DRI scientist Kristin VanderMolen, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2025 Rising Researcher Award in recognition of her outstanding early-career accomplishments and potential for advancing scientific knowledge in the field of applied anthropology.
Dr. VanderMolen is an Assistant Research Professor in DRI’s Division of Atmospheric Sciences, where her work focuses on climate impacts and adaptation. Her interdisciplinary research addresses critical societal challenges, particularly the impacts of climate variability, wildfire smoke, and extreme heat on vulnerable communities.
With a background in environmental anthropology, Dr. VanderMolen employs an innovative approach to enhance community resilience and inform public policy. Some of her current and recent projects include: investigating ways to increase the reach and effectiveness of heat risk education and warning messaging; assessing household strategies for managing wildfire smoke and extreme heat during compound events; and deploying air quality monitoring stations and developing effective communication methods on the risks of wildfire smoke exposure for rural Nevada communities.
“I am honored to receive this award,” VanderMolen said. “I am also grateful for the recognition of research that is largely community and stakeholder-driven and that aims to address public needs.”
Dr. VanderMolen began at DRI in 2016 as a postdoctoral fellow and became an Assistant Research Professor in 2018. Dr. VanderMolen completed her Ph.D. in environmental anthropology at the University of Georgia, Athens, an M.A. in Latin American studies at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar in Quito, Ecuador, and a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in geography at Humboldt State University.
Dr. VanderMolen has led and participated in numerous high-impact projects funded by agencies such as NOAA and the EPA focused on wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and climate resilience in vulnerable communities. Her collaborative approach and commitment to mentoring early-career researchers further demonstrate her leadership and dedication to advancing environmental science. Her service contributions at DRI and active participation in scientific review processes highlight her dedication to the academic community.
“Dr. Kristin VanderMolen is a rising leader in environmental anthropology and atmospheric sciences, recognized for her innovative, interdisciplinary research and impactful scholarship,” said Amanda Keen-Zebert, Interim Director of Research Operations. “Her ability to bridge scientific inquiry with real-world application highlights her role as a thought leader in the environmental sciences and a highly deserving recipient of this award.”
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