Research Description
Professor Ximing Cai is a research pioneer in integrated hydrologic-economic modeling for river basin management and water systems operations. His current research areas include coupled human-natural system analysis with an emphasis on human interferences in hydrological processes, water-energy-food system modeling especially in dry areas, and sustainable water resources management particularly in developing countries. He has authored or co-authored more than 110 peer-reviewed journal papers, three books and several monographs. He currently serves as Editor for Water Resources Researchthe flagship journal of water resources, published by the American Geophysical Union, and on the editorial board of other major water journals. He has received several awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER award and best paper awards from Water International and the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. He has worked as a consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations and other international agencies.
Courses Taught
Professor Cai teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in water resources engineering, surface water hydrology and application of geographic information systems, and river basin management.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Ben Chie Yen Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
Professor, Center for Digital Agriculture, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
External Links
Recent Publications
Cai, X. (2026). Human Interference Quantification and Representation in Hydrological Models—Introduction to the Special Collection on Quantifying Human Interferences in Hydrology. Water Resources Research, 62(2), Article e2025WR041489. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025WR041489
Shi, H., Cai, X., Hu, X., Jamal, A., Li, D., Sun, C., & Liang, X. Z. (2026). A sub-seasonal to seasonal climate forecast informed irrigation scheduling tool for the Contiguous United States. Environmental Modelling and Software, 197, Article 106819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106819
Vora, A., & Cai, X. (2026). A Diagnostic Framework and Data Inventory to Analyze Human Intervention on Streamflow. Water Resources Research, 62(2), Article e2025WR041029. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025WR041029
Yang, P., & Cai, X. (2026). Filling the cellulosic bio-economy gap by utilizing a wedge approach combined with stakeholder collaboration. Renewable Energy, 262, Article 125419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2026.125419
Cai, X. (2025). Circular Economy: Opportunities for Water Resources Management. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 151(8), Article 02525002. https://doi.org/10.1061/JWRMD5.WRENG-6860