- DRI's Las Vegas Open House
- 60th Anniversary Events
- DRI's Reno Open House
- Who We Are
- What We Do
Come Celebrate at our Open Houses. 
May 3, 2019: May Science Be With You – DRI’s Open House in Las Vegas From 4-8pm
755 E. Flamingo Blvd., Las Vegas
Featuring lab tours, hands-on activities, science exhibits, food trucks, Star Wars characters, Star Wars celebrity David West Reynolds, and showcasing participants in the Nevada K-12 STEM Challenge.
Join Us in Celebrating our 60th AnniversaryCheck out our calendar of events as we celebrate 60 years of scientific discovery and innovation in Nevada and around the world.
Starting this month, join us in celebrating 60 years of scientific discovery—we'll be sharing special anniversary content and hosting community events that highlight where we've been and where we're headed in the next 60 years!
Come Celebrate at our Open Houses.
May 15, 2019: May Science Be With You – DRI’s Open House in Reno From 4-8pm
2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno
Featuring lab tours, hands-on activities, science exhibits, food trucks, Star Wars characters, Star Wars celebrity David West Reynolds, and showcasing participants in the Nevada K-12 STEM Challenge.
Nevada Science, Global SolutionsFor nearly 60 years, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) has excelled in scientific research and the application of technologies to improve lives throughout Nevada and the world. With campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, DRI serves as the non-profit research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
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SCIENCE SERVING SOCIETYSince 1959, DRI's research has advanced scientific knowledge, supported Nevada's diversifying economy, provided science-based educational opportunities, and informed policy makers, business leaders, and community members. Committed to scientific excellence and integrity, DRI faculty, students, and staff develop scientific knowledge and innovative technologies, improving lives within Nevada and around the globe.
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NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED - WORLD RENOWNED
The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is a recognized world leader in investigating the effects of natural and human-induced environmental change and advancing technologies aimed at assessing a changing planet. For more than 50 years DRI research faculty, students, and staff have applied scientific understanding to support the effective management of natural resources while meeting Nevada's needs for economic diversification and science-based educational opportunities.
Click below to explore some of DRI's research capabilities and global impact
DRI News and Announcements
Mon, 20 May 2019
Free citizen-science app lets users assist in research, report findings, and help Keep Tahoe Blue
South Lake Tahoe, CA (May 20, 2019) - With apps like iNaturalist and Instagram hashtags like #trashtag trending, there are increasingly more ways for budding... Read more
Thu, 09 May 2019
Population health study "Healthy Nevada Project" goes statewide, adding 25,000 participants
The study could expand to a quarter million people, making Nevada the only state in the U.S. to offer such a program Las Vegas, Nev. (May... Read more
Wed, 08 May 2019
Traces of Roman-era pollution stored in the ice of Mont Blanc
RENO, Nev. (May 8, 2019) – Last spring, an international team of researchers led by Joe McConnell, PhD, Director of the Ultra Trace Ice Core... Read more
Tue, 07 May 2019
North Atlantic Ocean productivity has dropped 10 percent during Industrial era
RENO, Nev. (May 7, 2019) - This week, new research outlining the steady decline of phytoplankton productivity in the North Atlantic since the Industrial Revolution... Read more
Thu, 02 May 2019
Forest fires accelerating snowmelt across western U.S., new study finds
RENO, Nev. (May 2, 2019) - Forest fires are causing snow to melt earlier in the season, a trend occurring across the western U.S. that... Read more
Wed, 01 May 2019
Upcoming Festival to Highlight Science and Technology in Local Schools
RENO, Nev. (May 1, 2019) – From May 13th to 17th, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The... Read more
Wed, 24 Apr 2019
DRI and The Discovery Launch First-Ever Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival
Week-long celebration of science set for May 13-17th RENO, Nev. (April 24, 2019) – From May 13th to 17th, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the... Read more
Tue, 23 Apr 2019
MWA Welcomes Desert Research Institute as Newest MWA Member
Washington, DC (April 23, 2019) – The Millennium Water Alliance is pleased to announce that the Desert Research Institute, part of the Nevada System of... Read more
Tue, 16 Apr 2019
