Carmen Agouridis is the Senior Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and an Extension Professor of Ecosystem Protection and Restoration in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Agouridis’s research focuses on applying scientific methods to address current issues in natural resource management, particularly the restoration of water systems impacted by agricultural, urban, or mining activities. Her work explores ways to improve instream water quality through novel stream restoration techniques, stormwater management using low-impact development methods such as rain gardens and stormwater wetlands, and evaluating the effects of the forestry reclamation approach on the hydrology and water quality of mined lands.
She is a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on Earth Resources. Previously, she served as the director of the Stream and Watershed Graduate Certificate, co-director of the Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Certificate, and co-director of the Greenhouse Environment and Sustainability Residential College.
Dr. Agouridis has played a key role as a principal or co-principal investigator on research projects totaling over $9.4 million in grants. She has authored nearly 50 refereed publications and over 30 extension publications and has advised more than 30 undergraduate and graduate research projects. In recognition of her contributions to education, she received the American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineers’ 2014 A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award.
She is also a certified professional engineer in Kentucky. Dr. Agouridis holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and an M.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Additionally, she earned Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Business Administration, as well as a Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Kentucky.
Scholars@UK
Contaminant mixtures and their impact on nitrate removal in wetlands: A mesocosm study
Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Miller, D. N., Barton, C., Unrine, J. & Agouridis, C., May 2025, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 383, 125518.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The occurrence and persistence of surface water contaminants across different landscapes
Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Unrine, J., Barton, C., Agouridis, C. & Miller, D. N., Jan 1 2025, In: Science of the Total Environment. 958, 177837.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Conversion options for mining-affected lands and waters in appalachia
Zipper, C. E., Agouridis, C. T., Barton, C. D. & Skousen, J., Nov 25 2020, Appalachia's Coal-Mined Landscapes: Resources and Communities in a New Energy Era. p. 167-192 26 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Dynamics of streamflow permanence in a headwater network: Insights from catchment-scale model simulations
Mahoney, D. T., Christensen, J. R., Golden, H. E., Lane, C. R., Evenson, G. R., White, E., Fritz, K. M., D'Amico, E., Barton, C. D., Williamson, T. N., Sena, K. L. & Agouridis, C. T., May 2023, In: Journal of Hydrology. 620, 129422.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Numerical model development for investigating hydrologic pathways in shallow fluviokarst
Al Aamery, N., Adams, E., Fox, J., Husic, A., Zhu, J., Gerlitz, M., Agouridis, C. & Bettel, L., Feb 2021, In: Journal of Hydrology. 593, 125844.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sediment carbon fate in phreatic karst (Part 1): Conceptual model development
Husic, A., Fox, J., Agouridis, C., Currens, J., Ford, W. & Taylor, C., Jun 1 2017, In: Journal of Hydrology. 549, p. 179-193 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Reconnecting through stream restoration
Agouridis, C. T., Jan 1 2017, Water in Kentucky: Natural History, Communities, and Conservation. p. 163-169 7 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Specific conductivity sensor performance: I. Laboratory evaluation
Maupin, T. P., Agouridis, C. T., Barton, C. D., Warner, R. C. & Yu, X., Oct 2013, In: International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment. 27, 5, p. 329-344 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Development of Regional Curves for Hydrologic Landscape Regions (HLR) in the Contiguous United States
Blackburn-Lynch, W., Agouridis, C. T. & Barton, C. D., Aug 2017, In: Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 53, 4, p. 903-928 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Bankfull Regional Curves for the Inner and Outer Bluegrass Regions of Kentucky
Brockman, R. R., Agouridis, C. T., Workman, S. R., Ormsbee, L. E. & Fogle, A. W., Apr 2012, In: Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 48, 2, p. 391-406 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Moments, mentors, and ASABE opportunities
Agouridis, C., 2019, In: Resource: Engineering and Technology for Sustainable World. 26, 2, p. 11 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Bankfull hydraulic geometry relationships for the Inner and Outer Bluegrass regions of Kentucky
Agouridis, C., Brockman, R., Workman, S., Ormsbee, L. & Fogle, A., 2011, In: Water (Switzerland). 3, 3, p. 923-948 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Understanding ecosystems and their services through Apollo 13 and bottle models
Agouridis, C. T. & Sanderson, T. M., Jan 1 2016, Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. p. 89-96 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Forest establishment and water quality characteristics as influenced by spoil type on a loose-graded surface mine in eastern Kentucky
Angel, P. N., Barton, C. D., Warner, R. C., Agouridis, C., Taylor, T. & Hall, S. L., 2008, 25th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 10th Meeting of IALR 2008. p. 28-65 38 p. (25th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 10th Meeting of IALR 2008; vol. 1).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Bankfull frequency in rivers
