Desert Research Institute

The fall issue of the NWRRI newsletter is now available on our website. Read now at bit.ly/nwrrinov25

Inside, you'll find articles on the research being conducted in Nevada as part of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) program. Learn more: www.dri.edu/nwrri #NWRRI

The 2025 Curiosity Lab season is a wrap—thank you to our speakers, sponsors, partners, and everyone who joined us!

✨ 2026 season tickets are now available! Secure your spot for another year of inspiring stories, science, and community: dri.edu/curiositylab

#CuriosityLab #DiscoverDRI

Congrats to Pablo on being the first student to receive the FAA107 UAS/Drone pilot certification as a part of the AACT high school Aviation Academy. The DRI Nevada Robotics team is proud to have provided #drone training and inspire the next generation of #UAS careers in #Nevada.
#NevadaRobotics

Group of children and an adult giving thumbs up in a DRI lab.

DRI was happy to host a community #LEGO #robotics team named #Reno Rovers on our campus. Children in grades 3rd to 7th got to experience a behind the scenes look at the robotics lab with DRI archaeologist Teresa Wriston, Ph.D., RPA.
#DiscoverDRI #STEM

Nevada Day From the snow-capped peaks of the Sierras to the sandstone of Southern Nevada, and everything in between, DRI's impact is as expansive as the silver state itself.

Recently, in celebration of #Nevada Day, DRI highlighted the work our scientists do across this great state to help create a more sustainable and resilient environment for all people to live, grow, and prosper. Learn more: bit.ly/nvday25 #ScienceThatMattersNow #SupportDRI

#ICYMI: At our recent Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown, DRI archaeologist Megan Stueve shared how #VirtualOutdoorExperiences (VOEs) are making Nevada’s cultural and natural sites accessible to everyone.

Explore the new VOE landing page and take a virtual step into Nevada’s past:
🔗 dri.edu/voe

We are excited to share that DRI's Anne Heggli's work appears in this year’s Pace Layers journal, a publication dedicated to long-term thinking and enduring futures.

You can learn more about the issue at longnow.org/pacelayers

📸 From our campuses to field sites around the world—DRI faculty, students, and staff shared their best shots for our 2025 photo contest!

👍 Vote by liking your favorites on Facebook before Dec. 2. The top photo wins DRI swag!

👉 bit.ly/driphotocontest2025

#DiscoverDRI #DRIscience

Thanks to everyone who joined us for The Possible Unknown—our final #CuriosityLab of 2025 in Las Vegas! We explored stories of innovation and determination with DRI's Megan Stueve, race designer Ryan Cooper, and scholar Dr. Julian Kilker.

Learn more about #VirtualOutdoorExperiences ➡️ dri.edu/voe

Meet Prakash Gautam 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,...

Learn about DRI's Prakash Gautam & his message to young scientists & early-career researchers, "There are no fixed rules for success. Think independently, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take bold and unconventional paths. If the right opportunity doesn’t exist, create it." bit.ly/meetprakash

Two people standing at a boothat a conference, displaying various weather forecasting tools and maps.

DRI’s Maureen McCarthy spoke at #CleanCurrents2025 on how extreme weather affects #hydropower reliability & resilience. The conference highlighted DRI’s cutting-edge research & modeling tools for understanding changing conditions.
📸 Kristen O'Shea and Maureen at DRI’s booth. #ScienceThatMattersNow

Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.

🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.

🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.

🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.

🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

Annual Awards Presented to DRI Faculty and Staff at 2025 Celebration of Science DRI's annual awards and recognition ceremonies were held at our Reno and Las Vegas campuses in October to honor scientists and staff members for their achievements. Along with the below awardees, several faculty and staff were recognized for their long-...

DRI’s annual awards & recognition honored scientists & staff for their achievements. Employees were also recognized for their long-term service. DRI prides itself on fostering a workplace that builds internal community & inspires scientific discovery. bit.ly/driawards #DiscoverDRI #ScienceAwards

Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.

🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

Celebrate #NevadaDay with curiosity! 🎉

Join DRI archaeologist Megan Stueve on Nov. 5 for Las Vegas #CuriosityLab: The Possible Unknown as she explores how digital tools make Nevada’s landscapes accessible to all.

🎟 Get tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

#DiscoverDRI #VirtualOutdoorExperiences

Born in the Silver State, science that meets the moment happens here. This #NevadaDay, help DRI build a brighter future for Nevada.

💙 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#EnvironmentalResearch #ScienceThatMattersNow #DiscoverDRI

DRI archaeologists work to uncover and preserve the pieces of our past that help us understand who we are today.

This #NevadaDay, support science that protects Nevada’s history for generations to come. 🌎

👉 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#Archaeology #NevadaHistory #DiscoverDRI

This #NevadaDay, we’re celebrating science that protects Nevada’s natural beauty. From seed germination to restoration ecology, DRI’s Conservation Ecology Lab helps preserve the landscapes we love.

Help support science for our future generations: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

We were honored to welcome K-Nevada Gateway 2025 participants to our Reno campus! In partnership with GOED, EDAWN, and the NCAR, this initiative connects Korea’s top deep-tech startups with Nevada’s innovation network in AI, clean tech, and smart agriculture. #sciencethatmattersnow

From Lake Tahoe’s watershed to the hot springs of the Black Rock Desert, DRI scientists are uncovering how microplastics affect Nevada’s ecosystems & health. 🌎

Support #ScienceThatMattersNow this #NevadaDay: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#Microplastics #DiscoverDRI

DRI's Vera Samburova is leading an effort to study how wildfires, including Reno's recent Rancho Fire, are changing the chemical properties of soils. Learn more: bit.ly/soilchem #ScienceThatMattersNow

In the nation’s driest state, every drop counts. 💧 DRI scientists are helping Nevada manage and protect its water for a sustainable future.

Support #ScienceThatMattersNow this #NevadaDay: www.dri.edu/nevadaday 💙

#WaterResearch #DiscoverDRI

Reno & Las Vegas are among the fastest-warming cities in the U.S. DRI’s Nevada Heat Lab is developing solutions for heat adaptation & resilience across our state.

Support #ScienceThatMattersNow this #NevadaDay: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#ExtremeHeat #DiscoverDRI

From wildfire smoke to dust in the desert, air quality affects us all. DRI scientists are studying its impact on health to protect communities across Nevada & beyond.

Support #ScienceThatMattersNow this #NevadaDay: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#AirQualityResearch #DiscoverDRI

Congratulations to DRI's Prakash Gautam for receiving the 2025 Aerosol Science and Technology Outstanding Reviewer Award at the Annual @americanaerosol.bsky.social Conference. Visit our website for more information on Dr. Gautam's work: www.dri.edu/labs/driscattering #DiscoverDRI

Since the 1990s, DRI scientists have been at the forefront of wildfire research—linking fire, drought & extreme weather, and finding solutions to protect our soil & water.

This #NevadaDay, support #ScienceThatMattersNow: www.dri.edu/nevadaday

#WildfireResearch #DiscoverDRI

Out in Nevada’s rocky landscapes, DRI archaeologists are using 360° cameras to capture the past from every angle.

✨ Discover how tech is reshaping archaeology at the Las Vegas #CuriosityLab: The Possible Unknown Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.

🎟 bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown

#VirtualOutdoorExperiences