Behind the Science Blog
DRI’s “Behind the Science” blog featuring our people and projects
Read the stories below to learn more about the amazing people and projects happening at DRI.
DRI Internships Offer Nevada Students Experience with Research and Insight into STEM Careers
This summer and fall, DRI brought twelve students from Nevada’s community and state colleges to the Las Vegas and Reno campuses for a paid, immersive research experience. Over the course of the 16-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, who are in their first or second year of enrollment at local state and community colleges.
DRI Recognizes Andrea Gordon as the 2023 Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award-Winner for Women in Atmospheric Sciences
DRI is pleased to announce that the 25th annual Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences has been awarded to Andrea Gordon of the University of Oklahoma. An award ceremony commemorating her achievement was held at the DRI campus in Reno on Sep. 21, 2023.
More Heatwaves and Vanishing Snow: The Lake Tahoe Basin’s Future on a Warming Planet
DRI scientists produced the most detailed projections yet for how the region’s landscape will be impacted by climate change. Lake Tahoe is known for its crystal-clear blue water, scenic mountain backdrop, and world-class recreation opportunities. Unfortunately, the lake and surrounding basin aren’t insulated from global climate change.
Meet Microplastics Research Students Angelique DePauw and Olivia Hines
Angelique DePauw and Olivia Hines are undergraduate student researchers in the Microplastics and Environmental Chemistry Lab. Together, they are conducting an experiment comparing the decomposition rates of plastic and plastic-alternative straws.
Meet Sayantan (Monty) Majumdar, Ph.D.
Sayantan Majumdar, Ph.D., joined DRI in June 2023 as an assistant research professor of hydrologic sciences and remote sensing. Majumdar, who also goes by the name “Monty,” also specializes in machine learning, geospatial data science, and scientific software development.
Cracking the Mysterious Case of Dying Desert Forests
DRI researchers are trying to solve the mystery of mass die-offs of screwbean mesquite trees, a critical part of their desert ecosystem.
Looking for Answers in a Warming World
DRI researchers are examining the potential for climate intervention techniques to help cool communities – and the planet
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Awarded to Microplastics Researcher Rachel Kozloski
Rachel Kozloski is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Monica Arienzo’s lab focused on the movement and characteristics of microplastics in ground and surface water.
Field Notes From DRI’s Ice Core Team in Greenland: A Story Map
A team of DRI scientists returned to Greenland in May 2023, where they are drilling a 150m long ice core to study interactions between ice chemistry and microbial life.
A Community-Centered Approach to Air Quality Assessment
Researchers from DRI and UNLV teamed up with a Las Vegas community concerned about a neighboring asphalt plant to measure their air quality.
Come Rain or Shine: Rainwater Harvesting for Food Production in the Face of Drought
Brianda Hernandez Rosales examined the use of rainwater harvesting to support food sovereignty for the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
DRI Student Interns Explore Northern Nevada’s Natural Hazards
In this story, we highlight the work of DRI interns Phillips Nguyen and Alexius Jessup-Raju, two students from Truckee Meadows Community College, as they explore natural hazards and their impacts on house ownership and aquatic environments.
DRI Student Interns Join Efforts to Improve Drinking Water Access in Ghanaian Communities
Braimah Apambire’s student interns studied water and sanitation improvement for Ghanaian communities during the fall 2022 semester.