DRI scientists are headed to AGU in New Orleans! Join us in celebrating their work as they present alongside thousands of leaders advancing Earth and space science.
DRI Presenters for December 19:
MONICA ARIENZO, Ph.D.
Speaking Session at 8:30 a.m. in Room 255-257
Latitudinal Gradients of Snow Contamination in the Rocky Mountains Associated
Poster Presentations:
MONICA ARIENZO at 8:30 a.m.
ERIC WILCOX at 8:30 a.m.
See the full program schedule on the AGU25 website.
In partnership with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, the Desert Research Institute STEM Education Program has created four virtual lessons! These virtual resources are flexible to allow for either self-directed student learning and exploration (flipped classroom) or teacher-directed instruction. This professional development training will lead educators through the online resources and allow educators to discuss how these resources could best be implemented in their classrooms.
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Virtual
This training is open to K-12 formal and informal educators. Educators who attend the session will be eligible for up to 1.5 Continuing Education hours.
Click here to register: https://forms.gle/ZiM6cVC4J8qg9AMSA
Join us for an evening steeped in mystery and shadow as we explore the stories that linger where certainty fades. This event invites you into the realm of unsolved puzzles, elusive evidence, and the echoes of lives that slipped beneath the surface.
Woven alongside this scientific investigation, storytellers will share tales of forgotten histories, spectral memories, and the thin veil between what we know and what we can only imagine. Held near Halloween, Vanishing Point invites you to sit with the uncanny—where disappearances raise questions, remnants whisper back, and the past flickers like a ghost just out of view.
Arrive early and take time to explore the Atomic Museum. Curiosity Lab attendees receive free access to the exhibits from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities & Atomic Museum.
Join us for an evening that examines what destruction leaves behind—both visible and hidden, offering new insights into how landscapes transform long after the flames are gone. Complementing this scientific perspective, storytellers from the arts and humanities will share reflections on loss, renewal, and the unexpected forms of resilience that emerge from destruction. Together, these voices invite you to look more closely at the marks left by fire—and the stories they ignite.
Refreshments & cocktails from 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery will be provided.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Thank you to our community partner Nevada Humanities
and our beverage sponsor 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery.
Join us for From Curiosity to Creation: Listen, Learn, Create, an immersive, hands-on event where curiosity becomes your compass. Explore with DRI researchers who are your guides for discovery—experiment with scientific tools, dive into STEM and Nevada Robotics activities, and let those moments of wonder spark your own artwork. Through art materials and playful tinkering, you’ll transform what you learn into creations uniquely your own. Come ready to explore, make, and imagine alongside a community of fellow curiosity-seekers.
Arrive early and take time to explore the Atomic Museum. Curiosity Lab attendees receive free access to the exhibits from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities & Atomic Museum.
Join us for DRI’s third Artown event: From Curiosity to Creation: Listen, Learn, Create, an immersive, hands-on FREE event where curiosity becomes your compass. Explore with DRI researchers who are your guides for discovery—experiment with scientific tools, dive into STEM and Nevada Robotics activities, and let those moments of wonder spark your own artwork. Through art materials and playful tinkering, you’ll transform what you learn into creations uniquely your own. Come ready to explore, make, and imagine alongside a community of fellow curiosity-seekers.
Cocktails from 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery will be provided.
Thank you to our community partner Nevada Humanities
and our beverage sponsor 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery.
Join us for an evening that uncovers the dangers, truths, and meanings that often remain just out of sight. Through science, art, history, and personal reflection, this program invites you to look beneath the surface—at the hidden risks, overlooked details, and subtle forces that shape how we move through the world.
You’ll hear about efforts to detect threats earlier and more precisely, alongside stories that explore how a simple shift in perspective can alter our understanding of safety, meaning, and connection. Whether buried in the ground, embedded in memory, or woven into the fabric of daily life, the unseen has a profound impact on what we believe and how we act.
Come discover how looking closer—and looking differently—can transform what we think we know about the world and our place within it.
Refreshments & cocktails from 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery will be provided.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Storytellers:
Justin Toller is a geophysicist at the Desert Research Institute, where he leads and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on Department of Defense projects focused on detecting landmines and characterizing environments that challenge mobility and communication. Their work applies advanced geophysical techniques to address complex, real-world problems.
