David Almanza standing outside in front of a tree in a light blue collared shirt and wearing glasses.

Meet David Almanza

By | Aug 12, 2024 | Featured researchers

David Almanza, Ph.D., joined DRI this summer as a postdoctoral researcher in urban climate adaptation. He is working with Ariel Choinard in the Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab to examine how heat is impacting communities in and around Las Vegas. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Almanza grew up in Las Vegas and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2023. In this interview, Almanza discusses his social science training, what it means to center research on your own community, and his love for Las Vegas eateries.

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Juan Henao smiling at the camera in front of trees in a green shirt.

Meet Juan Henao Castaneda

By | May 29, 2024 | Featured researchers

Juan Henao, Ph.D., is a new postdoc in atmospheric sciences working with John Mejia, Ph.D. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, he spent six months on DRI’s Reno campus in 2018 while working with Mejia during his doctoral studies. His primary project will be contributing to atmospheric and air quality modeling efforts, including using digital twins to investigate the effectiveness of urban heat mitigation measures.

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Bea Gordon with her dog hiking in the snow.

Meet Bea Gordon, Ph.D.

By | Mar 8, 2024 | Featured researchers

Beatrice, who also goes by “Bea,” is an interdisciplinary hydrologist with a deeply embedded concern for water availability born from her childhood on a Wyoming ranch. She is focused on working with communities in rural Nevada to understand their needs for effective climate adaptation.

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Portrait of Ariel Choinard

Meet Ariel Choinard, Project Coordinator for CNAP & Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab  

By | Oct 16, 2023 | Featured researchers

Ariel Choinard, M.A., started at DRI in February 2023 as the project coordinator for the California-Nevada Adaptation Program (CNAP) and the new Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab. She is working with Tamara Wall, Ph.D., to build connections between scientists, community members, and community organizations to co-produce solutions, adaptations, and resilience to natural hazards.

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