Erik Porse is the Director of the California Institute for Water Resources and an Associate Cooperative Extension Specialist within University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Erik is an engineer, environmental scientist, and policy analyst who focuses on water and environmental management. Since 2011, Erik’s work in California has included studies on safe drinking water, efficient urban water use, sustainable groundwater management, water reuse, beneficial uses of stormwater, environmental finance, water resource systems analysis, and agricultural water management.

Erik has a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering (water resources) from UC Davis and a master’s degree in public policy (science and technology) from George Mason University. His professional experience includes international work and teaching in Mexico, Europe, Japan, and East Africa. He has authored over 60 reports and peer-reviewed articles. Previously, Erik was a research engineer with the Office of Water Programs at California State University, Sacramento, an assistant adjunct professor with UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and a policy analyst within Sacramento State’s Environmental Finance Center.