Justin holds a Masters of Science in Geophysics, a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Astronomy from Northern Arizona University, with minors in Philosophy and Mathematics. During his studies, he worked at Lowell Observatory as both an educator and research assistant, balancing research with delivering engaging science lectures to diverse audiences. This experience sparked a lasting passion for science communication, which he hoped to continue alongside his research. At the core of his work is a drive to learn, grow, and create positive change through science, education, and meaningful collaboration.
Dr. Kendra Isable is a recent graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno’s department of Anthropology. Her research investigates how socially constructed labels impact the distribution and quality of care and the ways in which that manifests in the human skeletal remains of African and African American individuals. As a first generation college student, Kendra has traversed academia for nearly a decade and a half, earning four degrees from three other academic institutions in southern California prior to her doctorate. As of late, Kendra works as the Assistant Academic Director at a local non-profit where she teaches English as a second language and assists with various administrative tasks to support the director and the institution as a whole. She remains committed to educating and supporting people in reaching their academic and professional goals while continuing her own learning journey in life.
Ryland Gower was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. He started playing the cello at 9 years old and has a passion for music. He is the principal cellist in the Reno Philharmonic Youth Strings Symphonia, the Reno High School String Quartet, and the Reno High School Chamber Orchestra. He recently attended the Villa Sinfonia Zephyr Point Chamber Music Camp at Lake Tahoe and the Oracle Music Festival in Arizona. This summer, Ryland will be attending the Lutheran Music Festival at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, the Sun Valley Chamber Music Festival in Idaho, and the Ruth Lenz and Amy Au Chamber Music Invitational in Reno. Dr. Luciana Gallo is Ryland’s instructor and mentor. When not playing the cello, Ryland enjoys serving as the incoming Sophomore Class President, playing pickleball, and listening to recordings of his favorite cellist, Jacqueline du Pré, perform the Elgar Cello Concerto.
Ryland will be performing Tarantella for Cello by William Henry Squire. Squire composed it in 1896. It is arguably Squire’s most popular piece.
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities
and our beverage sponsor 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery.
Join us for an evening that reveals the powerful forces we rarely see but live with every day. Through science, data, creativity, and human insight, this program explores the hidden patterns, risks, and influences that shape our lives—from dangers that lie beneath the surface to the subtle currents that guide our decisions, behaviors, and relationships.
We’ll look at efforts to detect threats earlier and more accurately, as well as stories that illuminate the psychological, social, and artistic forces that influence how we understand the world around us.
Come discover how mapping the invisible—whether through research, reflection, or imagination—can deepen awareness, expand possibility, and help us navigate the unseen with greater clarity and care.
Arrive early and take time to explore the Atomic Museum. Curiosity Lab attendees receive free access to the exhibits from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Storytellers:
Justin Toller is a geophysicist at the Desert Research Institute, where he leads and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on Department of Defense projects focused on detecting landmines and characterizing environments that challenge mobility and communication. Their work applies advanced geophysical techniques to address complex, real-world problems.
Justin holds a Masters of Science in Geophysics, a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Astronomy from Northern Arizona University, with minors in Philosophy and Mathematics. During his studies, he worked at Lowell Observatory as both an educator and research assistant, balancing research with delivering engaging science lectures to diverse audiences. This experience sparked a lasting passion for science communication, which he hoped to continue alongside his research. At the core of his work is a drive to learn, grow, and create positive change through science, education, and meaningful collaboration.
Diana Monnette is an Investigative Genetic Genealogist and the Assistant Director of Wolf Pack DNA. She received her BS in history from Oregon State University and earned a Certificate of Investigative Genetic Genealogy from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She worked as a journalist and later in the field of social media management for 15 years before pivoting to the field of IGG. Diana has always had a passion for family genealogy and history, and in recent years developed a deep interest in the power of genetic genealogy, particularly its application to resolving cases of unidentified human remains.
Diana will focus on two cases of unidentified human remains solved using the power of Investigative Genetic Genealogy. She will start with a brief introduction to the practice, and then tie that to two recent solved cases with Wolf Pack DNA.
