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.
Inspiring solutions: DRI’s Community Environmental Monitoring Program tracks radioactivity in Nevada’s air and water
For more than 40 years, DRI’s Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP) has worked to address fears about radiation exposure and provide answers to the concerned public in communities surrounding the NNSS through a simple but impactful solution: putting radioactivity data in the hands of the people.
Meet Graduate Researcher Natasha Sushenko
Meet graduate researcher Natasha Sushenko and learn about her work in DRI’s Environmental Microbiology Laboratory in this interview with DRI’s Behind the Science Blog.
Restoration by Drone: DRI and Partners Test New Method for Reseeding Native Forests after Wildfire
Scientists from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) partnered with the Sugar Pine Foundation, Flying Forests, and the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to test a new method for reseeding burned slopes by drone.
Meet Graduate Researcher Dylan Person
Meet DRI graduate researcher Dylan Person and learn about his work with the Cultural Resource Management Program in this interview with DRI’s Behind the Science Blog.
Meet Nathan Chellman, Ph.D.
Meet DRI scientist Nathan Chellman and learn about his work in the Ice Core Laboratory in this interview with DRI’s Behind the Science Blog.
New DRI projects for 2021 include microplastics, microfossils, snowmelt risk, and solute transport
New DRI projects for 2021 include microplastics, microfossils, snowmelt risk, and solute transportFEB 26, 2021RENO & LAS VEGAS, NEV.Introducing the winners of DRI's 2021 Institute Project Assignment (IPA) competition. Each year, the Desert...
What’s in the plume? Researchers compare health impacts of smoke from wildfires versus prescribed burns
wildfires often burn hotter and their plumes may include chemicals released by burning houses or other structures.
DRI welcomes new graduate students to Reno and Las Vegas campuses
Each year, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) welcomes new graduate students from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), who work under the direction of DRI faculty on our northern and southern campuses to...
Xiaoliang Wang Receives 2020 Benjamin Y. H. Liu Award for Aerosol Research
Reno, Nev. (Oct 7, 2020) – Xiaoliang Wang, Ph.D. of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, Nev. is the winner of this year’s Benjamin Y. H. Liu Award from the American Association of Aerosol Research (AAAR). He was recognized for this honor...
Making Sense of Remote Sensing: A Q&A with Matt Bromley
Matt Bromley, M.S., is an Assistant Research Scientist with the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, and specializes in GIS and remote sensing. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and a M.S. in Geography from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is a native Nevadan, an Army veteran, and has been a member of the DRI community for ten years.
New study explores relationship between dust and Valley Fever
Vic Etyemezian, Ph.D., is the Interim Vice President of Research at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and specializes in the study of dust emissions. Vic has been a member of the DRI community since 1999, when he started his career at DRI as a post-doctoral scientist with the Division of Atmospheric Sciences in Las Vegas. He recently published a paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled “Valley Fever: Environmental Risk Factors and Exposure Pathways Deduced from Field Measurements in California,” working alongside colleagues Antje Lauer, Ph.D. (California State University Bakersfied), George Nikolich, M.S. (DRI), and others, so we connected with Vic to learn more about the project.
DRI scientists investigate effectiveness of heat warnings along US-Mexico border
Featured research by DRI’s Kristin VanderMolen, Ben Hatchett, Erick Bandala, and Tamara Wall.
In July and August, daytime temperatures along parts of the US-Mexico border can reach as high as 120 degrees – more than 20 degrees above normal human body temperature. For agricultural workers and others who live and work in the region, exposure to these extreme high temperatures can result in serious health impacts including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat-related death.
Engineered Processes for the Separation and Degradation of Microplastics in Freshwater
the researchers will use acoustic focusing and electrocoagulation to separate microplastics from freshwater effluents and determine the removal process mechanisms.