As the planet’s environment changes, the need for solutions will prompt even more questions—questions that will demand answers from a world leader in environmental sciences.

Filling that leadership role is the primary component of DRI’s strategic objectives for 2009 to 2012. It will require excellence from its administration, scientists, students and support staff, as well as teamwork across the institute.

Stephen Wells, Ph.D., has been president of DRI since New Year’s Day 1999. He will continue to move the organization into an even broader national and international research sphere of influence. With a specialty in geomorphology and a research career focused on the factors that shape and change the Earth’s surface, such as volcanoes, floods, forest fires, erosion and wind, Dr. Wells is no stranger to the forces of nature or the tasks ahead to achieve DRI’s major goals.

A key area of scientific focus will be in the research, development and commercialization of renewable energy, which includes both workforce development and outreach.

Establishing more partnerships and collaborations and serving as a model of entrepreneurialism in research are also two of the organization’s objectives for the future.