Derek Heeren is a Professor, Irrigation Engineer, and Associate Head for Academic Programs in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Education Coordinator for Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. Derek has taught or co-taught eight courses and is coauthor of an open-access textbook entitled Irrigation Systems Management. He has also served as an advisor or coadvisor for 20 graduate students from nine countries.