Meet David Almanza

Meet David Almanza

Aug 12, 2024 |

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.

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project seeking volunteers for August 10

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project seeking volunteers for August 10

Aug 2, 2024 |

In an effort to better understand urban heat islands and their impacts on our region, a group of organizations, led by the Nevada State Climate Office, is seeking volunteers to track heat on August 10 for the Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project. Volunteers will set out in pairs to drive or navigate a predetermined route, equipped with a GPS-equipped temperature and humidity sensor that can be affixed to a volunteer’s car. The original project date was postponed due to unusually cool weather.

Reno Sparks Heat Mapping Project – Call for Volunteers!

Reno Sparks Heat Mapping Project – Call for Volunteers!

Jul 3, 2024 |

Did you know that Reno is the fastest-warming city in the United States? The data collected from this campaign can help allocate resources like tree planting, shade structure installation, and cooling centers. Volunteer to help us with this one-day heat mapping...

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Now Recruiting Volunteers

Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project Now Recruiting Volunteers

Jul 2, 2024 |

Scientists from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the University of Nevada, Reno are recruiting volunteers to conduct a one-day campaign to map extreme heat across Washoe County on July 27. community volunteers will fan out across the county to collect thousands of temperature and humidity measurements from early morning through evening, taken over 3 one-hour periods.

Meet Ariel Choinard, Project Coordinator for CNAP & Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab  

Meet Ariel Choinard, Project Coordinator for CNAP & Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab  

Oct 16, 2023 |

Ariel Choinard, M.A., started at DRI in February 2023 as the project coordinator for the California-Nevada Adaptation Program (CNAP) and the new Southern Nevada Heat Resiliency Lab. She is working with Tamara Wall, Ph.D., to build connections between scientists, community members, and community organizations to co-produce solutions, adaptations, and resilience to climate hazards.

DRI scientists investigate effectiveness of heat warnings along US-Mexico border

DRI scientists investigate effectiveness of heat warnings along US-Mexico border

Aug 25, 2020 | , ,

Featured research by DRI’s Kristin VanderMolen, Ben Hatchett, Erick Bandala, and Tamara Wall.
In July and August, daytime temperatures along parts of the US-Mexico border can reach as high as 120 degrees – more than 20 degrees above normal human body temperature. For agricultural workers and others who live and work in the region, exposure to these extreme high temperatures can result in serious health impacts including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat-related death.