Elyse DeFranco, Author at DRI

Two researchers in orange winter gear stand next to their tent on the side of a snowcapped mountain.

Scientists Find the First Ice Core From the European Alps That Dates Back to the Last Ice Age

By Elyse DeFranco | Jul 15, 2025 | Research findings

The new study, published in the June issue of PNAS Nexus, examines a 40-meter long ice core from Mont Blanc’s Dôme du Goûter. Using radiocarbon dating techniques, the research team found that the glacier provides an intact record of aerosols and climate dating back at least 12,000 years. Aerosols are small droplets and particles in the air such as desert dust, sea salts, sulfur from volcanic eruptions, soot from forest fires, as well as pollutants and other emissions from human activities.

View of side walk in front of Bellagio in Las Vegas with trees lining the right side.

A New, Detailed Analysis of the Benefits and Trade-offs of Urban Street Trees in Las Vegas

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 24, 2025 | Research findings

Earth is hotter than it has been in 125,000 years, scientists say, and Las Vegas continues to break temperature records. Planting and preserving the city’s street trees is one method that brings many benefits, from the cool air of their shade to their ability to store carbon. Now, a new study takes a deeper look at just how much trees can offer Sin City, as well as the water tradeoffs inherent in growing trees in a desert.

Image of space with colorful galaxies and stars.

Desert Lichen Offers New Evidence for the Possibility of Life on Other Planets

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 24, 2025 | Research findings

The question of whether Earth is alone in harboring life has captivated humanity for millennia. In recent years, scientists have turned to Earth-like planets in other solar systems that may show the most promise, but many revolve around stars that emit much stronger solar radiation than our own. Now, a new study offers evidence that life as we know it may be able to thrive on those Earth-like exoplanets.

A yellow sign that says Flooded is set at the side of a road with a vehicle parked on the washed out shoulder.

Wet Soils Increase Flooding During Atmospheric River Storms

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 12, 2025 | Research findings

A new study examined decades of atmospheric river storms across the West Coast to pinpoint the conditions that lead to catastrophic flooding. The research, published June 4 in the Journal of Hydrometeorology, analyzed more than 43,000 atmospheric river storms across 122 watersheds on the West Coast between 1980 and 2023.

Image of a flooded orchard with trees emerging from the water.

New Study Offers Detailed Look at Winter Flooding in California’s Central Valley

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 10, 2025 | Research findings

The research used satellite imagery to identify where winter flooding occurs, which can improve flood risk awareness and inform how to best redirect floodwaters to replenish groundwater supplies.

Arial image of a river running through a canyon between mountains with pine trees and scrubs.

Spring Runoff is Older Than You Think

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 3, 2025 | Research findings

DRI’s Rosemary Carroll, Research Professor of Hydrology, co-authored a new study that found spring runoff in mountains across the Western U.S. is much older than previously known. Using advanced dating techniques, the research discovered that melting mountain snowpacks first replenish groundwater reserves before filling springs several years later. This means that the water relied on by communities across the West takes over five years from snowflake to streamflow. The research has implications for water management and our understanding of the changing dynamics of water availability.

A smoky haze overs the city of Sparks, NV obscuring the buildings and mountains in the distance.

New Study Analyzes Air Quality Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

By Elyse DeFranco | May 27, 2025 | Research findings

The comprehensive research examined air quality in Reno, Nevada during 106 wildfires to illuminate the atmospheric and public health impacts of smoke. The research, published in April's issue of Environmental Science: Atmospheres, measured air quality in Reno, Nevada over a 19 month period between 2017 and 2020 to capture both smoky and clear days.

A conference room with researchers mingling and reviewing graduate student poster presentations.

Graduate Student Winners of the Annual Poster Presentation Session

By Elyse DeFranco | May 23, 2025 | Awards and Honors

On Friday, April 25th, 21 graduate students presented their research at DRI’s Reno campus for the annual poster presentation session. Organized by Kathleen Rodrigues, PhD, Assistant Research Professor of Luminescence, the poster session offers an opportunity for DRI-affiliated graduate students to network with each other and with DRI faculty, hone their presentation skills, and showcase the research they’re working on in pursuit of their degrees.

View from the top of a mountain where a DRI truck is parked and researchers are working on a weather station and surrounded by pine trees.

Long Science in the Nevada Bristlecone Preserve

By Elyse DeFranco | May 12, 2025 | Featured projects

Ancient bristlecone pines have been collecting data for us for millennia. Anne Heggli's research aims to provide a nearly microscopic look at how the climate in the Great Basin is changing, from hour to hour and season to season. With scientific monitoring equipment positioned from the floor of the Great Basin’s Spring Valley up to the peak of Mount Washington, her project examines temperature fluctuations, atmospheric information, and snowpack insights across the region’s ecosystems.

Meet Cayenne Engel

By Elyse DeFranco | May 7, 2025 | Featured researchers

Cayenne Engel, M.Sc., is a Staff Research Scientist in urban climate adaptation who joined DRI in September 2024. Based at DRI’s Las Vegas campus, she is dedicating her time to assessing and expanding the region’s urban tree canopy to bring relief to communities burdened by temperatures that regularly soar above 100° Fahrenheit. In the following interview, Engel shares her passion for public service-oriented research, how Nevada’s unparalleled landscape lured her west, and her love for intricate puzzles.

Posts by Elyse DeFranco