Miguel A. Medina

Research Interests

Hydrology; water resources engineering; hydrologic and contaminant transport mathematical modeling; international water resources; stationary and nonstationary time series analysis of extreme precipitation; climate change.

Bio

Dr. Medina earned a Ph.D. degree in water resources and environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida in 1976 and joined the Duke faculty thereafter. Dr. Medina is Director of the International Honors Program of the Pratt School of Engineering. He has been a registered Professional Hydrologist, American Institute of Hydrology (Minnesota), since 1983, and its current President-Elect. Dr. Medina is Associate Editor of the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering.

Professor Medina has conducted funded research in hydrologic and water quality mathematical modeling for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Water Research and Technology, the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute, the State of North Carolina, the U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station, the Naval Oceanographic Office, the U.S. Air Force, DuPont Engineering, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy in joint ventures with Luna Innovations. His current research focuses on contaminant transport hydrology, specifically modeling flow and mass transport across surface/subsurface interfaces and interactions. The results of his research are reported in such journals as Water Resources Research, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Journal of Hydrology, Hydrosoft, Advances in Water Resources, Ground Water, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Applied Mathematics and Computation, Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Computing in Civil Engineering, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, Desalination, Journal of Environmental Engineering, Hydrological Science and Technology, and Environmental Health Perspectives.

He was selected a Fulbright Scholar for 1984 at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. He conducted post-graduate intensive courses on urban hydrology for UNESCO in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Panama in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, he was awarded an NSF travel grant to establish links between U.S. and Argentine hydrologists and water professionals. He was named External Evaluator of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme from 2002 to 2003. He was selected the Lead Evaluator in 2007 of the UNESCO World Water Assessment Program.

Professor Medina is a former President of the Universities Council on Water Resources, Inc., and the North Carolina Section of the American Water Resources Association. He is a consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, the Research Triangle Institute of North Carolina, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Pan American Health Organization, the Ministries of Water Resources in Venezuela and Spain, the Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys, and other private enterprises. He is a former Chairman of the International Technical Advisory Committee of the International Ground Water Modeling Center (Colorado School of Mines, and Delft, The Netherlands). In 1989, the Governor of North Carolina appointed Dr. Medina to the Environmental Management Commission.

Education

• B.S. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1968
• M.S. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, 1972
• Ph.D. University of Florida, 1976

