Sharon B. Megdal, Ph.D. is Associate Director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). She also serves as Professor and Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. She will become Director of the WRRC on July 1, 2004.

Dr. Megdal`s work at the University of Arizona focuses on state and regional water resources management and policy. She is a frequent lecturer and writes a column for the WRRC`s bi-monthly newsletter, The Arizona Water Resource. Recent papers include ``How Water Management in Tucson, Arizona Has Affected the Desert`s Landscape,`` a paper based on a lecture she gave in Santiago, Chile in May 2003, and ``Managing to Avoid Crisis: A Look at Water Management Efforts in Rural Arizona.`` She frequently lectures and has made presentations in Santiago, Chile and Torreón, Coahuila, México on Arizona`s innovative approach to groundwater management and use of renewable water supplies.

Sharon B. Megdal holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Economics from Princeton University. She has served on many state boards and commissions, including the Arizona Corporation Commission, the State Transportation Board, and the Water Quality Appeals Board. For several years she operated MegEcon Consulting, a firm specializing in ,water resources and public policy consulting. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Arizona Medical Board.