Resources for Journalists
DRI’s Media Relations team is here to connect our scientists with journalists looking for expertise from expert sources.
Media Inquiries
If you are a reporter on deadline or have a media inquiry please email:
media@dri.edu
or contact
Elyse DeFranco
Elyse.DeFranco@dri.edu
(775) 673-7336
Detra Page:
Detra.Page@dri.edu
702-862-5597
DRI Experts for Common Media Topics
DRI Newsletter
Discover DRI through our monthly email newsletter! Sign up here to receive a monthly roundup of the latest DRI science news stories, researcher profiles, and event updates straight to your inbox.
Research Highlights
DRI in the News
NBC News – John Mejia
Phoenix ends 21-day streak of record October heat
Western Water Notes – Thomas Ott & Sayantan “Monty” Majumdar
Measuring water from the sky
KVVU- Fox 5 – Thomas Ott
Study: NASA satellites measure groundwater in Nevada, West
CPR News – Chris Pearson
Evaporation is a big deal in the arid West. Scientists say we should stop measuring it like the 1950s
Las Vegas Sun – Jesse Bonner
Don’t be shaken: Even in Nevada, earthquake preparation is a priority
Las Vegas Review-Journal – DRI
Las Vegas heat death toll cracks 400; coroner warns ‘numbers will go up’
Las Vegas Sun – Monica Gehrig
Desert Research Institute gets $2 million grant for environmental education
Las Vegas Review-Journal – DRI
‘Burners on high’: 2024 is the deadliest year for Las Vegas heat
Bloomberg – Tim Brown
Climate Change Is So Bad, Even the Arctic Is On Fire
The Fence Post – Dave Simeral
Intermountain West experienced record-setting hot summer
KVVU Fox 5 – Ariel Choinard
Las Vegas first responders work to improve heat response after record-breaking summer
TownLift – Meghan Collins
Meghan Collins to discuss NASA-supported winter weather project at Park City Library
News & Announcements
DRI Recruiting Fallon Community Members for Free Well Water Quality Testing
DRI scientists are recruiting fifteen Fallon residents with private wells to participate in a water quality study. All fifteen study participants will receive free water quality results, and a subset of the well owners will receive water filtration systems. The research will be used to identify the spatial extent and potential sources of contaminants such as pesticides, microplastics, and flame retardants and quantify the efficacy of treatment systems to reduce concentrations in drinking water.
Semi-Annual Reports
Research Highlights
Check out our latest Research Highlights 2024 Volume 2 Story Map to see a selection of DRI's impactful research and featured projects.
DRI Experts for Common Media Topics
Below is a limited sample of our scientists who are available to offer interviews and expertise to journalists looking for expert sources. DRI has a unique model that facilitates expertise across scientific disciplines, and many of our scientists have such a wide variety of expertise that it would be impossible to list them all here. This list is intended to provide the media with a starting point for identifying expert sources; please contact us for more information.
If you’d like assistance in contacting DRI faculty members or locating the appropriate experts for your story,
please contact Elyse DeFranco (Elyse.DeFranco@dri.edu) or Detra Page (Detra.Page@dri.edu).
Weather
Storms/Meteorology/Drought
Daniel McEvoy, Ph.D.
Dr. McEvoy is a researcher with the Western Regional Climate Center. His research interests are interdisciplinary and span the fields of climate, hydrology, and meteorology. He regularly offers his expertise to the media on topics related to weather monitoring and forecasting, including drought monitoring, seasonal drought prediction and impacts on fire seasons, snowpack reservoirs, and climatology. Dr. McEvoy is based in Reno.
Email: Daniel.McEvoy@dri.edu
David Simeral
Mr. Simeral is an associate research scientist in climatology with the Western Regional Climate Center. He has been a national author for the U.S. Drought Monitor since 2012 and works in collaboration with the NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System Regional Drought Early Warning Systems on drought-related issues for the western United States. Mr. Simeral offers expertise on drought monitoring. Mr. Simeral is based in Reno.
Email: David.Simeral@dri.edu
Atmospheric Rivers
Christine Albano, Ph.D.
Dr. Albano is an assistant research professor of ecohydrology. Her areas of expertise include the impacts of atmospheric rivers in the Western US, intensification of atmospheric thirst with climate change (the drying of surface water and plant life), groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and conservation planning. Dr. Albano is based in Lake Tahoe and Reno.
Email: Christine.Albano@dri.edu
Watch our video on YouTube for more information on Christine Albano and some of her atmospheric river research (ARkstorm)
Ariel Choinard, M.Sc.
Ms. Choinard is the project coordinator for the Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab as well as the California-Nevada Adaptation Program (CNAP). She offers expertise in the impacts of extreme heat on communities, particularly in southern Nevada. Ms. Choinard is based in Las Vegas.
Email: Ariel.Choinard@dri.edu
Read more about Ariel Choinard.
John Mejia, Ph.D.
