Behind the Science Blog
DRI’s “Behind the Science” blog featuring our people and projects
Read the stories below to learn more about the amazing people and projects happening at DRI.
What We Know About Wildfire Risk and Prevention
DRI scientists conduct a wide range of research on wildfire related topics to help policymakers, fire managers, and community members navigate challenges to public safety and health. In this Q&A, a selection of our scientists answer some of the most pressing questions about the environmental conditions that lead to the most devastating blazes and offer previews into some of their most relevant research.
Q&A with AGU presenter Christine Albano
Christine Albano is a hydrologist and graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. She'll be attending AGU for the first time this year. DRI: In a couple of sentences, what is the ‘plain English’ summary of what you are presenting at AGU? Christine...
Nevada Solar Nexus Project: 2013-2018
“I knew our research institutions were doing solar energy research, but I didn’t realize how much they were doing,” said Nevada State Assemblyman Chris Brooks in welcoming attendees to the "Solar Nexus: Nevada’s Research Institutions Supporting our...
Michael Dettinger among 2018 class of AAAS lifetime fellows
RENO, Nev. (Nov. 28th, 2018) - Michael Dettinger, Ph.D., a leading climate researcher in Nevada, has been named a lifetime Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in honor of his remarkable achievements in advancing...
Q & A with AGU Presenter Rose Shillito
Rose Shillito is a hydrologist and graduate student researcher working with Markus Berli, Ph.D., associate research professor of environmental science. Rose has worked at DRI since 2011, and she plans to defend her doctoral dissertation at UNLV and...
Graduate student Yang Han receives Young Algae Researcher Award
DRI graduate student Yang Han, fifth from left, received a Young Algae Researcher Award in October. November 5, 2018 (Reno, Nevada): Desert Research Institute (DRI) graduate student Yang Han was one of six student scientists to be honored...
Meet Graduate Researcher Nic Beres
Meet Nic Beres, a Ph.D. student in atmospheric sciences. At DRI, Beres is working with Dr. Hans Moosmüller from the Division of Atmospheric Science (DAS) in Reno to study the mechanisms by which light-absorbing impurities such as dust reduce...
Native Waters on Arid Lands project holds DRI Youth Day and Tribal Summit
On a Monday morning in mid-October, several small groups of students from Pyramid Lake Junior/Senior High School gathered around tables inside of a conference room at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, sketching ideas, visions, and plans of...
Airborne Systems Research and Environmental Testing at DRI
Visit DRI’s Northern Nevada campus on a clear afternoon, and you may hear a near-deafening buzzing. A massive swarm of bees? Thankfully, no—it's an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, being flown by researchers from DRI’s Airborne Systems...
Meet Henry Sun, Ph.D.
Henry Sun, Ph.D., is an associate research professor of microbiology with the Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas. Henry specializes in the study of microscopic organisms that live in extreme...
DRI faculty teach water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental issues courses in eSwatini (Swaziland)
Students from DRI’s WASH Capacity Building Program learn about dry sanitation during a field trip to the University of eSwatini (Swaziland) project site at the community of Buka, eSwatini. September 2018. Credit: Braimah Apambire/DRI. In...
DRI researchers share projects with Nevada water resources professionals at state-wide symposium
Several DRI researchers reported on recent projects at the Nevada Water Resources Association (NWRA) Fall Symposium in Reno this week. They were among engineers, resource managers, water rights professionals, and other stakeholders from across...
Secrets of Successful Solar
Photo caption: Prototype sky-imaging camera. Credit: Eric Wilcox. By: Jane Palmer Reno, NV (September 1, 2018) - Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source, but integrating solar power into the grid is not without challenges. For...