Growing resilience through new connections

Prasanta Kalita’s thoughts on the recovery of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul

Water is essential to life, and its management is critical to both human survival and environmental sustainability. For Prasanta Kalita, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, water resources are at the heart of his groundbreaking research on agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience. This past summer, Kalita had the opportunity to expand his global network through a research-focused trip to Brazil, where he connected with leading experts in water management, climate change, and sustainable agriculture.

The trip, which took place from July 27-August 5, was funded and planned through a Brasillinois research grant, and the itinerary was developed with the goal of fostering international academic partnerships. It offered Kalita a chance to exchange knowledge with Brazilian colleagues, explore new research opportunities, and discuss potential collaborations to address urgent global challenges related to water and climate change. Kalita also experienced a new side of Brazil, building fantastic connections and experiencing beautiful scenery throughout the Brazilian countryside.

Kalita’s first stop was at FAPESP, the Sao Paulo Research Foundation, where he met with researchers to discuss opportunities for projects on water resources, environmental sustainability, and food security. At the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Kalita met with key faculty members to discuss current research projects and potential collaborations. Their discussions focused on improving water quality through innovative agricultural practices and exploring sustainable solutions to global water shortages. In Piracicaba, there were many discussions of new research focusing on food security as well as building many new connections and strengthening existing relationships. A fundamental cross-cultural research collaboration occurred in Piracicaba as well, as Prof. Jarbas Honorio de Miranda, University of São Paulo and Kalita worked on two grants for funding from FAPESP.

A significant part of the visit was dedicated to addressing the recent tragic flooding events in southern Brazil. Kalita witnessed the impact of these floods firsthand on agricultural landscapes and discussed strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather with local experts. These conversations are expected to lead to research on flood management, climate resilience, and the adaptation of agricultural systems to unpredictable weather patterns. One of these local researchers was Ludmilla Baethgen a biological analyst for the State Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (SEAPI), who took Kalita to see a beautiful sunset in Porto Alegre that allowed for a personal look at all the damage that had been done by the flooding. Also, in Porto Alegre, Kalita visited the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, where he discussed the intersection of water management and health with faculty members and researchers. He participated in tours from the international office and had many fruitful meetings with faculty. He also had opportunities to connect with the rector of the university. At UFCSPA, Kalita also led a seminar that became a fruitful discussion between himself and the attendees discussing many of the pressing issues of water and flood management.

These connections and opportunities were new and laid out by University of Illinois System Representative in Brazil, Pedro Hallal. These discussions and lab visits while in Brazil laid the groundwork for future research on health, climate change, and water security. Throughout his visit, Kalita emphasized the importance of long-term academic partnerships that include individual projects and larger institutional collaborations.

In addition to research collaborations, Kalita discussed opportunities for student exchanges of research, including plans for online courses with Brazilian faculty in the University of Illinois System to expand the connection between the University of Illinois and universities in Brazil to connect the students in both countries for cross- cultural experiences and problem solving. The connections forged during this trip are expected to have a lasting impact on both the University of Illinois and Brazilian research communities. By continuing to foster these international partnerships, Kalita and his collaborators are paving the way for innovations that could transform how the world manages water in the face of climate change. As the global demand for water continues to rise, and climate change leads to more natural disasters, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more pressing. Kalita’s visit to Brazil is just one step toward addressing these challenges—and a powerful reminder of the importance of cross-border collaboration in solving the world’s most pressing environmental issues.