Becca Muenich, an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas, received the Purdue University Agricultural & Biological Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award. This honor recognizes Muenich's exceptional contributions to the field, academic leadership, and enduring impact as a Purdue alumna. The awards ceremony was held by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, last month.

Muenich, who earned a bachelor's in biological engineering at the University of Arkansas and her master's and doctorate from Purdue University, conducts research and teaches courses with the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas and as part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Muenich is a leader in her field and public service, according to Terry Howell Jr., biological and agricultural engineering department head for the Division of Agriculture and the College of Engineering.

"Dr. Muenich left a great legacy at Purdue and has brought that leadership and service mindset to her role here," Howell said. "Her work is respected all over the world, and we are thrilled to celebrate this award with her."

During her time at Purdue, Muenich served as president of the Graduate Student Government, helped establish the Purdue Graduate Student Center, and was actively involved in the Women in Engineering Program, mentoring students from K-12 to graduate levels. Her dedication earned her multiple awards, including the France A. Cordova Leadership in Action Award, the Emily M. Wadsworth Graduate Mentoring Award, and Purdue's Agricultural & Biological Engineering Outstanding Service Award.

"At Purdue is where I really had the opportunity to expand my skills and experience in sustainable agricultural systems, in the heart of the Corn Belt," Muenich said. "It is also where I met my husband, Mike, and so Purdue always will have a special place in my heart!"

Since graduating from Purdue, Muenich has continued to make significant strides in research and education at both Arizona State University and her alma mater, the University of Arkansas. Collectively securing over $17 million in extramural funding as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator, directly mentoring five postdoctoral scholars, seven Ph.D. students, 14 master's students, and over 36 undergraduates.

Muenich's research, which focuses on watershed modeling for surface hydrology and water quality, has resulted in over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Her work identifies sustainable management solutions for agricultural and urban systems, addressing critical challenges at the landscape scale.

To learn more about recent work by Muenich and the University of Arkansas biological and agricultural engineering department, visit: https://engineering.uark.edu/bio-ag-engineering/.