Positions

• Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Publications

• Medina MA. Groundwater Level Response to Precipitation and Potential Climate Trends. Water Switzerland. 2025 Jul 1;17(13).
• ASCE Inspire 2023. In American Society of Civil Engineers; 2023.
• Medina MA, Cevza Melek K-A. Stormwater: Urban Modeling. In: Fresh Water and Watersheds. CRC Press; 2020. p. 165u201390.
• Olsen JR, Adamec KT, editors. Engineering Methods for Precipitation under a Changing Climate. 2020 Jan 21;
• Ayyub BM, editor. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure. 2018 Oct 12;
• Medina MA, Melek Kazezyu0131lmaz-Alhan C. Stormwaters: Urban Modeling. In: Encyclopedia of Natural Resources: Water. CRC Press; 2016. p. 843u201352.
• Kazezyilmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA. On numerical modeling of the contaminant transport equations of the wetland hydrology and water quality model WETSAND. Applied Mathematical Modelling. 2016 Mar 1;40(5u20136):4260u20137.
• Olsen JR, editor. Adapting Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Practice to a Changing Climate. 2015 Jun;
• Wang Y. Encyclopedia of Natural Resources - Water and Air - Vol II. CRC Press; 2014.
• Urban Hydrology. In: Handbook of Engineering Hydrology. CRC Press; 2014. p. 579u201396.
• Medina MA, Achanta A, Heyman J, Haerer D. Coupling high-resolution acoustic sensor measurements with analytical and numerical porous media solute transport modeling. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 2011 Apr 8;16(4):324u201331.
• Medina MA. Global water crisis and climate change. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. 2010 Mar 1;15(3):167u201370.
• Kazezyelmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA. The effect of surface/ground water interactions on wetland sites with different characteristics. Desalination. 2008 Jun 25;226(1u20133):298u2013305.
• Kazezyilmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA, Richardson CJ. A wetland hydrology and water quality model incorporating surface water/groundwater interactions. Water Resources Research. 2007 Apr 1;43(4).
• Kazezyilmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA. Kinematic and diffusion waves: Analytical and numerical solutions to overland and channel flow. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. 2007 Feb 1;133(2):217u201328.
• Kazezyilmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA. Stream solute transport incorporating hyporheic zone processes. Journal of Hydrology. 2006 Sep 30;329(1u20132):26u201338.
• Rao P, Medina MA. A multiple domain algorithm for modeling two dimensional contaminant transport flows. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2006 Mar 1;174(1):117u201333.
• Rao P, Medina MA. Enhanced TABS-MDS model for simulating large-scale free surface flows. Environmental Modelling and Software. 2006 Jan 1;21(1):98u2013106.
• Rao P, Medina MA. A multiple domain algorithm for modeling one-dimensional transient contaminant transport flows. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2005 Aug 5;167(1):1u201315.
• Lin YC, Chang MS, Medina MA. A methodology for solute transport in unsteady, nonuniform streamflow with subsurface interaction. Advances in Water Resources. 2005 Aug 1;28(8):871u201383.
• Kazezyilmaz-Alhan CM, Medina MA, Rao P. On numerical modeling of overland flow. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2005 Jul 26;166(3):724u201340.
• Medina M. Surface Wateru2013Ground Water Interactions and Modeling Applications. In: Contaminated Ground Water and Sediment. CRC Press; 2003.
• Chien CC, Medina Jr. MA, Pinder GF, Reible DD, Sleep B, Zheng C, editors. Contaminated Ground Water and Sediment. 2003 Nov 24;
• Rao P, Medina MA. Evaluation of V and W multiple grid cycles for modeling one and two-dimensional transient free surface flows. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2003 Jun 1;138(1):151u201367.
• Lin YC, Medina MA. Incorporating transient storage in conjunctive stream-aquifer modeling. Advances in Water Resources. 2003 Jan 1;26(9):1001u201319.
• Rao P, Medina MA. An improved radiating boundary equation for free surface flows. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2002 Oct 1;132(1):73u201386.
• Liu WH, Medina MA, Thomann W, Piver WT, Jacobs TL. Optimization of intermittent pumping schedules for aquifer remediation using a genetic algorithm. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 2000 Jan 1;36(6):1335u201348.
• Cassiani G, Kabala ZJ, Medina MA. Flowing partially penetrating well: Solution to a mixed-type boundary value problem. Advances in Water Resources. 1999 Sep 15;23(1):59u201368.
• Jacobs TL, Medina MAJ, Ho JT. Chance constrained model for storm-water system design and rehabilitation. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 1997 May 1;123(3):163u20138.
• Piver WT, Jacobs TL, Medina MA. Evaluation of health risks for contaminated aquifers. Environmental health perspectives. 1997 Feb;105 Suppl 1:127u201343.
• Mew HE, Medina MA, Heath RC, Reckhow KH, Jacobs TL. Cost-effective monitoring strategies to estimate mean water table depth. Ground Water. 1997 Jan 1;35(6):1089u201396.
• Cassiani G, Medina MA. Incorporating auxiliary geophysical data into ground-water flow parameter estimation. Ground Water. 1997 Jan 1;35(1):79u201391.
• Jacobs TL, Warmerdam JM, Medina MA, Piver WT. Second moment method for evaluating human health risks from groundwater contaminated by trichloroethylene. Environmental health perspectives. 1996 Aug;104(8):866u201370.
• Reich Y, Medina MA, Shieh TY, Jacobs TL. Modeling and debugging engineering decision procedures with machine learning. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. 1996 Jan 1;10(2):157u201366.
• Medina MA, Jacobs TL, Lin W, Lin KC. Ground water solute transport, optimal remediation planning, and decision making under uncertainty. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 1996 Jan 1;32(1):1u201312.