Agouridis, C., Jan 1 2014, Handbook of Engineering Hydrology: Modeling, Climate Change, and Variability. p. 35-51 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Wetlands and coastal systems: Protecting and restoring valuable ecosystems
Agouridis, C. T., Douglas-Mankin, K. R., Linhoss, A. C. & Mittelstet, A. R., 2016, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 59, 5, p. 1301-1303 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Model for designing infiltration basins in tropical and subtropical climates with a focus on unpaved roads
da Silva, D. P., Pruski, F. F., Agouridis, C. T., da Silva, J. M. A. & Filho, W. D. M. M., 2014, In: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 19, 9, 06014003.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Inland impacts of atmospheric river and tropical cyclone extremes on nitrate transport and stable isotope measurements
Husic, A., Fox, J., Adams, E., Backus, J., Pollock, E., Ford, W. & Agouridis, C., Jan 1 2019, In: Environmental Earth Sciences. 78, 1, 36.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effect of soil sampling density and landscape features on soil test phosphorus
Stamper, D. J., Agouridis, C. T., Edwards, D. R. & Purschwitz, M. A., 2014, In: Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 30, 5, p. 773-781 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Influence of spoil type on afforestation success and natural vegetative recolonization on a surface coal mine in Appalachia, United States
Sena, K., Barton, C., Hall, S., Angel, P., Agouridis, C. & Warner, R., Mar 1 2015, In: Restoration Ecology. 23, 2, p. 131-138 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
UK Research Foundation - Peer Review
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Gumbert, A. (CoI) & Price, S. (CoI)
KY Department of Fish and Wildlife
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
UK Research Foundation - Peer Review FY23 Kentucky
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), Gumbert, A. (CoI) & Price, S. (CoI)
KY Department of Fish and Wildlife
4/28/23 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Summer Service Learning Internship 2018
Pennell, K. (PI), Agouridis, C. (CoI) & Ormsbee, L. (Former PI)
5/15/18 → 11/30/18
Project: Research project
HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative - 2004
Warner, R. (PI), Agouridis, C. (CoI), Dowdy, T. (CoI), Fehr, R. (CoI), KELLY, R. (CoI) & Workman, S. (CoI)
5/1/04 → 12/31/05
Project: Research project
104B State Water Resources Research Institute Scope 19: Evaluating and Addressing Climate Awareness and Water in Kentucky
Agouridis, C. (PI) & Cagle, L. (CoI)
6/18/18 → 8/31/19
Project: Research project
Effects of Stream Restoration on Pollutant Load Reductions in an Urban Watershed: 104B State Water Resources Research Institute Program 2017
Agouridis, C. (PI)
3/1/17 → 2/28/18
Project: Research project
State Water Institute Program Scope 7: Hydrologic characterization of a tree- and schrub-vegetated rain garden
Agouridis, C. (PI)
3/1/11 → 2/28/13
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase VI
Agouridis, C. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI) & Warner, R. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
9/1/10 → 8/31/13
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Graduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: Undergraduate Students: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
Participant Support Scope: NRT: IN FElloWS & an Academy of Innovators at the Nexus of Food, Energy & Water Systems
Santillan-Jimenez, E. (PI), Barton, C. (CoI), DeBolt, S. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Agouridis, C. (CoPI), Escobar, I. (CoPI), Mark, T. (CoPI), Crocker, M. (Former PI) & Landon, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/19 → 8/31/25
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: Expanding Your Horizons - a STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Agouridis, C. (PI), Andrews, R. (CoI), Crocker, E. (CoI), Hirsch, R. (CoI), Odom, S. (CoI), Williams, F. (CoI), Kim, S. (Former CoI) & Van Cleve, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/17 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
NSF EPSCoR: Expanding Your Horizons - a STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Agouridis, C. (PI), Andrews, R. (CoI), Crocker, E. (CoI), Hirsch, R. (CoI), Odom, S. (CoI), Williams, F. (CoI), Kim, S. (Former CoI) & Van Cleve, J. (Former CoI)
9/1/17 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
104B State Water Resources Research Institute Scope 5: Bankfull regional curves and hydraulic geometry for the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field
Agouridis, C. (PI)
3/1/16 → 2/28/17
Project: Research project
BOOST H2O (Helping Hydrologic Outreach) in Indonesia and Turkey
Fryar, A. (PI), Agouridis, C. (CoI), Hanley, C. (CoI), Reed, M. (CoI) & Tanaka, K. (CoI)
9/13/12 → 3/31/14
Project: Research project
Precision Agriculture: Precision Resource Management - Phase III - Scope 7
Barton, C. (PI) & Agouridis, C. (CoI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
9/15/06 → 9/14/09
Project: Research project
Engaging Partners in a Comprehensive Watershed Project, Urban Waters Small Grant
Hanley, C. (PI), Hanley, C. (PI) & Agouridis, C. (CoI)
Environmental Protection Agency
8/1/12 → 7/31/15
Project: Research project
FY 2011 Class B Education Incentive Grant Project: Improving Water Quality Through Public Outreach and K-12 Schools in Fayette County
Hanley, C. (PI), Hanley, C. (PI) & Agouridis, C. (CoI)
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
12/9/10 → 6/30/12
Project: Research project
Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES)
Warner, R. (PI), Agouridis, C. (CoI), Barton, C. (CoI) & Unrine, J. (CoI)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
7/1/11 → 6/30/16
Project: Research project
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Master of Business Administration, University of Kentucky
- Master of Public Policy, University of Kentucky
- Master of Science, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Tennessee
- Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Engineering, University of Tennessee
Associated Departments
Center for Student Success