Announcements Archives

Sue Wagner wearing glasses and smiling at something just off camera against a black background.

Remembering the Legacy of Sue Wagner, Long-Time DRI Supporter and Pioneering Woman in Nevada Politics

By DRI Communications | Mar 18, 2026 | Announcements, Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Sue Wagner built the foundation for state support for DRI. She joined the staff of DRI in 1981 and served as Special Assistant for Government and Legislative Affairs for nine years, and ending when she was elected Lieutenant Governor. One of her major achievements at DRI was shepherding of special legislation through the U.S. Congress to establish the DRI Dandini Research Park. Sue remained active in local and state politics and continued to play a role in supporting promising scientists from DRI and beyond.

Southwest Stormwater Center to Provide Regional Best-Practices Solutions for Stormwater Management, Financing

By DRI Communications | Jan 27, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

Stormwater management professionals and stakeholders across the U.S. Southwest region will be able to learn about the latest, best-practices solutions for stormwater management and financing through the newly established Southwest Stormwater Center (SWSC), a regional knowledge center for new and emerging stormwater control technologies.

Educators are working at a table with laptops and various STEM tools during a training session in the STEM Co-Lab.

DRI Awarded Grant to Advance AI and Computer Science Education for K-12 Preservice and Inservice Educators

By DRI Communications | Jan 27, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The $2.7 million Department of Education award is a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grant. The four-year project will address the need to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classroom education in grades K-12. To accomplish this, training and resources will be provided to undergraduate preservice educators and those already in the classroom, with a focus on Nevada’s rural communities.

An aerial view of a green valley with mountains in the distance.

New Tool Will Help Manage One of Nevada’s Most Critical Freshwater Sources

By DRI Communications | Jan 26, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The Nature Conservancy in Nevada (TNC in Nevada), DRI, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW-Madison) have developed the Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer Tool. This new online resource helps land and water managers understand how groundwater supports groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and how changes in water levels can affect them.

NASA and Partners Expand Crucial Water Tracking Program

By DRI Communications | Jan 21, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

DRI’s Charles Morton, Associate Research Scientist of Geography, who had a key role in the expansion of OpenET said, “Delivering wall-to-wall evapotranspiration data across the contiguous United States at the field scale is a major milestone for OpenET, and it’s exciting for us to imagine the future research and practical applications this expanded coverage will unlock.”

Image of Beth Campbell sitting in a chair with a book in her lap.

The DRI Foundation Welcomes New Chair and Trustees for 2026

By Detra Page | Jan 8, 2026 | Announcements, Foundation Announcements, Detra Page

The DRI Foundation, the non-profit arm of DRI, is pleased to announce new members to its Board of Trustees. The DRI Foundation Board of Trustees work in close collaboration with DRI President Kumud Acharya and the Office of Advancement to engage and build relationships with new and existing supporters to further DRI’s work across Nevada and around the world.

Dr. Vera Samburova walking through wildfire rubble.

NSF Grant Awarded to Research the Chemistry of Post-fire Soil Water Repellency

By Detra Page | Sep 25, 2025 | Announcements, Detra Page

The research will investigate how the chemical composition of post-fire soils is linked with soil water repellency and reflectance. A significant knowledge gap exists in understanding the post-fire soil chemical processes that lead to soil water repellency and, consequently, increase the risk of post-fire hazards such as floods and landslides.

View of the inside of a cave with large stalactites and stalagmites

NSHE Secures $750,000 NASA EPSCoR Grant for Research into Underground Ecosystems That Could Inform the Search for Life Beyond Earth

By DRI Communications | Sep 18, 2025 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has secured a $750,000 grant from NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to study unique underground ecosystems powered by radiation instead of sunlight. The findings could help guide NASA’s search for life beneath the surfaces of Mars and icy worlds elsewhere in the solar system.

A museum exhibit featuring solar radiation.

DRI, Atomic Museum Launch Free Field Trip Program Titled “Exploring the Invisible” for Grades 6-12

By Detra Page | Sep 15, 2025 | Announcements, Detra Page

DRI, in partnership with the Atomic Museum, announces an innovative and accessible field trip program titled “Exploring the Invisible: A Hands-On Journey into Radiation Science.” Designed to ignite curiosity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as connect students to Nevada’s rich history, the field trip includes free admission and transportation for participants.

Student researchers sorting through microplastics on the beach.

DRI Internships Offer TMCC Students Insight Into Science Careers

By Elyse DeFranco | Sep 3, 2025 | Announcements, Elyse DeFranco

This summer, DRI brought eighteen students from Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) to our Reno campus for a paid, immersive research experience. Over the course of the ten week program, students worked under the mentorship of DRI faculty members to learn about the process of using scientific research to solve real-world problems. This unique internship program welcomes all students, not only those pursuing majors in science.