Las Vegas Archives

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.

Collage of US Maps showing the annual average temperature from 1900s through 2020s.

An Invisible Natural Disaster

By Elyse DeFranco | Aug 15, 2025 | Featured projects, Elyse DeFranco

Earth is hotter than it has been in 125,000 years, and DRI scientists are striving to uncover the impacts of a warmer atmosphere.

DRI Contributes to Study Using AI in Wastewater Surveillance for Detection of Emerging Virus Pathogens

By Elyse DeFranco | Aug 5, 2025 | News releases, Research findings, Elyse DeFranco

DRI Microbiologist Duane Moser co-authored a new study which introduces an AI-driven approach for the rapid detection and characterization of emerging variants during wastewater surveillance. The research builds on his earlier work helping to establish wastewater monitoring as a cost-effective tool for tracking pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

View of side walk in front of Bellagio in Las Vegas with trees lining the right side.

A New, Detailed Analysis of the Benefits and Trade-offs of Urban Street Trees in Las Vegas

By Elyse DeFranco | Jun 24, 2025 | Research findings, Elyse DeFranco

Earth is hotter than it has been in 125,000 years, scientists say, and Las Vegas continues to break temperature records. Planting and preserving the city’s street trees is one method that brings many benefits, from the cool air of their shade to their ability to store carbon. Now, a new study takes a deeper look at just how much trees can offer Sin City, as well as the water tradeoffs inherent in growing trees in a desert.

Tiffany and Tsvetelina holding the seedling guide in front of a blooming desert plant with yellow flowers.

Tiffany Pereira Blends Art and Science in New Mojave Seedling Guide

By Elyse DeFranco | Mar 19, 2025 | Featured projects, Elyse DeFranco

The ecologist and illustrator created a first-of-its-kind seedling guide to help land managers and community members identify native plant seeds and aid with restoration work. DRI sat down with Pereira for more information about her goals and inspiration for the project, the benefits of fusing art with science, and the miracles contained in the tiniest seeds.

DRI Launches Statewide Science Storytelling Series

By Detra Page | Jan 23, 2025 | Announcements, Detra Page

DRI announces the launch of a series of community-based events in Las Vegas and Reno that celebrate how science shapes our lives, fuels creativity, and deepens our understanding of the world by underscoring the transformative power of curiosity and knowledge. Curiosity Lab by DRI will feature DRI scientists and other guests to address some of the world’s most urgent concerns while also telling the tale of what it means to live in Nevada on the front lines of a changing climate.

Four winners of the 2024 Celebration of Science Awards standing in a line outside in front of pine trees.

Annual Awards Presented to DRI Faculty and Staff at 2024 Celebration of Science

By Elyse DeFranco | Oct 16, 2024 | Awards and Honors, Elyse DeFranco

DRI’s annual awards and recognition ceremonies were held at our Reno and Las Vegas campuses in early October to honor scientists and staff members for their achievements. Along with the below awardees, several faculty and staff were recognized for their long-term service to the institute. DRI prides itself on fostering a fulfilling workplace that builds internal community and inspires scientific discovery.

Guo Yu Awarded Funding from USGS to Expand Research Examining Compounding Risks of Wildfires and Floods

By Paula Loop | Sep 10, 2024 | Announcements, Paula Loop

Guo Yu, assistant research professor of hydrometeorology, along with collaborator Luke McGuire from the University of Arizona, received a three-year grant from the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program. The funding will be used to expand his work examining how repeated wildfires impact flooding risk in communities.

Darkened conference room with panelists on stage sitting in chairs. The audience is seated at round tables.

DRI’s AWE+ Summit Tackles Wildfire Resilience and Recovery

By DRI Communications | Aug 23, 2024 | Announcements, DRI Communications

DRI, one of our nation’s leading applied environmental research institutes, together with the DRI Foundation, this week held its inaugural AWE+ Summit -Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions. The summit is a call-to-action for communities to implement measures that support resilience and human adaptability to devastating wildfire events. Nationally recognized scientific leaders discussed challenges, progress, and hope through actions that will lead to solutions.

David Almanza standing outside in front of a tree in a light blue collared shirt and wearing glasses.

Meet David Almanza

By Elyse DeFranco | Aug 12, 2024 | Featured researchers, Elyse DeFranco

David Almanza, Ph.D., joined DRI this summer as a postdoctoral researcher in urban climate adaptation. He is working with Ariel Choinard in the Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab to examine how heat is impacting communities in and around Las Vegas. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Almanza grew up in Las Vegas and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2023. In this interview, Almanza discusses his social science training, what it means to center research on your own community, and his love for Las Vegas eateries.