Dr. Datta works as an Assistant Professor and Irrigation Engineer in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University. His appointment is split between research (75%) and teaching (25%), specializing in the development and application of smart-engineered technologies (soil moisture sensors and canopy temperature sensors) for irrigation water management for major crops in Oklahoma. His major focus is on leveraging data analytics from sensors, models, and AI (ML/DL) to develop packaged irrigation management solutions for farmers.

Since joining OSU in June of 2023, his research funding amounted to $10,303,696 with $877,490 being awarded to his program, as of 11/1/2025. He has attracted funding from federal agencies (USDA NIFA AFRI), state agencies (Oklahoma Mesonet, OSU RRI, etc.), crop commodity groups (Cotton Incorporated), and industries.

Although Dr. Datta does not have Extension appointment, he participates in Extension field days, in-service trainings, and Master Irrigator Program and conducts irrigation uniformity tests in Oklahoma panhandle and western Oklahoma, and published Extension Factsheets to convey research results to farmers in Oklahoma.

Dr. Datta teaches AST4203/5200 Agricultural Water Management course and has developed one new course on advanced techniques in irrigation water management (BAE 5030). He has participated in various student recruitment events. He has mentored a total of 15 graduate and undergraduate students.

Research Interests:

1. Irrigation Engineering
2. Irrigation Water Management
3. Machine Learning in Irrigation Management
4. Hydrological Impacts of Irrigation Water Use
5. Development of Packaged Irrigation Management Modules

Developed Tool for Oklahoma Farmers to Manage Irrigation:

• Oklahoma Agricultural Scientific Irrigation Scheduler - OASIS tool: https://irrigation.okstate.edu 

Personal Lab Website: https://sumondatta.faculty.bio/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumondatta/