KJ Reddy Receives UW's George Duke Humphrey Award

One by one, the student evaluation forms were tabulated. "On a scale of 1 to 5, how do you rate Professor KJ Reddy's workshop presentations on coalbed methane?" The results were unanimous. Every student in the workshop marked 5 in all of the evaluated categories. Many described the training as "excellent" and praised the instructor's enthusiasm for the subject.

Such acclaim is common for Reddy, associate director of the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources and professor in the Department of Renewable Resources. He has earned a reputation as one of UW's finest instructors.

Reddy this year received UW's George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award. Named for UW's 13th president who served from 1945-1964, the award recognizes teaching effectiveness, distinction in scholarly work, and distinguished service to the university and state. It is UW's highest faculty honor.

Reddy has acquired a long list of teaching and advising awards including UW highest teaching honor - the Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award.

Demonstrating outstanding research skills, Reddy has written or co-written more than 300 technical publications, including 39 journal articles, one book and 19 book chapters, and published seven patents.

"Professor Reddy is a world-recognized authority in the field of mineral carbonation using carbon dioxide to accelerate the otherwise slow process of mineral carbonation of industrial residues," says Professor Walter Wenzel at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences, Vienna, Austria. "He has published the results in top journals such as Environmental Science and Technology. This work has stimulated many studies by scientists and engineers around the world."

Additionally, Reddy is widely recognized for his innovative research on arsenic geochemistry and the related development of an economically and ecologically effective system to remove arsenic from poison water.

"I have consistently admired Dr. Reddy's unique embodiment of all the good traits a university professor should possess and have observed how he is a positive force in the life of any student, faculty member or client who has the good fortune to interact with him," wrote Reddy's colleague and former department head, Professor Tom Thurow in the Department of Renewable Resources.

Department of Renewable Resources Head John Tanaka points out that many scientific journals and local, national, and international scientific panels routinely seek Reddy's input.

"His research is important both locally and internationally," Professor Tanaka says. Thurow adds, "This research is significant to maintaining environmental quality and public health associated with the energy or agriculture industries that are of great importance within Wyoming and are also applicable to many other regions of the world."

Reddy created the unique interdisciplinary B.S. degree titled Energy Resource Science. He was recently elected secretary/treasurer for the Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders, a national organization that promotes energy research, education and communication.

"He is an excellent citizen of the department, college, and university," Tanaka adds. "His professional and personal collegiality with colleagues, staff, and students make him a role model for many."

Reddy earned his B.S. (1977) and M.S. (1980) in agriculture chemistry from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University in his home country of India and his Ph.D. (1986) in environmental quality from Colorado State University. He came to UW in 1986 as a research scientist and in 2000 was named assistant professor in the College of Agriculture. He was promoted to full professor in 2005.