Dr. Khandakar Islam | Soil | Award for Soil Education

Dr. Khandakar Islam, Ohio State University, United States

Dr. Khandakar Rafiq Islam is a Program Director of Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources at The Ohio State University South Centers. He specializes in climate-smart agriculture, soil health, water management, organic farming, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation. With a Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Quality from the University of Maryland, he has extensive experience in research, teaching, and international collaboration. A Fulbright Teaching Fellow and recipient of multiple awards, including the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Fellowship, he has led numerous projects on sustainable agriculture and published widely in peer-reviewed journals.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Khandakar Rafiq Islam is an exceptional candidate for the Award for Soil Education due to his extensive teaching, research, mentorship, and international outreach. His expertise in climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and sustainable land management has contributed significantly to soil science education globally. While he has received multiple awards for his research and mentoring, expanding his digital education footprint and public outreach could further strengthen his candidacy.

🎓 Education

Rafiq Islam holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Quality from the University of Maryland, USA. He earned an M.S. in Soil and Water Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and a B.S. in Soil and Environmental Sciences from Dhaka University, Bangladesh.

💼Experience

Dr. Islam has been the Program Director for Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources at The Ohio State University South Centers since 2002. He is also a Faculty Affiliate at the Ohio Sustainability Institute and the School of Environment and Natural Resources. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised graduate students, and served as a technical resource person for Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and OSU Extension Outreach. He has extensive international experience, including serving as a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in Turkey and a Visiting Professor at Satbayev University, Kazakhstan.

🔬Research Focus

His research focuses on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable soil and water management, organic farming, biochar applications, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation of contaminated soils. He has led numerous projects on soil fertility, nutrient management, and conservation agriculture while collaborating internationally on sustainable agricultural initiatives.

Awards

Dr. Islam has received numerous honors, including the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Fellowship Award (2024), Washington-Mandela Fellowship Ringleader Award (2023), American Council for International Education Awards (2021, 2019), and the USDA-Borlaug Mentor Award for visits to multiple countries. He was also a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in Turkey and a recipient of the No-Till Researcher and Educator Award from the Ohio No-Till Council.

Dr. Islam specializes in climate-smart agriculture, soil health and water management, organic farming, carbon sequestration, tillage, cover crops, marginal soil restoration, and biomaterial production. His expertise includes plant-induced abiotic and biocontrol services, agricultural research, and mentoring.

Publications

Impact of gypsum applications and cover crop on soybean (Glycine max) elemental composition
- Authors: Gonzalez, J.M., Dick, W.A., Watts, D.B., Reeder, R.C., Shedekar, V.S.
- Journal: Agricultural and Environmental Letters
- Year: 2025
- Citations: 0

Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination for Soil Reclamation: Implications for Sustainable Urban Development
- Authors: Saparov, G., Dutbayev, Y., Amanzholkyzy, A., Trushin, M., Kozlov, A.
- Journal: International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 0

Predicting Accumulation and Potential Edge-of-Field Loss of Phosphorus to Surface Water from Diverse Ecosystems
- Authors: Rahman, A., Islam, K.R., Ahsan, S., Didenko, N.O., Sundermeier, A.P.
- Journal: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 0

Increased humic materials explain aggregate-protected carbon and nitrogen accumulation in biochar-amended tropical soils
- Authors: Amoakwah, E., Rahman, M.A., Islam, K.R., Asirifi, I., Arthur, E.
- Journal: Pedosphere
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 1

Phytoremediation of contaminated urban soils spiked with heavy metals
- Authors: Yelikbayev, B.K., Imanbek, F., Jamalova, G.A., Kalogerakis, N.E., Islam, K.R.
- Journal: Eurasian Journal of Soil Science
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 0

Cover crops, crop rotation, and gypsum, as conservation practices, impact Mehlich-3 extractable plant nutrients and trace metals
- Authors: Gonzalez, J.M., Dick, W.A., Islam, K.R., Reeder, R.C., Shedekar, V.S.
- Journal: International Soil and Water Conservation Research
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 2
Forty-two years impact of chemical fertilization on soil phosphorus partition and distribution under rice-based cropping systems
- Authors: Biswas, C., Ferdous, J., Sarker, R.R., Islam, K.R., Jahangir, M.M.R.
- Journal: PLoS ONE
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 0

Mulching to improve sweet potato production
- Authors: Sapakhova, Z., Islam, K.R., Toishimanov, M., Shamekova, M., Zhambakin, K.
- Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 1

Conclusion:

Dr. Islam’s proven track record in soil science education, mentorship, curriculum development, and international collaboration makes him a highly deserving candidate for the Research Award for Soil Education. His work has empowered students, researchers, and professionals worldwide, ensuring a lasting impact on soil education, sustainability, and global food security. Strengthening digital education and public advocacy could further enhance his contributions to the field.

Khandakar Islam | Soil | Award for Soil Education