Dr. Mejia is an associate research professor of climatology. He has extensive expertise on extreme heat and urban heat islands (how cities concentrate and increase heat), how heat intersects with air pollution, and urban climate solutions (such as urban forestry and reflective roofing). Dr. Mejia is based in Houston.
Email: John.Mejia@dri.edu
Read more about Dr. Mejia.
Kristin VanderMolen, Ph.D.
Dr. VanderMolen is an environmental anthropologist with research focused on climate impacts and adaptation, hazard risk communication, and information and health equity. She offers expertise on heat risk communication as well as air quality risk communication. Dr. VanderMolen is based in Reno.
Email: Kristin.VanderMolen@dri.edu
Guo Yu, Ph.D.
Dr. Yu is an assistant research professor of hydrometeorology. He offers expertise on urban flash floods, rainfall and flood frequency analyses, and wildfire impacts on flood risk. Dr. Yu is based in Reno.
Email: Guo.Yu@dri.edu
Anne Heggli, Ph.D.
Dr. Heggli is a staff research scientist of mountain hydrometeorology with particular expertise on rain-on-snow events (rainfall on top of snowpack) and associated flood risks, snowpack reservoirs, and weather-related risk communication. Dr. Heggli is based in Reno.
Email: Anne.Heggli@dri.edu
Read more about Dr. Heggli’s research.
Rosemary Carroll, Ph.D.
Dr. Carroll is a research professor of hydrology who offers expertise on flood risk, monsoons, drought, and snowpack reservoirs. Dr. Carroll is based in Colorado.
Email: Rosemary.Carroll@dri.edu
Read more about Dr. Carroll
David Mitchell, Ph.D.
Dr. Mitchell is an atmospheric scientist who is investigating the physics associated with cirrus cloud-thinning (CCT), a climate intervention idea designed to counteract the warming caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The research would help determine whether CCT is a viable idea. He specializes in cloud microphysics, climate dynamics, and the North American monsoon.
Email: David.Mitchell@dri.edu
Read more about Dr. Mitchell.
Frank McDonough, Ph.D.
Dr. McDonough is an atmospheric scientist and meteorologist who leads DRI’s cloud-seeding program. As an expert on cloud physics, he also offers expertise on aviation icing and wind turbine icing.
Email: Frank.McDonough@dri.edu
Read more about DRI’s cloud-seeding program or watch our video on YouTube.
Wildfire
Dr. Brown is the Director of the Western Regional Climate Center and the Program for Climate, Ecosystem, and Fire Applications. He specializes in connections between wildfires and climate, wildfire smoke impacts, wildland fire management planning, and decision-making and policy. Dr. Brown is based in Reno.
Email: Tim.Brown@dri.edu
Read more on Dr. Brown.
Dennis Hallema, Ph.D.
Dr. Hallema is an expert in fire science with particular interest in the impacts of wildfire on water quality. Dr. Hallema is based in Reno.
Email: Dennis.Hallema@dri.edu
Water
Gabrielle Boisramé, Ph.D.
Dr. Boisramé is a research professor and environmental engineer with a focus on how managing wildfire in landscapes can improve water resources and forest health. She also has expertise on agricultural water management, wetland and stream restoration, groundwater management, and climate change impacts on water resources. Dr. Boisramé is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Email: Gabrielle.Boisrame@dri.edu
Braimah Apambire, Ph.D.
Dr. Apambire is a hydrogeologist and the Director of the Center for International Water and Sustainability with particular expertise in rural water systems and international water, sanitation, and hygiene. He is an international development expert who has conducted extensive research on improving water systems in Ghana. Dr. Apambire is based in Reno.
Email: Braimah.Apambire@dri.edu
Monica Arienzo, Ph.D.
Dr. Arienzo is an associate research professor of hydrology who leads the Microplastics and Environmental Chemistry Research Team, which applies chemical techniques to study surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and seasonal snow. She has particular expertise on microplastics as contaminants in water and snow, and was the first researcher to discover microplastics in Lake Tahoe. Dr. Arienzo’s work focuses on the Lake Tahoe and Sierra Nevada region and extends to Cambodia’s Mekong River.
Email: Monica.Arienzo@dri.edu
Daniel Saftner, M.Sc.
Mr. Saftner is a hydrogeologist with expertise on household and community drinking water quality, groundwater and surface water contaminants (including arsenic, lithium, and PFAS), water filtration, aquifer resilience and drought, and water resources management. He also has expertise on the potential impacts of lithium extraction on water in Nevada. Mr. Saftner is based in Reno.
Email: Daniel.Saftner@dri.edu
Air Quality
Dr. Chow is a research professor of atmospheric science with more than 40 years of experience in atmospheric, air quality, and environmental health research and education. She is the co-founder and leader of DRI’s Environmental Analysis Facility that applies advanced methods for pollutant analyses. She has extensive experience in identifying air pollution sources and their effects on health, climate, visibility, ecosystems, and cultural artifacts. She is one of seven chartered members of the U.S. EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and a former member of the National Research Council’s Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter. Dr. Chow is based in Reno.