Linda Alterwitz is an independent interdisciplinary artist with a focus on photography. Her practice envisions the unseen rhythms of the human body and our relationship to the natural world, encouraging dialog around choice, trust, and collective experience. Viewing art as a catalyst for change, Alterwitz uses creative expression to engage complex societal challenges. By integrating the authenticity of science and the communicative power of art, she bridges the visible and the unseen, inviting viewers to reimagine their connections to one another and to the world around them.
Alterwitz’s reflection on Covid-19, Injection Site, will be on exhibit at the Ulrich Museum of Art in Wichita, KS (2026) and her first published monograph, Injection Site, is currently in production with MW Editions, New York, NY (2026). Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Orion Magazine, Black & White Photography (UK), Lenscratch, Musée Magazine, and The New Statesman, among others.
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities & Atomic Museum.
Join us for an evening that weaves together water, memory, innovation, and imagination—exploring how the choices we make today ripple into the future. While the 1997 flood offers a powerful point of reflection, this program looks beyond a single event to examine Nevada’s evolving relationship with water through science, personal story, and creative practice.
From the hidden water demands of emerging technologies and energy growth, to a fifth-generation farmer’s journey into groundwater science, to the transformative power of creativity in science education, our storytellers reveal how curiosity and lived experience shape the way we understand and steward our world.
Come discover how stories—both personal and collective—can deepen insight, spark connection, and help illuminate the path forward.
Refreshments & cocktails from 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery will be provided
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Storytellers:
Erik M. Henzl is a Staff Research Scientist in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute (DRI). He holds an undergraduate degree in environmental economics from Colgate University. Before joining DRI, he worked as a Research Associate at the University of Nevada, Reno, contributing to research on the Humboldt River Basin. Henzl joined DRI in January 2025. Based at DRI’s Reno office, he currently researches data center water and energy consumption.
At Curiosity Lab, Henzl will describe his path to DRI and his current research on data center expansion in Nevada. In doing so, he will discuss the integral role of curiosity in fueling his research and his passion for learning as a vocation.
Lou Loftin is an educator with 27 years of experience spanning elementary teaching, outdoor education, instructional leadership, and teacher training across northern Nevada. He served as the PreK–12 Science Learning Facilitator for Nevada’s Northwest Regional Professional Development Program, supporting multiple counties and training teachers in standards-aligned, research-based STEM instruction. Loftin also taught K–8 science methods at the University of Nevada, Reno College of Education, where he earned his B.S. in Physical Geography, teaching certification, and M.Ed. He has presented at numerous conferences, including the National Science Teachers Association national conference, and is recognized for his commitment to hands-on science learning and educator development.
Lou Loftin will tell the story of the powerful intersection of science and creativity by implementing field journals in his science lessons. By encouraging students to observe closely, ask questions, sketch, and reflect, he found that curiosity deepened and learning became more personal and meaningful. Loftin will share how blending artistic expression with scientific inquiry not only strengthens understanding but also helps learners see themselves as both scientists and creators—unlocking imagination as a tool for discovery.
Eugene Long is a fifth-generation farmer turned water scientist, currently enrolled in the Hydrogeology Graduate Program at University of Nevada. Long’s work focuses on estimating groundwater availability and improving water data across Nevada.
Long will share a story that weaves together his roots in farming with the science and technology that will help us get a clearer estimation of groundwater in our Silver State. Long believes that understanding limited water resources is critical for the state’s future—especially for the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities most vulnerable to changing water patterns.
Featuring:
Dr. Guo Yu holds the position of Assistant Research Professor at DRI and is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Nevada. Dr. Yu has a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and over 10 years combined academic and industrial experience in the fields of hydrology, hydrometeorology, and climate change impact studies. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, some of which have been highlighted by the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as well as the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities and our beverage sponsor 10 Torr Distillery and Brewery.
Map of DRI Reno Campus:
Join us for an evening that explores how water shapes our lives—physically, historically, and emotionally. Through science, story, and reflection, this program invites you to consider the many forms water takes in our world: the floods that transform our cities, the policies that define its use, and the deeply human moments where its presence—or absence—carries the weight of memory, loss, and renewal.
