People with Purpose: Vaishali Sharda

For Vaishali Sharda, making the most of every drop isn't just a metaphor — it's the foundation of her work.

An associate professor in biological and agricultural engineering and a University Outstanding Scholar, Sharda pairs a strong focus on student development with driving data-driven, sustainability-focused water research. Whether in the lab or the classroom, her work stays grounded in what matters, finding her purpose in advancing agriculture and water sustainability through meaningful collaboration.

Q: What day at K-State has been the most impactful for you?

Sharda: The day I got the notification that our $6 million NSF RII Track 2 has been funded. It brought into perspective the power of teamwork across disciplines and jurisdictions and opened the doors to an exciting, out-of-the-box research endeavor. That moment crystallized everything I believe about the power of collaborative science and validated the belief that the most pressing national challenges in environmental engineering require interdisciplinary partnerships across states.

The award opened doors to research questions we couldn't have tackled individually and positioned our team as leaders in biodegradable mulches. What made it so impactful was the realization that, from K-State, we can lead transformative research with national impact in our field. The ripple effects continue through the graduate students now working on cutting-edge projects and the new collaborations we're forming. That single day fundamentally changed the trajectory of my research program and proved what's possible when you combine an ambitious vision with collaborative execution.

 

Q: What is your favorite part about working with students?

Sharda: The relationships. I love seeing students learn and grow as they move through their degree programs at K-State. I especially love the stories about how they applied what they learned in my classes at work.

I have taught both technology and engineering courses as well as foundational courses, allowing me to impact students at multiple stages of their academic journey. Beyond the classroom, I have mentored over 15 graduate students, supporting their academic, professional and personal growth. It is especially rewarding to see their hard work recognized, as they have collectively earned more than 25 student awards.

These accomplishments reflect not only my dedication as an educator but also the success and potential of the students I have had the privilege to guide. This reminds me that education extends far beyond the classroom — the skills and knowledge we develop together have a lasting impact on their careers and lives. Building these connections with students and staying in touch as they advance in their professions is what makes teaching so rewarding and meaningful to me.

Q: What did you want to be when you were five years old?

Sharda: A doctor. I was fascinated by the idea of helping people and making them feel better, and the white coat and stethoscope seemed like magical tools capable of solving any problem. I still watch medical dramas on TV with the same fascination! While my career path ultimately led me to research in water resources rather than medicine, that early desire to help others has remained a driving force. In many ways, what I do now as a researcher still fulfills that childhood dream — instead of treating individual patients, I'm working to solve broader problems that can impact entire communities and advance our understanding in ways that benefit society.

Q: What is your favorite way to serve your profession and community?

Sharda: My favorite way to serve my profession and community is through student mentoring and development. I find it deeply rewarding to invest my time and effort in supporting the next generation of researchers, helping them build confidence, skills and a sense of purpose. Mentorship allows me to have a lasting impact beyond my own work by shaping future leaders in STEM fields.

This commitment is also personal — as a mom of a 20-year-old and a 12-year-old, I see firsthand how guidance, encouragement and opportunity shape young people's futures. I also value engaging in STEM outreach to K–12 students, as it helps spark curiosity and broaden access to scientific learning at an early stage.

Q: What do you feel is your most significant contribution to research at K-State?

Sharda: My research, which addresses the fundamental challenge of agricultural adaptation to external stressors such as environmental changes and water availability and translates large-scale forecasts and projections into farm-level decision support, is my most significant contribution to research at K-State so far. My research approach bridges an existing gap by integrating multiple data sources and modeling approaches at appropriate spatial scales.

Moving from Punjab, a water-stressed agricultural region in India, to the Great Plains during the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer exposed me to different manifestations of agricultural water scarcity. This, along with my professional progression through my prior positions, exposed me to climate-agriculture interfaces and water resource challenges.

Q: What is one thing people may not know about you?

Sharda: I love to cook and maintain a food blog called The Kitchen Docs. My blog focuses on easy, healthy recipes with an Indian flair, and I find that sharing food and recipes is one of the most universal ways to build community.

Cooking has always been my creative outlet and a way to connect with my Indian heritage while exploring flavors from around the world. I genuinely enjoy hosting and entertaining friends, creating meals that bring people together around the table and spark great conversations.

I also teach Indian cooking classes in Manhattan and enjoy sharing my culture with the local community. It's fascinating how the same curiosity and precision that drives my research also translates into experimenting with spices and developing new dishes in the kitchen.

Q: How does your work transform lives in Kansas and around the world?

Sharda: With the current state of our water resources, which are stressed and declining at an unsustainable pace, the work of my research group has the potential to directly transform lives in Kansas and beyond. By developing science-based strategies to improve the efficiency and resilience of water use in crop production systems, we help regional stakeholders make informed decisions, particularly during periods of water scarcity and climate variability.

This work supports the long-term viability of agriculture, which is central to Kansas' economy and national and global food security. At a broader scale, the insights and tools we generate can be adapted to similar water-limited regions worldwide. Ultimately, our research contributes to more sustainable resource management, benefiting both current communities and future generations.