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DRI Research Highlights: 2024, Volume 1
Impactful Science, Inspiring Solutions.
Letter From the President
DRI President Kumud Acharya, Ph.D.
Dear Friend of DRI,
Many exciting things are happening at DRI! I’m pleased to share our semi-annual report highlighting some of our recent research and community outreach and celebrating 25 years of the Wagner Award.
The projects featured are a sample of the research conducted to better understand and address pressing environmental challenges. The cover story spotlights DRI’s Luminescence Research Laboratory—the largest luminescence dating lab in North America! We also highlight research on how climate change may impact the Lake Tahoe Basin, management of Nevada’s wetlands, water scarcity in the West, and desert forests. In addition, we feature briefs on how our scientists are using their expertise to improve flood control on Mount Charleston, protect a historical cemetery, and partner with students on climate research.
I hope you enjoy the stories about the impactful science and the inspiring solutions we have highlighted.
Kumud Acharya, Ph.D., President
FEATURED PROJECT
State-of-the-Art Facilities to Advance Scientific Discovery
DRI's Reno campus is home to the largest luminescence dating lab in North America: the DRI Luminescence Research Laboratory (DRILL). Luminescence dating techniques allow researchers to determine the depositional age of minerals in soil and the firing age of archaeological artifacts, offering direct ages for objects that can't be identified using radiocarbon dating. These methods rely on the accumulated radiation dose stored in materials to determine their age. A rapidly developing tool, luminescence dating is applicable to a wide range of scientific disciplines including geomorphology, archaeology, volcanology, tectonics, and paleoclimate.
DRILL provides our researchers and collaborators with state-of-the-art facilities for studying luminescence phenomena, including optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) signals. A recent award from the National Science Foundation will expand these capabilities to include Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating through the acquisition of an electron spin resonance spectrometer and X-ray irradiator. The expansion of DRILL will enable DRI faculty to expand into new areas of earth surface and climate research, as well as create new opportunities for collaboration with scientists outside of DRI.
Some of the current projects DRILL is enabling our scientists to explore include: 1) reconstructing soil temperature during wildfires, a critical factor in determining mudslide risk and ecological recovery; 2) informing the preservation of historic adobe buildings; and 3) answering questions about continental tectonics on the Tibetan Plateau. Our scientists are even developing new methods in luminescence dating for rock surfaces that apply to archaeological research across southern Nevada.
For more information on DRILL:
And click here for information about DRILL's New World Luminescence Dating Workshop to be held June 11-14 at DRI's Reno campus.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Using Science to Protect Historical Resting Grounds in Rural Nevada
In rural Midas, Nevada – a town named and formed at the turn of the century with the discovery of nearby gold–residents haven’t been able to use the cemetery since 1932. A series of fires destroyed the wooden headstones and fencing, and the graves were lost to history, hidden beneath the sagebrush that reclaimed the land. To preserve the memory of those buried and help the town revive their local resting ground, DRI scientists were called in to help. They used their skills with ground-penetrating radar obtained while conducting geoarchaeological research and studying ice cores in Greenland to sweep the area believed to hold the interred. Combining this data with aerial drone photos allowed them to create a 3D model of the subsurface and pinpoint the precise locations of the historic graves. The town will use DRI’s findings to place new grave markers, ensuring that those laid to rest in the cemetery are not disturbed, and to determine where in the cemetery to focus new burials. This research was featured in the Nevada Independent .
“The Midas project shows how knowledge and skills that we develop as scientists can help our local communities,” says Teresa Wriston , Ph.D., assistant research professor of anthropology.
The rebuilt entrance to the Midas Cemetery.
Examining the Lake Tahoe Basin’s Future on a Warming Planet
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. In an effort to understand these future challenges, the California Tahoe Conservancy requested help from DRI scientists. For over a decade, DRI has been partnering with the USGS to develop a deep understanding of the hydrology of the Lake Tahoe Basin and produce a computer model that can examine ecosystem changes at a much higher resolution than previously possible. Combined with climate-change projections from eight different global climate models, the report examines two different futures: one where humanity reins in the use of greenhouse gases, and one where their use continues unabated. The result is a detailed report that provides the most detailed projections yet for how the region’s landscape will be impacted by climate change. Local stakeholder groups were consulted throughout the process to ensure that the report produced the most useful information possible, and the full report and data are available online for anyone to download and use for climate-change science and planning activities. This report was covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and ABC San Francisco.