Come discover how water moves through landscapes and lives, revealing the connections between environment, community, and the stories we carry.
Featuring Nevada Humanities local authors from Monsoon Season: Las Vegas Writers on Water in the Desert:
• Geoff Schumacher will discuss the history of water use in Las Vegas
• Scott Dickensheets will share his evolving relationship with water and the desert landscape
They’ll be joined by DRI’s Guo Yu, who will discuss urban flooding and his journey as a scientist studying flood dynamics.
$15 – General Admission
$10 – Discounted Tickets for Students and Educators
Arrive early and take time to explore the Atomic Museum. Curiosity Lab attendees receive free access to the exhibits from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Storytellers:
Dr. Guo Yu holds the position of Assistant Research Professor at DRI and is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Nevada. Dr. Yu has a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and over 10 years combined academic and industrial experience in the fields of hydrology, hydrometeorology, and climate change impact studies. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, some of which have been highlighted by the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as well as the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
Now a freelance writer and editor, Scott Dickensheets has worked all over the Las Vegas media scene: most recently as a daily newsletterist for City Cast Las Vegas, and before that as features editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, deputy editor of Desert Companion magazine, editor in chief of the local alt-weeklies CityLife and the Las Vegas Weekly, and as an editor and columnist at the Las Vegas Sun. He also edited, co-edited, or contributed to eight volumes of the Las Vegas Writes book series; helped edit Nevada: 150 Years in the Silver State, the official book of the Nevada sesquicentennial; co-edited the poetry anthology and workbook Sagebrush to Sandstone: A Humanities Guide to Outdoor Nevada; and is a long-serving member of the Las Vegas Book Festival’s programming committee.
Geoff Schumacher is the vice president of exhibits and programs at The Mob Museum. He is the author of Sun, Sin & Suburbia: A History of Modern Las Vegas and Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue. He was a producer and writer for the documentary This Building of Ours: The Story of a Las Vegas Landmark. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, and his master’s degree in American history from Arizona State University. During his 25-year journalism career, he worked at the Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas CityLife, Las Vegas Mercury, Las Vegas Review-Journal and Ames (Iowa) Tribune. He has been interviewed as a subject matter expert by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, CNN, PBS, Paramount Plus, History Channel and Travel Channel.
Thank you to our community partners Nevada Humanities and Atomic Museum
Map of DRI’s Las Vegas Campus
Happy Birthday, Nevada!
Come celebrate with us from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Nevada Day at the Springs Preserve on Friday October 31 in Las Vegas. Nevada Robotics staffers will offer hands-on and engaging coding and engineering activities for families.
The theme is “Turn Off the Lights!” based on a Nevada Robotics original Books and Bots lesson created with support from our partners at PowerShift by NV Energy.
The first 100 families who learn to touch code and “turn off the lights” with Nevada Robotics will receive a copy of the book Earth Hour by Nanette Heffernan.
Nevada Robotics is proud to continue its relationship with Carson City Schools and is providing METRICS for the district’s PreK educators. METRICS is engaging and ongoing training using Nevada Robotics’ Books and Bots Lessons. Teachers are learning how to use robots to meet PreK literacy and math standards, and how to develop early readers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.
Trainees are receiving a classroom robot set, free robot loans, parent resources, teaching supplies, classroom support as needed, and technical support.
METRICS (Mentoring Educators Teaching Robotics and Innovation in Computer Science) is engaging and ongoing training using Nevada Robotics’ Books and Bots Lessons. Teachers learn how to use robots to meet PreK-5 literacy and math standards, and how to develop early readers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.
Teachers will attend 7.5-hours of training and will receive free resources, robots, and books. This training is during the school day/contract hours, so stipends and certificates are not available.
FREE Resources
A classroom robot set
Robot loans
Books and Bots Lessons
Parent resources
Teaching supplies
Classroom support as needed
Technical support
Training Details
Sign in at 12:45 p.m.
Training from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
– Wednesday October 8
– Wednesday November 19
– Wednesday January 14
Location: 604 West Musser Street, Carson City
Participants must attend all three sessions.
Interested in learning more about opportunities to train with Nevada Robotics?
Contact AJ Long
Nevada Robotics Director
aj.long@dri.edu