Theme: Biological and Ecological Engineering
John Selker Oral History Interview
Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
August 25, 2015
John Selker (b. 1960) is a Distinguished Professor of Biological and Ecological Engineering
whose research has specialized in water resources engineering with a particular focus
on developing low-cost technical solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges
faced by the developing world. A veteran traveler who spent his initial years after
college leading cook stove programs in Africa and Asia, Selker is also a driving force
behind the Trans-African Hydro and Meteorological Observatory project, an initiative
that is using a collection of small weather stations to provide more accurate meteorological
information to the continent's agriculturalists. Selker's interview focuses on his
formative experiences traveling and working in Africa; his institutional memories
of agricultural engineering at OSU; and his continuing efforts to improve quality
of life for some of the planet's most vulnerable populations.