Rate My Professor Thomas Costello

Thomas Costello served as an associate professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in Fayetteville, contributing significantly to Agricultural and Veterinary Science through his expertise in sustainable agricultural practices. Possessing a Ph.D. and Professional Engineer (P.E.) designation, Costello's research centered on animal waste management, biofuels, and microenvironmental controls in agricultural structures. His work addressed critical challenges in poultry production, including energy audits for broiler houses to mitigate peak demand, as detailed in his co-authored 2024 paper 'Measurement of dynamic electric consumption trend in a broiler house in Arkansas' published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. He also authored 'Partial Composting for Biodrying Organic Materials' (FSA-1055), exploring efficient organic waste processing techniques. Additional research efforts encompassed liquid-state poultry litter digesters producing struvite and biogas, three-state projects on clean energy from hog manure, and manure management with algal nutrient removal to reduce swine greenhouse gas emissions. These initiatives promoted resource recovery and environmental sustainability in livestock operations.

In his teaching role, Costello demonstrated exceptional leadership in the biological engineering senior design capstone course, guiding students through hands-on prototyping, client collaborations, mentoring, and community outreach projects. His mentorship led student teams to multiple top-three finishes in national design competitions, including victories in 2010 and subsequent years. For these accomplishments, he was awarded the John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award in 2011 by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Costello retired from his position in January 2024, leaving a legacy of impactful research and education in biological and agricultural engineering that advanced Agricultural and Veterinary Science.