• Medina MA. State-of-the-art in hydrologic and water quality modeling in the Caribbean, Central and South America. IAHS AISH Publication. 1995 Dec 1;(233):337.
• Lin KC, Jacobs TL, Medina MA. Stochastic finite element model for transient advective-dispersive transport in an uncertain hydrodynamic environment. undefined. 1995 Jan 1;832u20135.
• Ho JT, Jacobs TL, Medina MA. Probabilistic-based optimization model for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation. undefined. 1995 Jan 1;682u20135.
• Cassiani G, Liu WH, Medina MA, Jacobs TL. Groundwater pollution remediation and control: the role of global optimizers and exploitation of available information. undefined. 1995 Jan 1;690u20133.
• Jacobs TL, Medina MA. Chance constrained model using kinematic wave routing for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation. Urban Drainage Rehabilitation Programs and Techniques. 1994 Dec 1;39u201354.
• Jacobs TL, Medina MA, Kaufman N, Wood DM. OPTIMAL LONGu2010TERM SCHEDULING OF STORMWATER DRAINAGE REHABILITATION. Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 1993 Jan 1;29(1):47u201354.
• Jacobs TL, Medina MA. Chance constrained optimization model using kinematic wave routing for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation. Water Resources Planning and Management Saving A Threatened Resource in Search of Solutions Proceedings of the Water Resources Sessions at Water Forum. 1992 Dec 1;748u201353.
• Butcher JB, Medina MA, Marin CM. Empirical Bayes regionalization methods for spatial stochastic processes. Water Resources Research. 1991 Jan 1;27(1):7u201315.
• Medina MA, Butcher JB, Marin CM. Monte Carlo analysis and Bayesian decision theory for assessing the effects of waste sites on groundwater, II: Applications. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 1989 Jan 1;5(1):15u201331.
• Marin CM, Medina MA, Butcher JB. Monte Carlo analysis and Bayesian decision theory for assessing the effects of waste sites on groundwater, I: Theory. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 1989 Jan 1;5(1):1u201313.
• Medina MA, Butcher JB, Marin CM. Advisory system for North Carolina groundwater quality modeling and management needs. 1988 Feb 1;(236).
• Moreno MD, Medina MA, Moreno J, Soler A, Saez J. MODELING THE PERFORMANCE OF DEEP WASTE STABILIZATION PONDS. Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 1988 Jan 1;24(2):377u201387.
• Medina MA. USE OF CONTINUOUS SIMULATION VERSUS THE DESIGN STORM CONCEPT FOR WATER QUALITY. undefined. 1986 Jan 1;949u201357.
• Medina MA. State-of-the-Art, Physically-Based and Statistically-Based Water Quality Modeling. In: Urban Runoff Pollution. Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1986. p. 499u2013586.
• Medina MA. DETERMINISTIC AND STATISTICAL WATER QUALITY MODELING. undefined. 1985 Jan 1;1100u201310.
• Medina MA. INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY FOR INSTREAM FLOW STRATEGIES. Report Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina. 1983 Jan 1;(210).
• Medina MA, Buzun J. UNIFIED APPROACH TO THE MODELING OF TRANSIENT STORAGE, TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT OF URBAN POINT AND NONPOINT WATER POLLUTANTS. undefined. 1982 Dec 1;383u2013404.
• Medina MA. HYDROLOGIC AND WATER QUALITY MODELING FOR INSTREAM FLOW STRATEGIES. Report Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina. 1982 Jan 1;(183).
• Medina MA, Buzun J. UNIFIED APPROACH TO THE MODELING OF TRANSIENT STORAGE, TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT OF URBAN POINT AND NONPOINT WATER POLLUTANTS. undefined. 1981 Dec 1;226u20137.
• Medina MA, Huber WC, Heaney JP, Field R. River quality model for urban stormwater impacts ( Des Moines, Iowa). Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division ASCE. 1981 Jan 1;107(WRl, Proc. Paper, 16135):263u201380.
• Medina MA, Huber WC, Heaney JP. Modeling stormwater storage/treatment transients: Applications. Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division. 1981 Jan 1;107(4):799u2013816.
• Medina MA, Huber WC, Heaney JP. Modeling stormwater storage/treatment transients: Theory. Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division. 1981 Jan 1;107(4):781u201397.
• Medina MA, Buzun J. CONTINUOUS SIMULATION OF RECEIVING WATER QUALITY TRANSIENTS. Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 1981 Jan 1;17(4):549u201357.
• Jr MMA, Huber WC, Heaney JP. RIVER QUALITY MODEL FOR URBAN STORMWATER IMPACTS. Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division, American Society of Civil Engineers. 1981;107(1):263u201380.
• Medina MA, Helfrich K. EVALUATION OF INFILTRATION MODELS IN KINEMATIC WAVE APPROXIMATION TO FORESTED WATERSHED OVERLAND FLOW. ASAE Publication. 1980 Jan 1;218u201333.
• Medina MA. Level III: receiving water quality modeling for urban stormwater management. Final rept. May 77-Nov 78 ( Des Moines, Iowa). undefined. 1979 Jan 1;
• Medina MA. LEVEL III: RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING FOR URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. Environmental Protection Technology Series EPA. 1979 Jan 1;
• MEDINA MA, HUBER WC, HEANEY JP. INTERACTION OF URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF, STORAGE-TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND RECEIVING WATER RESPONSE. In: TRANSACTIONS-AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION. AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION; 1978. p. 1071u20131071.
• Medina MA, Mohns LR. Kinematic wave approximation to forested watershed overland flow with urban hydrologic models. undefined. 1978 Jan 1;
• Medina MA, Mohns LR. KINEMATIC WAVE APPROXIMATION TO FORESTED WATERSHED OVERLAND FLOW WITH URBAN HYDROLOGIC MODELS. Ky Univ Off Res Eng Serv Bull Uky Bu116. 1978 Jan 1;63u201372.
• Huber WC, Heaney JP, Medina MA, Peltz WA, Sheikh H, Smith GF. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT MODEL USER'S MANUEL. VERSION II. Environ Prot Technol Ser EPA. 1975 Jan 1;(670 /2-75u2013017).
• Medina M. Groundwater Level Response to Precipitation and PotentialnClimate Trends,.