History

In July 1999, the Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences (DEES) was formed following the merger of DRI’s Biological Sciences Center and Quaternary Sciences Center.  The result is a remarkably diverse collection of scientists, with a range of research interests and expertise that challenges any simple categorization or single research focus.  In the broadest terms, DEES scientists all contribute to a greater understanding of the history and processes affecting landscapes, the earth’s surface and its living inhabitants.

In its thirteen-year history, DEES has had five Executive Directors.  Dr. Alan Gillespie directed DEES while on leave from the University of Washington from July 1999 to July 2000.  Dr. David Rhode, a DEES faculty member, served as Acting Director from August 2000 until January 1, 2001, when Dr. Michael Auerbach joined DRI as Executive Director of DEES. From 2008 until July 2012, Dr. Paul Verburg, a DEES faculty member, served as the Interim DEES Executive Director. Dr. K. Bruce Jones joined DRI in August 2012 as the current Executive Director of DEES.

Personnel

As of 2012, DEES personnel consists of 56 professional faculty, 6 technical staff members, and 10 graduate students. Among the professional ranks, 45% are in the research faculty track, and the remaining 55% are in the associate track.  Since 2001, DEES faculty size has increased by 22 individuals with the majority of new hires in microbial ecology, the geological sciences, and archaeology.

Among the technical staff, three members provide administrative support and three members directly support research programs. Administrative support is provided to all of the major facilities within DEES in both Reno and Las Vegas.

For a list of disciplines presently covered by DEES scientists see the Introduction page.