Ximing Cai

Professor Ximing Cai is a distinguished academic at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding the Ben Chie Yen Professorship in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the College of Engineering. He also maintains significant affiliations with the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), and the Center for Digital Agriculture. As a leading researcher in water resources systems, Professor Cai serves as Editor for Water Resources Research, the flagship journal of water resources published by the American Geophysical Union, and sits on the editorial boards of other major water journals.

Professor Cai's academic credentials include a B.S. in Hydraulic Engineering from Tsinghua University (1990), an M.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources from the same institution (1994), and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin (1999). His career at the University of Illinois spans over two decades, progressing from Assistant Professor in 2003 through Associate Professor to his current named professorship status.

Professor Cai is recognized as a research pioneer in integrated hydrologic-economic modeling for river basin management and water systems operations. His work focuses on coupled human-natural system analysis with particular emphasis on human interferences in hydrological processes. He has made significant contributions to water-energy-food system modeling, especially in dry areas, and sustainable water resources management in developing countries. His interdisciplinary approach connects hydrology and economics to develop innovative water management policies and solutions. In 2019, he was elected as an AGU Fellow for "forging a new science of hydrologic change accounting for human interaction and using it to advance water resources management." His research has resulted in over 110 peer-reviewed journal papers, three books, and several monographs.

Analysis of Professor Cai's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated modeling of human-water systems interactions. His work spans from large-scale reservoir system analysis across the United States to machine learning applications for evapotranspiration modeling. A consistent theme throughout his career is the integration of human dimensions into hydrological models, reflecting his leadership in coupled human-water systems research. His recent work shows growing emphasis on climate change adaptation, sustainability metrics, and transdisciplinary integration approaches to address complex water challenges. The interdisciplinary nature of his publications spans hydrology, environmental science, engineering, economics, and policy journals.

• NSF CAREER award (2008)
• Best Research Paper Awards from Water International and Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
• Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Scholar, College of Engineering, UIUC (2013)
• Colonel Harry F. and Frankie M. Lovell Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering (2014)
• Environ. and Water Resources Institute (ASCE) Service to the Profession Award (2015)
• UIUC Sesquicentennial Celebration Culminating Research Symposia Award (2017)
• American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow (2019)
• 2023 Julian Hinds Award from Am. Soc. of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• 2024 Warren Hall Medal from University Council of Water Resources (UCOWR)

Professor Cai has secured substantial research funding from major federal agencies including the National Science Foundation (serving on numerous CAREER and Environmental Sustainability proposal panels), Department of Energy, and NASA. His international consulting work with the World Bank, United Nations, International Food Policy Research Institute, OECD, and McKinsey & Company demonstrates the real-world impact of his research. He has advised on water resources sustainability in China, climate change impacts on agriculture, and Nile Basin decision support systems. Professor Cai serves in leadership roles including Executive Member of the Working Group for Circular Bioeconomy Initiative (ASABE) and Chair of the Task Force Committee on Downscaling SDGs to National, Basin and Local Scales (IWRA).

Professor Cai's research is conducted through multiple collaborative frameworks across the University of Illinois campus. His affiliation with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) provides access to high-performance computing resources essential for complex water systems modeling at scale. The Center for Digital Agriculture connection facilitates interdisciplinary work on water-food nexus challenges, while the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies supports his international research perspective. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in water resources engineering, surface water hydrology, geographic information systems, and river basin management, contributing to the education of future water resources professionals.