Innovation Research Program

Scientists in burning forest testing drone capability

ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, APPLYING SOLUTIONS TO OUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGES.
The DRI Foundation created the Innovation Research Program (IRP) to increase the opportunities for DRI’s faculty and technical staff to succeed in their research by financially supporting their very best ideas. This financial support enhances DRI’s reputation as a world leader in critical environmental research and attracts talented scientists to the Institute.

Innovation Research Program (IRP) funds go directly to scientists as they carry on DRI’s legacy of bringing scientific knowledge to bear on society. With a gift to the IRP this year, you too can be part of the future of environmental research.

Round 2 – 2020 IRP SEED GRANT PROJECTS

In April 2020, the DRI Foundation announced the second round of seed grants awarded by the IRP. Thanks to the support of generous donors, over $200,000 was awarded to six teams of researchers that will be exploring innovative ideas hoping to solve challenges in everything from Nevada’s agricultural industry to the cannabis industry and water resource management. The research teams will complete these projects over the course of the next year. 

  1. Mary Cablk, Yeongkwon Son, and Andrey Khlystov are – Advancing the science behind canine odor detection evidence in criminal trials
  2. Kristin VanderMolen is – Supporting climate adaptation for specialty crop farmers
  3. Ming Liu is – Enhancing soil moisture data to improve hydrologic modeling
  4. Joe McConnell, Nathan Chellman, and Christine Albano are – Tracing the history of atmospheric river events to improve water resource management in the Western U.S.
  5. David Campbell is – Evaluating health risks from cannabis smoking and vaping
  6. Jack Gillies and Eden Furtak-Cole are – Advancing our understanding of dust emission risks to improve air quality

Round One – 2018 IRP SEED GRANT PROJECTS

In October 2018, the DRI Foundation announced the first round of seed grants awarded by the IRP. Thanks to the support of generous donors, $257,000 was awarded to eight teams of researchers that will be exploring innovative ideas related not only to human health and welfare but also to the well-being of the natural systems we depend on. The research teams will complete these projects over the course of the next year. 

Innovation Research Program
  1. Dan McEvoy, Ben Hatchett, & Justin Chambers are developing new tools to track snow drought throughout the western United States.
  2. Eric Wilcox & Marco Giardano are designing novel sky-imaging tools to forecast fluctuations in solar power production based on cloud cover.
  3. Vera Samburova & Andrey Khlystov are creating new ways to analyze human breath in order to learn about exposure to pollutants.
  4. Hai Pham & Markus Berli are examining the relationship between wildfire and groundwater resources.
  5. Rishi Parashar & Nicole Sund are mapping the distribution of anti-cancer drugs through the bloodstream for the effective treatment of tumors.
  6. Yeongkwon Son & Andrey Khlystov are crafting tools to measure the harmful emissions of electronic cigarettes.
  7. Monica Arienzo, Zoe Harrold, & Meghan Collins are investigating the impact of microplastics on the aquatic ecosystems in Lake Tahoe.
  8. Vic Etyemezian & George Nikolich are building new instruments to simulate erosion of soils by wind.