Nevada Higher Education Institutions Partner with Tesla in New Robotics Academy For Teachers
Program to offer K-12 teacher trainings developed by DRI, UNR and UNLV Reno, Nev. (April 16, 2019) - The Desert Research Institute (DRI), University of Nevada... Read more
Mon, 08 Apr 2019
DRI researchers successfully remove harmful hormones from Las Vegas wastewater using green algae
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (April 8, 2019) – A common species of freshwater green algae is capable of removing certain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from wastewater, according... Read more
Wed, 27 Mar 2019
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto to join Desert Research Institute at "Science Behind Smarter Communities"…
April 25th event in Las Vegas to celebrate Institute's 60th AnniversaryLas Vegas, NV (March 27, 2019): The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is proud to announce that... Read more
Wed, 20 Mar 2019
Floating evaporation stations deployed at Lake Powell
RENO, Nev. (March 20, 2019) - In the western United States, reservoirs are critical for storing water that can later be used by cities and... Read more
Fri, 01 Mar 2019
Monica Arienzo receives Board of Regents 2019 Rising Researcher Award
Reno, Nev. (March 1, 2019): This week, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents awarded Monica Arienzo, Ph.D. of the Desert Research... Read more
Tue, 26 Feb 2019
Dandini Research Park Board reappoints two Trustees and names new and continuing officers
RENO, Nev. (February 26, 2019) - The Dandini Research Park, governed by DRI Research Parks, Ltd, a 501(c)3 corporation organized by the Nevada System of Higher... Read more
Tue, 26 Feb 2019
DRI Research Foundation names new chair, officers and fellows
RENO, Nev. (Feb. 26, 2019) – The Board of Trustees of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Research Foundation are pleased to announce the unanimous approval of... Read more
Thu, 21 Feb 2019
DRI scientist honored with California's premier air quality award
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 21, 2019) – The California Air Resources Board today honored recipients of the 2018 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards, California’s premier award recognizing individuals who... Read more
Wed, 20 Feb 2019
Study provides new insight into how microbes process nitrogen
Reno, Nev. (February 20, 2019): Microbes play a key role in Earth’s nitrogen cycle, helping to transform nitrogen gas from the atmosphere back and forth... Read more
Tue, 22 Jan 2019
New research shows impact of using shared language and building public trust in weather forecasts
Reno, Nev. (Tuesday, January 22nd) – For meteorologists, effectively communicating weather forecasts and their related dangers is essential in maintaining the health, safety, and resilience... Read more
Tue, 22 Jan 2019
Research team develops first lidar-based method for measuring snowpack in mountain forests
Reno, Nev. (Jan. 22, 2018): Many Western communities rely on snow from mountain forests as a source of drinking water – but for scientists and... Read more
Thu, 03 Jan 2019
New study identifies atmospheric conditions that precede wildfires in the Southwest
Reno, Nev. (January 3, 2018): To protect communities in arid landscapes from devastating wildfires, preparation is key. New research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI)... Read more
Mon, 03 Dec 2018
Data from DRI ice core lab shows rapid melting of Greenland ice sheet
Reno, Nev. (Dec. 5, 2018): The melting of the Greenland ice sheet has increased rapidly in response to Arctic warming, and is likely to continue to do so into the future, according to... Read more
Tue, 27 Nov 2018
DRI ice core data illustrates climate “teleconnection” between Earth’s poles during climate changes in the…
Reno, Nev. (Nov. 28, 2018): This week, new research on historical climate changes in the Earth’s polar regions by an international team of scientists was... Read more
Fri, 16 Nov 2018
Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Receives $4.5M for Continued Research
Collaborative climate research center has received renewed funding from USGS to continue climate studies and outreach throughout the U.S. Southwest. November 15, 2018 (Reno, NV) -... Read more
Thu, 15 Nov 2018
In Memoriam – Dr. John Hallett
Please join us for the Celebration of Life for Dr. John Hallett on Monday, December 17th from 3pm-5pm in the DRI Stout Conference Center, located at... Read more
Tue, 13 Nov 2018
First non-polar historical iodine record shows impact of fossil fuel emissions
Reno, Nev. (Nov. 13, 2018): A new ice core record from the French Alps shows impacts of fossil fuel emissions in the form of a... Read more
Thu, 01 Nov 2018
DRI and Collaborators Awarded $6 Million Grant for Innovative Genetic Research
