News & Announcements
Working to Solve our Most Challenging Environmental Problems
DRI’s research calls on the expertise and methods of scientists from multiple scientific disciplines. More than 600 highly-skilled scientists, engineers, technicians, students, and staff work collaboratively within and across three research divisions, focused on understanding and answering critical science questions about global climate change, water quality and availability, air quality, the sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, education, and more.
Wildfires Are Increasingly Burning California’s Snowy Landscapes and Colliding with Winter Droughts to Shrink California’s Snowpack
A DRI-led team examined what happens to mountain snowpacks when sunny, midwinter dry spells occur in forests impacted by severe wildfire.
A Changing Flood Recipe for Las Vegas
Researchers found that urbanization and climate change are changing the strength and seasonality of flooding in the Las Vegas region.
Spring Sunny Heat Waves Caused Record Snowmelt in 2021, Adding to Severe Water Supply Impacts Across the Western U.S.
DRI researchers examined the role of spring heatwaves on the snowmelt rates of mountain snowpacks across the West.
DRI Leading $5 Million Regional Climate Adaptation Project
With $5 million from NOAA’s Climate Adaptation Partners initiative, CNAP will focus on preparing communities to address local climate hazards.
Nevada NASA Programs appoint new Project Director, Dr. Eric Wilcox
Nevada NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant Consortium announced the new Project Director, Dr. Eric Wilcox, DRI research professor of atmospheric science.
Successful Citizen Science Weather Tracking Effort Goes National, Receives Three Additional Years of Funding From NASA
Researchers from Lynker, DRI, and UNR are partnering with community observers to track winter storms activity through Mountain Rain or Snow.
Scientists Uncover Conditions Key to Formation of the Great Barrier Reef
Scientists have sought to understand the conditions that led to the Great Barrier Reef’s formation. A new study claims to have the answer.
Footprints Claimed as Evidence of Ice Age Humans in North America Need Better Dating, New Research Shows
Recent research claimed that preserved footprints were from the last ice age. Now, a new study disputes the evidence of such an early age.
Childhood Traumas Strongly Impact Both Mental and Physical Health
Most Americans report experiencing at least one childhood trauma and these experiences have significant impacts on our health as adults.
DRI Recognizes Lily Hahn as the 2022 Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award-Winner for Women in Atmospheric Sciences
The 24th annual Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences has been awarded to Lily Hahn.
Elevated levels of arsenic and other metals found in Nevada’s private wells
Some tested private wells in Nevada are contaminated with levels of heavy metals that exceed federal, state or health-based guidelines.
DRI Welcomes Emily McDonald-Williams as STEM Education Program Manager
Desert Research Institute (DRI) is excited to welcome Emily McDonald-Williams as its STEM Education Program Manager.