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.
Meet Ziming Ke
Ziming Ke is an atmospheric scientist who joined DRI in March 2025. He has extensive expertise in earth system modeling and is producing groundbreaking research that integrates wildfire science into global and regional models, including a recent publication that is the first to successfully replicate wildfire-induced thunderstorms in earth system models. He joined DRI as a postdoctoral researcher working with Hans Moosmuller. Ke completed an undergraduate degree in China, a master’s in oceanography at the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in atmospheric physics and chemistry at Georgia Tech. In the following interview, Ke shares his enthusiasm for wildfire science, spending time in Reno’s wetlands, and watching soccer games.
What can prehistoric ceramics of the California deserts tell us about the past?
DRI archaeologist Greg Haynes recently completed a synthetic report on the prehistoric ceramic artifacts of the Colorado and Mojave deserts.
Tim Minor: Celebrating a Career in GIS and Remote Sensing
Tim Minor, M.A, recently retired from DRI after 31 years. His successful career as a geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing scientist brought him to DRI in 1991.
New Study on Non-Tailpipe Emissions in Southern California
In a new study, researchers take a closer look at some overlooked pollutants, known as non-tailpipe emissions.
New research examines the potential impacts of climate change on water quality in tropical reservoirs
In a new study, scientists including DRI’s Erick Bandala, Ph.D., address how a warming climate alter water quality in tropical reservoirs.
Jim Hudson: Celebrating a Career in Cloud Physics
Research Professor Jim Hudson, Ph.D., DRI’s longest-serving employee, recently retired from DRI after 51 years studying cloud physics.
Restoring our relationship with hímu (willow) requires human interaction rather than protection
The continuation of life for the Wá∙šiw is based around plants like hímu. With it, they can help us understand our problems.
Heading to the mountains? The Living Snow Project needs your help
Murray, Nieminen, Collins, Christopher, and Lundin at DRI are studying snow algae as part of the Living Snow Project – a collaboration between DRI and Robin Kodner and her team at Western Washington University.
Meet Victoria Wuest, Graduate Researcher
Victoria Wuest is a graduate research assistant with the Division of Hydrologic Science at DRI in Las Vegas, mentored by Duane Moser, Ph.D.
Field Notes From a DRI Research Team in Greenland: A Story Map
In May 2022, a team led by scientists from DRI in Reno, Nevada departed for Greenland, where they plan to collect a 440 meter-long ice core that will represent 4,000 years of Earth and human history.
Meet Brianda Hernandez Rosales, Graduate Researcher
Brianda Hernandez Rosales is a graduate research assistant with the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at DRI in Reno. She recently earned her Master’s degree in hydrogeology from the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
Meet Dennis Hallema, Ph.D.
Dennis Hallema, Ph.D., is an assistant research professor of hydrology with the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at DRI in Las Vegas. He specializes in data modeling and natural catastrophe research.
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.