Project to create jobs and develop new technologies in Nevada, Maine, New Hampshire Las Vegas, NV (November 1, 2018): The Desert Research Institute, in partnership with... Read more
Thu, 18 Oct 2018
DRI Welcomes Sheldon Flom as New Vice President for Finance and Business
Reno, NV: The Desert Research Institute proudly announced today that Sheldon Flom, CPA has been named the Institute’s new Vice President for Finance and Business. Flom has... Read more
Thu, 18 Oct 2018
DRI Welcomes Tracy Bower as New Director of External Affairs
Las Vegas, NV: The Desert Research Institute proudly announced today that Tracy Bower has been named the Institute’s new Director of External Affairs. Bower will lead DRI’s... Read more
Mon, 24 Sep 2018
Renown Health Appoints DRI's Joseph Grzymski, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 25, 2018) – Taking the next step toward expanding its landmark population health and genetics research initiative to a statewide and national level, Renown Healthtoday... Read more
Fri, 21 Sep 2018
Interdisciplinary research team to investigate impact of changing mountain snowpack on agriculture in western US
Reno, NV (Friday, September 21) - Mountain snowpack and rainfall are the primary sources of water for the arid western United States, and water allocation... Read more
Thu, 20 Sep 2018
DRI ice core data provides insight into how dust and precipitation reach Earth's poles
Reno, NV (September 20, 2018): In September, new research by a team from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Washington, Columbia University... Read more
Mon, 10 Sep 2018
Updated California Climate Tracker tool provides more than 120 years of climate data
Reno, NV (Sept 10, 2018): Scientists from the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, NV are pleased to... Read more
Tue, 28 Aug 2018
Low-severity wildfires impact soils more than previously believed
New research shows negative effects of fire on soil structure and organic matter Las Vegas, NV (August 28, 2018): Low-severity wildland fires and prescribed burns have... Read more
Wed, 15 Aug 2018
Significant amount of cancer-causing chemicals stays in lungs during e-cigarette use, Nevada-based researchers find
Reno, NV(August 15, 2018) – E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular as a smoke-free alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes, but the health effects of “vaping” on humans... Read more
Tue, 31 Jul 2018
Governor Sandoval, President Averyt meet with Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo during Trade Mission
ACCRA, GHANA (July 30, 2018) – Highlighted by a meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo, the successful first leg of Governor Brian Sandoval’s trade mission to... Read more
Fri, 20 Jul 2018
Gault site research pushes back date of earliest North Americans
Luminescence dating confirms human presence in North America prior to 16 thousand years ago, earlier than previously thought July 20, 2018 (Reno, NV) - For decades, researchers believed the Western Hemisphere was settled... Read more
Thu, 19 Jul 2018
Tesla selects DRI’s Science Alive program to develop statewide teacher training infrastructure focused on robotics…
Reno, NV (July 19, 2018): The Desert Research Institute is proud to announce that the DRI Science Alive K-12 Outreach Program has been selected as one... Read more
Wed, 06 Jun 2018
DRI's Ben Hatchett wins Nature Geostory competition
Reno, NV (June 6, 2018): Benjamin Hatchett, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, has been selected as one of... Read more
Fri, 01 Jun 2018
Craig Rosen Recognized as Nevada Sustainability Leader
NV GREEN Alliance Names DRI Science Alive Administrator 2018 Environmental Hero at Awards Gala May 22, 2018 (Las Vegas, NV) - Craig Rosen, Community Relations... Read more
Wed, 09 May 2018
Lead pollution in Greenland ice shows rise and fall of ancient European civilizations
Reno, NV (May 14, 2018): To learn about the rise and fall of ancient European civilizations, researchers sometimes find clues in unlikely places: deep inside... Read more
Tue, 24 Apr 2018
Ancient ‘quids’ reveal genetic information, clues into migration patterns of early Great Basin inhabitants
Las Vegas, NV (Tuesday, April 24, 2018): If you want to know about your ancestors today, you can send a little saliva to a company where –... Read more
Tue, 24 Apr 2018
DRI launches cybersecurity internship program in collaboration with SANS Institute
Program now accepting applications for 2018 Reno, NV (Tuesday, April 24, 2018): From malware infections to attacks on critical infrastructure like electricity grids, cybercrime is a... Read more
Tue, 20 Mar 2018
New research improves prospects for imperiled Devils Hole Pupfish in captivity