“We don’t have a crystal ball,” says hydrologist Mike Dettinger , Ph.D., who led the study. “But we can help communities determine whether they’re looking at stronger or weaker impacts, so that they can make decisions about where to focus their resources.”
Figure 7.1 from the report showing the highest overall impacts in red and orange around the north and eastern sides of the Basin.
Using Scientific Expertise to Improve Flood Response
Powerful winds and intense rain brought widespread damage to communities and infrastructure when the remnants of Hurricane Hilary hit the Las Vegas region in August of 2023. Communities on Mount Charleston were hit particularly hard, where flooding washed out roads and carved deep trenches. Downed trees tore through power lines, and damaged water supply infrastructure required many people to boil their drinking water for weeks. DRI scientists are partnering with the Clark County Regional Recovery Organization to determine why some areas, like Kyle Canyon, experienced more severe impacts than others nearby. With extensive expertise in hydrology, the DRI team is comparing the natural conditions of Kyle Canyon to the nearby U.S. Army Corps Diversion Channel, which experienced few impacts. After examining the canyons to collect information about the causes of debris flows and erosion, the team is working with engineers from Clark County Flood Control, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Forest Service to discuss their observations. This information will be used to help improve flood control on Mount Charleston.
“Extreme flooding and debris flow have severely disrupted the Mt. Charleston community, and we are working to understand the severity of damage, address possible restoration solutions, and determine the likelihood of a similar event in the future," says Kevin Heintz , Ph.D., assistant research scientist of hydrogeology.
DRI's Guo Yu , Ph.D., measures a trench created by the flooding in Kyle Canyon.
Supporting Management of Nevada’s Wetlands
Oasis Valley lies just across the state border from Death Valley National Park, where the parched desert is treated to seeps and springs that form the headwaters of the Amargosa River. Wetlands and riparian corridors create habitat for wildlife to thrive, including the Amargosa toad and Oasis Valley speckled dace – species found nowhere else. Known as groundwater-dependent ecosystems, desert oases like this are under threat from climate change and the over-extraction of groundwater related to mining, renewable energy, and human population growth. The Bureau of Land Management and the Nature Conservancy enlisted DRI scientists to produce a thorough analysis of water resources and vegetation of the valley, which will be used to better understand future impacts and improve restoration and management of this fragile ecosystem. The report found that the Amargosa region’s water is already over-committed, with water-use permits totaling more than the system can produce in a year.
“Our goal in this work was to use publicly available data to document how these ecosystems have responded to climate and groundwater availability over the past 30 years," says Christine Albano , Ph.D., assistant research professor of ecohydrology. "That way managers can identify what additional information is still needed to understand impacts of past or future water withdrawals and make informed decisions related to conserving them.”
Linking Climate Extremes to Western Water Scarcity
Snow-capped mountains aren’t just scenic – they also provide natural water storage by creating reservoirs of frozen water that slowly melt into watersheds throughout the spring and summer months. Much of the Western U.S. relies on this process to renew and sustain freshwater supplies, and a 2023 study by DRI scientists underscores the impacts of extreme weather conditions on this annual cycle. Published in Environmental Research Letters, the study examined the role of spring heatwaves on the melting rates of mountain snowpacks across the West in 2021. The research found that in April 2021, record-breaking snowmelt rates occurred at 24% of all mountain snowpack monitoring sites in the region, further compounding the impacts of extended drought conditions on water availability and hydropower production. The scientists found that these spring heatwaves are consistent with the long-term trend of spring warming across the West, and that because of this, April 1 may no longer be a reliable benchmark for evaluating snowpack levels and their seasonal contributions to western water supplies. This study was featured in NPR , the Daily Sentinel , and other media outlets.