Email: Judy.Chow@dri.edu
John Watson, Ph.D.
Dr. Watson is a research professor of atmospheric sciences who has contributed to air pollution studies throughout the world for nearly 50 years. He specializes in air quality measurements, methods for tracing pollutants to their sources, and adverse effects of air pollutants. Much of his current research focuses on ozone and particulate matter. He is co-founder and leader of DRI’s Environmental Analysis Facility. He is recognized as one of the World’s Best Environmental Scientists by Research.com and has received numerous awards for scientific achievement. Dr. Watson is based in Reno.
Email: John.Watson@dri.edu
Xiaoliang Wang, Ph.D.
Dr. Wang is a research professor of atmospheric science who offers expertise on air quality and pollution source characterization, especially aerosols and particulate matter. He has studied air quality as it relates to wildfires, controlled burns, vehicle emissions, dust, and industrial smokestacks, among other sources, Dr. Wang is based in Reno.
Email: Xiaoliang.Wang@dri.edu
Life in Extreme Environments
Dr. Murray is a molecular microbial ecologist and biological oceanographer. She offers expertise on astrobiology (life detection methods), polar microbial ecosystems, and marine microorganisms. She is co-leading NASA’s Network for Ocean Worlds program and was co-chair of a Europa Lander Science Definition Team. She conducts field work around the world, including the Antarctic Peninsula, the North Slope of Alaska, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents, to study microorganisms that thrive in diverse and extreme environments. Dr. Murray is based in Reno.
Email: Alison.Murray@dri.edu
Henry Sun, Ph.D.
Dr. Sun is a research professor of microbiology with expertise in life in extreme environments, including methods for detecting life on Mars, as well as microbial communities of Antarctica, the Atacama Desert, and Death Valley. Dr. Sun is based in Las Vegas.
Email: Henry.Sun@dri.edu
Duane Moser, Ph.D.
Dr. Moser is an environmental scientist with expertise in astrobiology, water biogeochemistry (aquifers, lakes, oceans, and rivers), public health microbiology (such as virus detection in wastewater), emerging contaminants (such as pharmaceuticals in water resources), and environmental DNA methods for endangered species protection. He leads the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory and is based in Las Vegas.
Email: Duane.Moser@dri.edu
Climate Change Adaptation
Dr. Wall is a researcher in the Western Regional Climate Center. She leads the California-Nevada Adaptation Program and offers expertise on community resilience and adaptation, particularly as it relates to climate change and wildfire risk. Dr. Wall is based in Reno.
Email: Tamara.Wall@dri.edu
Maureen McCarthy, Ph.D.
Dr. McCarthy is a research professor of environmental science. She leads the Native Waters on Arid Lands project and offers expertise on climate resiliency and climate change adaptation in Native American communities.
Email: Maureen.McCarthy@dri.edu
Derek Kauneckis, Ph.D.
Dr. Kauneckis conducts research on community and regional adaptation to climate change, environmental governance, and cooperative water management.
Email: Derek.Kauneckis@dri.edu
Wildlife and Plants
Ms. Pereira is an ecologist and scientific illustrator who specializes in the flora and fauna of the desert southwest. She offers expertise on desert tortoises, rare plants, endangered and threatened species, botany, restoration ecology, and natural resource management. Ms. Pereira is based in Las Vegas.
Email: Tiffany.Pereira@dri.edu
More on Dr. Pereira on our YouTube Channel
Amy Langston, Ph.D.
Dr. Langston is an ecologist focused on the responses of ecosystems to climate change and other disturbances. She specializes in coastal and desert ecosystems including salt marshes, mangroves, and threats to the Mojave Desert. Dr. Langston is based in Reno.
Email: Amy.Langston@dri.edu
Mark Hausner, Ph.D.
Dr. Hausner is an ecologist and hydrologist with expertise on the Devil’s Hole pupfish. Dr. Hausner is based in Reno.
Email: Mark.Hausner@dri.edu
Citizen Science
Meghan Collins, M.S.
Ms. Collins specializes in the research and practice of science communication. She leads engagement strategies for several citizen science projects on snow, fire, and water, and coordinates mentorship and STEM internship programs at DRI.
Email: Meghan.Collins@dri.edu
STEM Education
Ms. McDonald-Williams is the STEM Education Program Manager at DRI, and leads efforts to integrate science education programming into K-12 Nevada schools. For more info, visit Science Alive.
Email: Emily.McDonald-Williams@dri.edu
A.J. Long, M.A.
Ms. Long is an engineering education manager who leads Nevada Robotics, a DRI program to bring engineering and robotics education to pre-K schools through colleges statewide.
Email: AJ.Long@dri.edu
Contact Us
Elyse DeFranco
Science Writer
elyse.defranco@dri.edu | 775-673-7336
Detra Page
Communications Manager
Detra.Page@dri.edu | 702-862-5597