College Welcomes Dean Indrajeet Chaubey Dean Chaubey comes to the College from Purdue University, where he has served as associ- ate dean and director of international programs in agriculture since 2016 and was professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. At UConn, his faculty appointment is in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. At Purdue, Chaubey also served as department head and as associate director of the Purdue Water Community. Previously, he was on the faculty of the Environmental Dynamics Program at the University of Arkansas and the Center for Freshwater Studies at the University of Alabama. Chaubey received his BS in agricultural engi- neering from the University of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, India; his MS in biological and agricultural engineering from the University of Arkansas; and his Ph.D. in biosystems engineering from Oklahoma State University. His research interests include the effects of land use on sediment, nutrient and metal transport; interaction of terrestrial and aquatic processes affecting water quality; application of GIS and remote sensing to develop support systems for decision making in ecosystem management; and development and assessment of best management practices to minimize nonpoint source pollution. In his most recent appointment, Chaubey developed collaborations with scientists in China, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Panama and Peru. Current projects with these collaborators are in the areas of effects of climate change on water availability and water quality in agricultural watersheds; development of methods and tools to improve uncertainty analyses in watershed models; and development of methods to improve flow and water quality predictions in ungauged basins. Chaubey was drawn by the College’s history of serving the citizens of Connecticut and beyond. “There is a strong commitment at CAHNR,” he said, “to the values I share around the land grant mission—integration of learning, discovery, exten- sion outreach in student centered approaches, inter- disciplinary research, diverse and inclusive culture, and extension outreach that has transformational impacts on the communities that we serve. Our fac- ulty and staff are working to positively impact agri- cultural production, economic development, natural resource sustainability and health of our communi- ties at regional, national and global scales.” During his first few months on the job, the new dean will meet with faculty, staff, students, partners and stakeholders, listening to ideas on how all can work together to help the College live up to its potential for excellence. Said Chaubey, “I plan to visit each department and its facilities and start a conversation on our strategies to empower faculty to excel in discovery, learning and engagement; to prepare our students to solve complex agricultural, food, natural resources and health problems of our society; and to create and foster an ecosystem where everyone feels included and works together to serve the citizens of Connecticut.” Chaubey’s wife, Shraddha Chaubey, is a registered dietitian. They have two children; daughter Ila attends the University of California, Berkeley, and son Amogh is a junior in high school. When Amogh is not busy with his homework or preparing for debate or robotics competitions, Chaubey enjoys playing ping-pong with him. - Article by Sara Putnam The faculty, staff and students of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources welcome our new dean, Indrajeet Chaubey. 4 2018 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION