Josué Medellín-Azuara

Assistant Project Scientist
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering

3019 Engineering Unit III
University of California, Davis,
One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616

Telephone: + 1 (530) 752 9708
Email:jmedellin@ucdavis.edu

 

 

AREAS OF INTEREST

  • Water resources management
  • Hydroeconomic modeling
  • Agricultural and urban water demands
  • Climate change and adaptation

    Josué Medellín is interested in hydro-economic modeling of water resources, climate change and economic representation of water demands. His professional experience includes environmental management positions for industry, and consulting for non-governmental organizations such as the Natural Heritage Institute, El Colegio de Mexico   and the   World Bank .  He has led hydro-economic studies on adaptation to climate change in California, water management in the US Mexico border having developed Baja CALVIN in collaboration the University of Baja California.

    Josué Medellín holds from UC Davis a master‘s degree in agricultural and resource economics and a Ph.D. in ecology with his dissertation on water management for   restoring the Colorado River Delta. Since 2005, Josué has collaborated with Professor Jay R. Lund as a senior modeler for CALVIN for in numerous applications including climate change, adaptation and economic costs of salinity in California. With Professor Howitt, Josué has updated and extended applications of the Statewide Agricultural Production Model ( SWAP ),  including water markets, water quality and policy studies in California and areas of the world. Josué Medellín is a research scientist affiliated to the Center for Watershed Sciences of UC Davis.

 


EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. (2006) Ecology, water resources management, University of California, Davis. 
  • MS (2003) Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis.
  • MBA (1998) Master in Business Administration, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Monterrey, Mexico.
  • BS (1993) Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Monterrey, Mexico.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

USA
2009-

 Research Fellow (Project Scientist Step III), UC Davis Civil and Env. Engr.

Researcher in the Delta Solutions Program of the Center for Watershed Sciences.
USA
2007-

Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Davis Civil and Env. Engr.

  • Researcher for the report: Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Public Policy Institute of California. 
  • Led the research project on Water management adaptation with climate change. California Climate Change Center.
  • Lead researcher for the project: water supply analysis for Baja California
USA
 2007-2008

Consultant, Natural Heritage Institute.

Drafting of water resources management scenarios for the transboundary Physical Assessment Project of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin.

  • Draft water policy scenarios in consensus with other parties in the project
  • Technical review of simulated water policy scenarios
USA
2005-2006

 Consultant, El Colegio de México’s Program for the Study of Economic Change and Sustainability in Mexican Agriculture (PRECESAM) and The World Bank


Project: México Economic Sector Work (ESW) Economic Assessment of Policy Interventions in the Water Sector. Evaluation of policy”.  Conceptualizing and building a partial equilibrium, agricultural demand model for the transboundary Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin (case study for the project).


USA
2005-2006

 Research Assistant, UC Davis Civil and Env. Engr. Professor Jay R. Lund.
     

Led modeling research for the Project “Climate Change and Water Resources Impacts and Adaptation in California”. Led modeling research for the project “Market Based Water Management and Reuse for Agricultural, Urban and Environmental Uses in Baja California”.Organized and led Training for the short course “California Value Integrated Network (CALVIN)”

USA
2003-2005

 Director, Aquatic Toxicology Outreach Program (ATOP), UC Davis Environmental Toxicology.

Performed bioassays to test water toxicity on water samples collected by high school students within the Sacramento River watershed. Managed and ran the ATOP. A multidisciplinary internship program for undergraduate students. Responsible for securing funding and operations.
USA
2002-2005

 Research Assistant, UC Davis Ag. and Res. Economics. Professor J. Edward Taylor.

Developed and used general equilibrium models for policy evaluation.
México
1997-2000

Environmental Coordinator, Navistar International Mexico
Responsible for wastewater treatment facility operation, air emissions monitoring, waste disposal, government permitting. Led ISO 14001 registration project.

 
México
1994-1997

Project Engineer, Corporativo Copamex, S.A. de C.V.,

In charge of supervising civil work, machine installation, and engineering structural and hydraulic design for projects in a pulp and paper firm, in the corporate engineering department.

PUBLICATIONS

Referred Journal Papers

Harou, J., Medellín-Azuara, J., Zhu, T., Tanaka, S., Lund, J., Stine, S., Olivares, M. and M. Jenkins (In Press) Extreme Drought and Water Management in California. In Press, Water Resources Research.

Medellin-Azuara, J, Harou, J.J. and R.E. Howitt. (In Press). Economic value of agricultural water and the role of spatial aggregation in calibrated normative methods. In Press, Journal of the Science of the Total Environment.

Harou, J., Pulido-Velazquez, M.A., Rosemberg, D.E., Medellin-Azuara, J.,  Lund, J.R., Howitt, R.E.  (2009), Hydro-economic Models: Concepts, Design, Applications, and Future Prospects,375:334-350.

Waller-Barrera, C., Mendoza-Espinosa, L. G., Medellín-Azuara, J. and J.R. Lund, (2009) Optimización económico-ingenieril del suministro agrícola y urbano: una aplicación de reuso del agua en Ensenada, Baja California, Revista Ingeniería Hidráulica en México, 24(4):87-103.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G.,  Lund, J.R., Harou, J.J., and Howitt, R.E. (2009) Virtues of simple hydro-economic optimization networks: Baja California, Mexico. Journal of Environmental Management, 90 (11):3470-3478.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Lund, J.R., Howitt, R.E. (2009). A calibrated agricultural water demand model for three regions in northern Baja California, Agrociencia, 43(2):83-96.

Medellin-Azuara, J., L.G. Mendoza-Espinosa, J.R. Lund, and R.E. Howitt (2008).   Hydro-economic analysis of water supply for the binational tranboundary region of Baja California, Mexico,   Water Science and Technology: Water Supply,   8 (2):189-196.

Medellin-Azuara, J., L.G. Mendoza-Espinosa, J.R. Lund, and R.E. Howitt (2008). Hydro-economic analysis of water supply for the binational tranboundary region of Baja California, Mexico, Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 8(2):189-196 Medellín-Azuara, J. Harou, J.J., Olivares, M.A., Madani, K., Lund, J.R., Howitt, R.E., Tanaka, S., Jenkins, M.W., and Zhu, T. (2008) Adaptability and Adaptations of California’s Water Supply System to Dry Climate Warming. Forthcoming in Climatic Change, 87 (Suppl 1):S75–S90.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Lund, J.R. and Howitt, R.E. (2007) Water Supply Analysis for Restoring the Colorado River Delta, México. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 133(5):462-471.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Lund, J.R., Ramirez-Acosta, R.J. (2007) The application of economic-engineering optimization for water management in Ensenada, Baja California, México. Water Science and Technology, 55(1-2):339-347.

Medellín-Azuara, J. and J.R. Lund (2006). Systems Analysis for Restoring the Lower Colorado River Delta. Pacific McGeorge Global Business & Development Law Journal, 19(1) 2006.

 

Papers in Review

Harou, J., Medellín-Azuara, J., Zhu, T., Tanaka, S., Lund, J., Stine, S., Olivares, M. and M. Jenkins Extreme Drought and Water Management in California. Submitted to Water Resources Research, December, 2008.

Medellin-Azuara, J, Harou, J.J. and R.E. Howitt. (2008). Economic value of agricultural water and the role of spatial aggregation in calibrated normative methods. Submitted to Science of the Total Environment, November, 2008.

 

Working Papers

Medellín-Azuara, J. Analysis of urban water demand in five border cities in Baja California.  In preparation for submission.

Howitt, R.E., Medellin-Azuara, J.Lund, J.R. et al, Economic Modeling of Agriculture in California with water quality effects.

 

Books and Book Chapters

Guerrero, H., Yunez-Naude A. and Medellin-Azuara, J., (2008). El Agua en Mexico: Consecuencias de las políticas de intervención en el sector. Lecturas El Trimestre Económico 100. México, D.F.: Fondo de Cultura Económica.

Howitt, R.E. and Medellín-Azuara, J. (2008) Un Modelo Regional Agrícola de Equilibrio Parcial: El Caso de la Cuenca del Río Bravo in Guerrero, H., Yunez-Naude, A. and Medellín-Azuara, J. ed. El Agua en Mexico: Consecuencias de las políticas de intervención en el sector. Lecturas El Trimestre Económico 100. México, D.F.: Fondo de Cultura Económica.

Ramírez-Acosta, R.J., Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Medellín-Azuara, J. y Lund, J.R. (2006). Economía, población y eficiencia para el abastecimiento futuro de agua potable en Baja California, en Mungaray-Lagarda, A. y Ocegueda-Hernández, J.M. (Ed.), Estudios Económicos sobre Baja California. (p. 199), México, D.F.: Miguel Angel Porrúa.

 

Research Reports

Howitt, R.E., Medellin-Azuara, J. , MacEwan, D.J. (2009). Measuring the Employment Impacts of Water Reductions. Technical Note, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Center for Watershed Sciences. University of California, Davis, California. Available at <  http://swap.ucdavis.edu >, last access: September 2009.

Howitt, R.E., MacEwan D., Medellin-Azuara, J. (2009). Economic Impact of Reductions in Delta Exports on the Central Valley Agriculture. Agricultural and Resource Economics Update,Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, University of California. Avaliable online at < http://www.agecon.ucdavis.edu/extension/update/issues/v12n3.pdf >

Medellin-Azuara, J., Connell C.R., Madani, K. and Lund, J.R. (2008). Water management adaptation with climate change. California Climate Change Center. California Energy Commission.

Howitt, R.E. Medellín-Azuara, J. and Duncan MacEwan (2008). Measuring economic impact of agricultural yield related changes. California Climate Change Center. California Energy Commission.

Tanaka, S.K., Connell, C.R., Madani, K., Lund, J.R., Hanak, E. and Medellin-Azuara, J. The Economic Costs and Adaptations for Alternative Delta Regulations. Appendix F to: Lund, J.R., Hanak, E. Fleenor, W., Bennett, W. Howitt, R., Mount, J. Moyle, P. Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Public Policy Institute of California. Available at <http://www.ppic.org>.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Howitt. R.E., Lund, J. R. and Hanak, E. (2008) The Economic effects on Agriculture of Water Export Salinity South of the Delta. Appendix I to: Lund, J.R., Hanak, E. Fleenor, W., Bennett, W. Howitt, R., Mount, J. Moyle, P. Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Public Policy Institute of California. Available at <http://www.ppic.org>.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Mendoza-Espinosa, L. G., Lund, J. R., Waller-Barrera, C., y Howitt, R. E., 2008. "Water Supply for Baja California: Economic-Engineering Analysis for Agricultural, Environmental and Urban Demands." Draft Report Prepared for the California Environmental Protection Agency, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA. Draft January 2008.  <http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu /BajaCALVIN >

Howitt, R.; Kaplan, J.; Larson, D.; MacEwan, D.; Medellín-Azuara, J.; Lee, N. and Horner, G.; and "Central Valley Salinity Report" Report for the State Water Resources Control Board. University of California, Davis, California, Draft March 2008.

Medellín ‐ Azuara J., Harou, J.J., Olivares M.A., Lund J.R. , Howitt R.E., Tanaka S.K. , Jenkins M.J., Kaveh Madani, Zhu, T (2006). Climate Warming and Water Supply Management in California, California Climate Change Center, California Energy Commission, CEC ‐ 500 ‐ 2005 ‐ 195 ‐ SF.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Richard E. Howitt and Lund, J.R. (2007). California agricultural water demands for year 2050 under historic and warming climates. California Energy Commission, PIER Program. CEC-500-2005-195.

Jenkins, M.W., Medellín-Azuara, J. and Lund, J.R. 2007. California Urban Water Demands for Year 2050. California Energy Commission, PIER Program. CEC-500-2005-195.

Conference Proceedings

Harou, J. J. , Pulido-Velasquez, M., Medellín-Azuara, J., Rosember, D.E. and Lund, J.R. Insights for Integrated Management and Adaptation to Climate Change. 13th IWRA World Water Congress. Montepellier, France. September, 1-4, 2008.

Medellín-Azuara, J.,, Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Lund, J.R., Howitt, R.E. (2008) Hydro-economic Analysis of Water Supply for the Binational Transboundary Region of Baja California, Mexico. Accepted for presentation in the International Water Association (IWA) 2008 Congress in Vienna, Austria, September 2008.

Medellín-Azuara, J.,, Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Lund, J.R., Howitt, R.E. (2008) Hydroeconomic Analysis of Water Supply for northern Baja California in 2025 and 2080. International Water Resources: Challenges for the 21st Century and Water Resources Education. Universities Council on Water Resources. Durham, North Carolina, July 22-24, 2008.

Medellín-Azuara, J.,, Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Lund, J.R. and R.E. Howitt (2008). Hydroeconomic Analysis of Water Supply for Baja California, Mexico, World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008, Honolulu, HI. May12-16,  2008

Waller-Barrera, C., Mendoza-Espinosa L. G., Medellín-Azuara, J., and Lund, J. R. (2008) Water management optimization for urban and agricultural use in semiarid Mexico. 1st IWA Mexico National Young Water Professionals Conference", Mexico City, April 9-12, 2008

Mendoza-Espinosa, L.G., Medellín-Azuara, J., and Lund, J.R (2007) An Optimization Model for Water Management in the USA-Mexico Californian Border. Submitted for the 80th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference. San Diego, CA October 13-17.

Harou, J.J., Medellín-Azuara, J, Zhu, T., Tanaka, S. K., Lund, J. R., Stine, S., Jenkins, M. W., and Olivares, M. A. (2006). Extreme Drought and Water Supply Management in California. Proceedings of the 2006 ASCE World Environmental and Water Resources Congress, Reston, VA.

Medellín-Azuara, J.,, Lund, J.R., and R.H., Howitt (2006). Economic-Engineering Optimization for the Binational México-Us Lower Colorado River Delta: The Mexicali Valley Case Study. Universities Council on Water Resources Conference on Increasing Freshwater Supplies July 18-20, 2006 Santa Fe, New México.

Medellín-Azuara, J., Harou, J.J., Olivares, M.A. and Lund, J.R. Climate Change and Water Supply Adaptation in California 2050. Universities Council on Water Resources Conference on Increasing Freshwater Supplies July 18-20, 2006 Santa Fe, New México.

 

ACADEMIC SERVICE AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Lecturing and Teaching Assistanship

  • Guest Lecturer, “Application of Systems Analysis in Large Scale Water Resources Modeling”, Fall 2008, Systems Analysis for Resources Development, CE250, Graduate Level, Sacramento State University, Lecturer Kaveh Madani.
  • Guest Lecturer, “Transboundary Water Resources Management for Restoring the Colorado River Delta”, 2008, Global Water Resources Group Study”, ESP278, Graduate Level, UC Davis, Dr. Joshua Viers.
  • Guest Lecturer, Large-scale Water Resource System Optimization”, 2007, Advanced Water Resources Management, ECI 270, UC Davis, Professor Jay Lund.
  • Guest Lecturer, “Economic Value of Water” (Fall 2006, 2007 and 2008), Water Resources Management, ECI 267, UC Davis, Professor Jay Lund.
  • Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis-Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Quantitative Methods in Agricultural Economics, 2002.
  • Research Assistant and Laboratory Instructor, ITESM-Department of Mechanical Engineering. Materials and Manufacturing Processes Laboratory, edited laboratory manual, 1993.

Member of graduate thesis committees

  • Yolanda Garrido.  Masters Thesis: Optimización del manejo del recurso agua en Tijuana y Rosarito, Baja California. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California-Ensenada. Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (México).
  • Cynthia Waller: Masters Thesis: Modelación las Alternativas de Abastecimiento del Agua en la Zona Urbana de Ensenada y las Zonas Agrícolas de Mandadero y Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California. Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (México). Degree granted in January 2008.

Other Graduate Student General Research Assistance

  • Rachael Hersh-Burdick (2007-2008)
  • David Rheinheimer (Since 2008)
  • Christina Connell (Since 2008)
  • Kaveh Madani (Since 2006)
  • Mathew Bates (Since 2008)
  • Duncan MacEwan (Agricultural and Resource Economics, Since 2007)

Grants and Awards

  • Collaborative Grant, distinguished with the 2005 George E. Brown Award, The University of California Institute for México and the United States (UCMEXUS)
  • Jastro-Shields Graduate Award, 2005, Graduate Studies, UC Davis
  • Graduate Fellowship, 2000, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (México)
  • Undergraduate Education Scholarship, 1992-1993, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (México)
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship, 1986-1989, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (México)

Reviewer

  • Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
  • Environmental Management
  • Water Resources Research
  • Water Resources Management
  • Scientia Iranica

Research and Collaborations

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  • American Geophysical Union
  • Union of Concerned Scientists
  • American Waste and Management Association