Dan Andersen

Graduate Research Assistant

Resume

Published Papers

Education:
B.S., Mechanical Engineering & Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, 2007
M.S., Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Current

Thesis Project:
Modeling the Performance of Vegetative Treatment Control Systems on Open Beef Feedlots

Awards and Honors: 2007-Cowell Fellowship2004-Present-Tau Beta Pi-Engineering Honor Society2004-Present-Pi Tau Sigma-Mechanical Engineering Honor Society2005-Nominated for Foundation in Excellence in Leadership Award2004-National Residence Hall Honorary-UW-Platteville

Involvement in Organizations:
Current-American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
2002 to Present-American Society of Mechanical Engineers
          UW-Platteville Chapter Secretary-Spring 2006-Fall 2006
2006 to Present-American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
          UW-Platteville Chapter Vice President-Fall 2006
2007 to Present-Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Organization
           Treasurer- Fall 2007 to Present
           Graduate and Pre-professional Student Senate Representative-Fall2007 to Present.

Current Research:

I am currently conducting research on the use of vegetative treatment systems to control runoff from beef feedlots. My master's project is to calibrate the models that are currently being used to design and license sites in Iowa wishing to use to utilize this technology. The current models are based on literature that was available at the time of model development. The implementation of full-scale systems throughout Iowa has provided more data on which to base these models and improve our understanding of these systems. The use of this data in calibrating and modifying these models will improve our prediction capability and determine where this technology can best be utilized.

My current graduate project has allowed me to expand my knowledge about waste management systems and the effects that agriculture has on water quality. Water and soil quality is an extremely important issue as we look to the future of agriculture and how it will be impacted by stricter regulations on water quality. These stricter regulations will place greater demands than ever on waste management systems, and as we look toward the future of agriculture, waste management will be an area where new technologies will need to be continuously developed and implemented to keep pace with the demands being placed on these systems. During my time as a student at ISU I hope to increase our understanding of vegetative treatment technologies and improve the vegetative treatment models, which will improve these systems and lead to greater implementation of this technology or more feedlots.

Future Plans

After completion of my master's degree, I plan to pursue a doctorate in agricultural engineering, specifically in the area of waste management. I hope to find a doctorate project that will allow me to continue to research topics dealing with both waste management and water quality, similar to my current project. After I have achieved my educational goals, I plan to seek a position either as an extension agent or as an engineering consultant; this would allow me to increase my professional experience and to gain a better understanding of the types of problems that a professional engineer typically encounters. As an added benefit, this professional experience would better prepare me for a future as a professor. The practical engineering experience will allow me to more effectively assist students in their research. Eventually I would like to pursue a faculty position teaching topics on soil and water conservation or waste management to engineering students. A part of this faculty position, I would like to pursue research dealing with different aspects of nutrient management and its relation to water quality.