Nicholas Institute Staff

Peter G. McCornick
Dr. Peter McCornick has approximately three decades of experience in the water resources, agriculture and environment sectors.  This has included research, policy development, planning, implementation, teaching and capacity building.  The majority of his experience has been within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments.  Much of this has been in a senior leadership role, working with decision makers in international, national and sub-national institutions in the public and private sector, generally focused on the poorer communities.  He has worked extensively in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and North America, including long-term assignments in Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Indonesia (Timor and Java), Jordan and Sri Lanka.

Prior to joining Duke in 2008, Dr. McCornick was the Director for Asia for the International Water Management Institute, and was responsible for managing the research program and staff located in the region.  Previously he was assigned to the water and coastal resources team of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington DC.  In addition, he has advised and provided input to a number of other bilateral, multi-lateral and private entities including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Health Organization, the State Department and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 

He is a:

• Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE), American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE), and
• a professional engineer (Civil) # 36162, Colorado. 

McCornick’s research interests include water resources planning and management, urban-rural competition for water, environment and development synergies and tradeoffs, and managing for drought and climate variability.