Telling the story of research and innovation at DRI
DRI’s Office External Affairs and Communications provides support to research faculty and staff to generate awareness and engagement that inspires action to sustain research at DRI.
Media Inquiries
If you are a reporter on deadline or have a media inquiry please email media@dri.edu or call Detra Page, 702.862.5597 (office) or 702.591.3786 (cell).
DRI Newsletter
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Public Record Requests
The Office of Communications and Government Affairs is responsible for responding to requests made under the Nevada Public Records Act (N.R.S. 239 et seq). To submit a request, please use click below.
NSHE (Nevada System of Higher Education) Procedures and Guidelines Manual – NSHE Fees for Public Records Request.
Our Communications Team
Tracy Bower
Director of External Affairs
Tracy serves as DRI’s primary liaison with the community, including media, regional, state, and local officials. She directs the Institute’s policies and objectives for all state government and local affairs, and leads the communications and external engagement activities.
Tracy.Bower@dri.edu | 702-862-5404
Detra Page
Communications Manager
Detra serves as DRI’s primary media contact and manages the day-to-day operations of the Communications Office including DRI’s creative and digital marketing services, public information and community engagement.
Detra.Page@dri.edu | 702-862-5597
Kelsey Fitzgerald
Senior communications officer
Kelsey serves as DRI’s primary science writer, working with scientists to communicate their research to the public and/or other scientists through press releases and a variety of other digital media products such as web pages, blog posts, photography, and podcasts. She also assists with the creation of content for newsletters, fact sheets, reports, or any other type of outreach materials needed for projects.
Tommy Gugino
Web and Digital Engagement Administrator
Tommy serves as DRI’s Web and Digital Engagement Administrator for the Office of External Affairs and Communications. He manages the Institute’s website (dri.edu), Intranet, and social media platforms (Including their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn). Tommy also serve as DRIs Accessibility Officer, working to maintain compliance and educate faculty and staff on WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards for website and digital media accessibility.
tommy.gugino@dri.edu | 702-862-5497
Meghan Collins
Education Program Manager
Meghan coordinates DRI’s science communication efforts, including co-hosting the Science Distilled lecture series in collaboration with the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum. She leads DRI’s citizen science programs including Stories in the Snow, in which community members share pictures of freshly-fallen snow crystals through a smartphone app called Citizen Science Tahoe. She has also been involved as an educator/science communicator in a range of other programs, including Native Waters on Arid Lands and the new microplastics research program at DRI.
Meghan.Collins@dri.edu | 775.673.6759
Alison Swallow
Business Manager
Alison serves as the business manager and program lead for the Office of External Affairs and Communications. She provides executive support to DRI faculty and staff with regards to public outreach and communications and external affairs needs. She also monitors legislation on a state and national level to ensure DRI’s interests are followed Assists in coordinating internal and external events in Southern Nevada.
Alison.Swallow@dri.edu | 702-862-4512
Talitha LaPutt
Project Coordinator II
Talitha LaPutt is the Project Coordinator II for DRI External Affairs and Communication. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, and received her B.A. in Romance Languages from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
talitha.laputt@dri.edu | 702-862-4512