Reno Archives

Bringing Wildfire Science Into the 21st Century

By Paula Loop | Mar 19, 2026 | Featured projects, Paula Loop

The Harnessing the Data Revolution for Fire Science project is bringing researchers from DRI, UNR, and UNLV together to tackle dozens of questions about wildfires -- from the impacts on air quality and hydrology to the way that plants and soils recover from burns. The project is treating wildfire as a continuum rather than as a single event, linking together the landscape and climate conditions that exist before the fire, the physical and chemical processes happening during the active burn, and the way the ecosystem responds and recovers.

Family silhouette in front of house and clouds.

Take Charge of Your Estate: DRI Foundation Partners with Community Foundation for 7-Week Series

By DRI Communications | Mar 11, 2026 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Interested in learning more about estate planning and want to take charge of your estate matters? Sign up for the Family Estate Planning Series, presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and PBS Reno! The free, in-person 7-week Spring Family Estate Planning Series will take place on Wednesdays, March 18 – April 29, 2026. Each week will feature subject-matter experts as guest speakers and cover the fundamentals of estate planning.

An aerial view of a green valley with mountains in the distance.

New Tool Will Help Manage One of Nevada’s Most Critical Freshwater Sources

By DRI Communications | Jan 26, 2026 | Announcements, DRI Communications

The Nature Conservancy in Nevada (TNC in Nevada), DRI, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW-Madison) have developed the Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer Tool. This new online resource helps land and water managers understand how groundwater supports groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and how changes in water levels can affect them.

A map of the North American Continent with a background image of the desert on a rainy day.

A Rare Desert Plant Shows Benefits of Sustainability Efforts at a Large Solar Array in the Mojave Desert

By Elyse DeFranco | Jan 13, 2026 | Research findings, Elyse DeFranco

Although sunlight is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy available, clearing large swathes of desert habitat to build solar arrays has consequences for the plants and animals it displaces. Researchers are trying to find better ways to preserve desert landscapes without impeding solar energy development. Now, a new study demonstrates that with careful planning and consideration for the ecosystem around it, at least one desert plant is surviving — and thriving — amidst the solar panels helping to power Las Vegas.

Prakash Gautam in the lab working with equipment and wearing protective eye covering.

Meet Prakash Gautam

By Elyse DeFranco | Nov 6, 2025 | Featured researchers, Elyse DeFranco

Prakash Gautam, Ph.D., is an Assistant Research Professor in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences and the Director of DRI’s Optics Lab: “Gautam Laboratory for Advanced Aerosol Dynamics and Light Scattering Research.” He has been with DRI since August 1, 2022, when he first joined as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Gautam also serves as Graduate Faculty in the Physics and Atmospheric Sciences departments at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he contributes graduate teaching, mentorship, and research collaboration. His work seeks to understand how atmospheric particles interact with light in order to better understand atmospheric components.

In the following interview, Gautam shares his dual passions for physics and tennis and offers insight on creating a successful career in science.

Ashley presenting at a podium with a microphone and American flag in the background.

DRI Recognizes Ashley Cornish as the 2025 Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award Winner for Women in Atmospheric Sciences

By Elyse DeFranco | Oct 8, 2025 | Awards and Honors, Elyse DeFranco

DRI is pleased to announce that the 27th annual Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences has been awarded to Ashley Cornish of the University of Georgia. The Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences is an annual competition recognizing the published works of women pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. in the atmospheric sciences or any related program at a university in the United States. The award is presented to women graduate students with outstanding academic publications and includes a $1,500 prize. This award has been presented annually by DRI since 1998 and is the only such honor designated for graduate women in the atmospheric sciences in the United States.

Student researchers sorting through microplastics on the beach.

DRI Internships Offer TMCC Students Insight Into Science Careers

By Elyse DeFranco | Sep 3, 2025 | Announcements, Elyse DeFranco

This summer, DRI brought eighteen students from Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) to our Reno campus for a paid, immersive research experience. Over the course of the ten week program, students worked under the mentorship of DRI faculty members to learn about the process of using scientific research to solve real-world problems. This unique internship program welcomes all students, not only those pursuing majors in science.

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.

Photo of Erik overlooking the canyon at Zion National Park on a snowy day.

Meet Erik Henzl

By Elyse DeFranco | Aug 12, 2025 | Featured researchers, Elyse DeFranco

Erik Henzl is a Staff Research Scientist and environmental economist who joined DRI in January 2025. Based at DRI’s Reno campus, he is currently focused on estimating the water and energy required to support Nevada’s rapidly expanding data centers now and into the future. In the following interview, he shares his passion for learning as a vocation and how his research will help Nevada navigate its growing role in the digital world.

Downtown Reno, Nevada under smoky skies.

DRI Recruiting Washoe County Community Members for Research on the Health Impacts of Heat and Wildfire Smoke

By Elyse DeFranco | Jul 31, 2025 | Announcements, Elyse DeFranco

DRI and Northern Nevada Public Health are recruiting Washoe County community members for a research project examining heat and air quality impacts on household health. Participants should be 18 or older and live in Washoe County.