DRI study finds key differences between artificial habitat and the real Devils Hole Las Vegas, NV (Tuesday, March 20, 2018): In a first-of-its kind study of... Read more
Thu, 15 Mar 2018
Healthy Nevada Project announces pilot study insights and phase two enrollment
Population Health Study Begins Clinical Care Integration and Opens Genomic Testing to 40,000 Nevadans Reno, Nev. (March 15, 2018) – Eighteen months ago, northern Nevada made... Read more
Wed, 14 Mar 2018
DRI Stories in the Snow Project collects over 400 images from local citizen scientists
Detailed photographs help local scientists understand regional storms, collect weather data Reno, NV (Wednesday, March 14, 2018): No two snow crystals are alike, an old saying... Read more
Thu, 01 Mar 2018
Board of Regents award DRI air pollution expert 2018 Rising Researcher Award
Dr. Vera Samburova Winner of 2018 Rising Researcher AwardReno, Nev. (Thursday, March 1, 2018) - The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents... Read more
Thu, 01 Feb 2018
Saving the Desert’s Upper Crust
NEXUS researchers investigate the preservation of a vital component of desert ecosystems To a casual observer, desert lands may appear a barren vista of sand and soil... Read more
Wed, 17 Jan 2018
Scientists investigate northern Sierra Nevada snow droughts
New research from DRI explores root causes of declining snowpack levels Reno, NV (Wednesday, January 17, 2018): The Lake Tahoe Basin and northern Sierra Nevada are currently... Read more
Tue, 09 Jan 2018
Helix to help expand Healthy Nevada Project
Community-driven population health study prepares to significantly increase public enrollment Reno, Nev. and San Carlos, Calif. (Tuesday, January 9, 2018) – Fifteen months after launching the... Read more
Fri, 05 Jan 2018
DRI names Lawrence Buja new Vice President for Research
Reno, NV (Friday, January 5, 2018): Lawrence Buja, Ph.D., has been named the new Vice President for Research (VPR) for Nevada’s Desert Research Institute. Dr. Buja... Read more
Thu, 07 Dec 2017
Climate Engine offers unprecedented access to Earth image datasets
New web application utilizes Google Earth Engine to process and visualize climate and satellite image data Reno, NV (Thursday, December 7, 2017): Working with large environmental... Read more
Fri, 17 Nov 2017
DRI and Scripps Oceanography receive $3 million NOAA grant to help decision makers prepare for…
Program to focus on climate-driven impacts to local communities Reno, NV (Friday, November 17, 2017): A climate research program led by scientists at the Desert Research... Read more
Wed, 08 Nov 2017
DRI Science Alive included in Nevada’s newest list of recommended STEM programs
Reno, NV (Wednesday, November 8, 2017): The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is proud to announce that Science Alive, the Institute’s K-12 outreach program and home of... Read more
Tue, 05 Sep 2017
Massive Antarctic Volcanic Eruptions Linked to Abrupt Southern Hemisphere Climate Changes Near the End of…
New findings explain synchronous deglaciation that occurred 17,700 Years Ago (Reno, NV) – New findings published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences... Read more
Wed, 30 Aug 2017
DRI Nevada Medal Community Event: Women Shaping the Future of Science and Technology
Special DRI Nevada Medal Community Event: “Women Shaping the Future of Science and Technology" Tuesday, September 26, 2017 As part of the 2017 Nevada Medal events, DRI... Read more
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Black Carbon Emissions from Ancient Wildfires Linked to Historical Climate Conditions
DRI-led research team publishes longest ice core black carbon record to date Reno, NV (Thursday, August 10, 2017): Smoky skies and burnt landscapes are the easily... Read more
Tue, 01 Aug 2017
In Memoriam - Dr. Barbara Zielinska
A memorial service for Barbara is scheduled for Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Mountain View Mausoleum, Meditation Chapel, 435 Stoker Avenue Reno at 12... Read more
Fri, 14 Jul 2017
DRI Researchers Identify Connection Between Atmospheric River Events and Avalanche Fatalities in Western United States
RENO, NV (Friday, July 14, 2017): Recently published research led by atmospheric scientists at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) demonstrates a connection between the occurrence... Read more
Fri, 14 Jul 2017
Source of Arctic Mercury Pollution Identified in New Study
DRI research team part of international effort to understand global impact Reno, NV (Friday July 14, 2017): Vast amounts of toxic mercury are accumulating in the... Read more
Thu, 29 Jun 2017
DRI’s Alan Gertler awarded prestigious fellowship at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem
Reno, NV: Dr. Alan Gertler, DRI’s Vice President for Research and Chief Science Officer, has been named a 2017-2018 Lady Davis Fellow at the Hebrew... Read more