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
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
Colonel Harry F. & Frankie M. Lovell Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Associate Director for Campus Sustainability, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
External Links
Recent Publications
Leibensperger, C., Yang, P., Zhao, Q., Wei, S., & Cai, X. (2021). The synergy between stakeholders for cellulosic biofuel development: Perspectives, opportunities, and barriers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 137, [110613]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110613
Zhao, Q., Li, D., & Cai, X. (2021). Online generic diagnostic reservoir operation tools. Environmental Modelling and Software, 135, [104918]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104918
Apurv, T., & Cai, X. (2020). Drought Propagation in Contiguous U.S. Watersheds: A Process-Based Understanding of the Role of Climate and Watershed Properties. Water Resources Research, 56(9), [e2020WR027755]. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027755
Apurv, T., & Cai, X. (2020). Impact of Droughts on Water Supply in U.S. Watersheds: The Role of Renewable Surface and Groundwater Resources. Earth's Future, 8(10), [e2020EF001648]. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EF001648
Celeste, A. B., Cai, X., Ponnambalam, K., & Zhao, Q. (2020). New Considerations for a Reservoir Capacity Optimizer That Accounts for Failure Risks. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 146(5), [06020003]. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0001199