Chris J. Johannsen – Career Synopsis

Dr. Johannsen is Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Director Emeritus of the Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing (LARS) at Purdue University.   He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Nebraska in Agronomy (1959 and 1961, respectively) and his Ph.D. in Soil Physics from Purdue University (1969).   Johannsen's professional experience includes employment with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, Chevron Chemical Company, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of California-Davis, Space Imaging Inc and Purdue University.

Dr. Johannsen first joined the Agronomy faculty at Purdue University in 1963 developing a land use extension position and later teaching and conducting soil physics research relating to remote sensing applications of soil resources and land use.   He served as a program leader of LARS from 1966 to 1972.   From 1972 to 1985 he held research and extension positions at the University of Missouri and was a visiting scientist at the University of California (1980-81).   In 1985 he returned to Purdue University as Director of the Agricultural Data Network (ADN) and was also appointed Director of LARS.   From 1988-96 he served as Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute (renamed the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Institute in 1994), which had LARS within its structure.   In 1996-97, he was a Visiting Chief Scientist with Space Imaging Inc developing agricultural applications of remote sensing.

He is Co-Editor of a book titled "Remote Sensing for Resource Management," contributor to 11 book chapters and author or co-author of over 225 papers and articles.   He served as International President of the Soil and Water Conservation Society in 1982-83.   He is currently active in many professional societies including SWCS, the American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and the International Union of Soil Science.

He has served on many national and international committees and activities including:

His professional accomplishments and contributions are:

His awards and specific recognitions are:

Dr. Johannsen is a Fellow of five societies: the American Society of Agronomy (1981), the Soil Science Society of America (1981), the Soil and Water Conservation Society (1985) the American Society of Photogrammetry of Remote Sensing (2000) and the Indiana Academy of Science (2002).  Other honors and awards include the Certificate of Achievement, Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association (2006); Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, SWCS (2005); Global Facilitator Award (2004), International Service Award (2000, 1987), Certificate of Achievement, Epsilon Sigma Phi; Career Award, Purdue Cooperative Extension Specialist Association (2003); Alumni Merit Award, University of Nebraska (1995); Outstanding Service Award - ASPRS (1992), SWCS (1978); NASA Technology Innovation Award (1979); National President Citation - ASPRS (1991), SWCS (1990, 1981); and Distinguished Service Award, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (1982); and National SWCS Commendation Award (1975).  He is a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Sigma Gamma Epsilon honoraries.  He is listed in Who's Who in American Men and Women of Science; Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the Midwest; Who's Who in Technology Today; Who's Who in Environment and Energy Management; Who's Who in Science and Engineering; Men of Achievement, Lexington Who's Who and The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership

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