“Summer heat waves are studied extensively, but people don't often care as much about a spring heatwave because the actual air temperatures don't usually lead to human health impacts,” says Dan McEvoy , Ph.D., assistant research professor of climatology. “But at the same time, they are creating these hydrological and climatological extreme impacts.”
Partnering Scientists with Students to Advance Climate Research
With funding support from NASA, DRI scientists are teaming up with DRI’s Nevada Robotics coordinators to create opportunities for STEM education while advancing research goals. Throughout the fall and winter of 2023 and into 2024, college and high school students will help design, build, and deploy drone sampling prototypes for collecting snow samples in difficult terrain. Students will develop the skills needed to prepare them to join NASA’s future workforce through using software for technical design, machinery for fabrication, and lab analysis techniques. Their prototypes will be used for a range of research on cloud-seeding validation efforts, cloud physics modeling applications, microplastic pollution, and microorganisms that grow on snow. They will also aid research that seeks to identify the snowmelt-exacerbating impacts of dust on snow by collecting solar albedo measurements and dusty snow samples to identify and characterize the dust source. The project aims to fulfill NASA Space Grant’s mission by developing the skills needed to create innovative technologies required for human-space exploration while emphasizing collaboration among diverse groups.
"Nevada Robotics works to prepare young people for the future by giving them opportunities to develop their computational thinking, communication, and engineering skills. This project is a perfect way for them to experience real-world application of those skills to advance science," says Claire Parker , Nevada Robotics Engineering Education Coordinator.
Nevada students learning to program a simple robot.
Help Bring Robotics Into Nevada’s Schools
Cracking the Mysterious Case of Dying Desert Forests
From above, the Southwestern U.S. is a sea of caramel and brown desert. Yet, a closer look uncovers small ribbons of green – desert forests that flourish along valuable springs and rivers. Wildlife thrives at these oases, drawn to the shade of trees that offer some respite from extreme temperatures. But in recent years, the screwbean mesquite trees that form these forests have died in high numbers, and scientists are puzzled by the die-offs.
DRI scientists are partnering with the Nature Conservancy to investigate the cause of the decline. Using satellite imagery to pinpoint the timing of die-offs, they found that climate whiplash is the likely culprit, with the tree’s roots adapting to drought conditions only to drown when rains finally came. This ongoing research seeks to help restore these critical desert forests.
“We are racing against the clock of climate change," says Henry Sun , Ph.D., associate research professor of microbiology. "The Nature Conservancy and federal land managers are waiting to begin work to restore these desert ecosystems.”
The mature seeds of a screwbean mesquite tree.
Sharing Science That Matters
DRI brings together the local community, our own scientists, and experts from partner institutions for two public seminar series located in Reno and Las Vegas. The 2023 season included discussions focused on fantastical animals, the science of increasing precipitation using cloud-seeding, and how species adapted to extreme conditions right here on Earth can teach us about the search for life on other planets. The 2024 season promises to bring people together to discuss some of the nation’s most pressing issues, including how communities can increase their resilience to extreme heat, the impacts of atmospheric rivers on flooding and water availability, the connection between childhood traumas and the development of obesity, and how scientists are trying to crack the intractable problem of global climate change. For more information and to sign up to receive updates, visit: https://www.dri.edu/special-events/ .
The 2024 season calendar for DRI Science at the Springs in Las Vegas.
DRI FOUNDATION: Remembering Peter Wagner—Wagner Award Celebrates 25th Year
Sue Wagner with Vera Samburova, Ph.D., chair of the Wagner Selection Committee.
The Peter Wagner Memorial Endowment was established in 1981 by Sue Wagner, his wife and former longtime Nevada legislator and Lieutenant Governor, along with his family and friends. Peter Wagner was an atmospheric physicist at DRI who was killed, along with three of his DRI colleagues, on March 3, 1980, when a research plane crashed over the Sierra. A memorial plaque is on display in the courtyard of DRI's Northern Nevada Science Center. The Wagner Endowment provides annual support for the Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences and the Peter B. Wagner Medal of Excellence for DRI Scholars in the Early Stages of Career Development. This year, the 25th Wagner Award was presented to Andrea Gordon from the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. We thank Sue Wagner, her family, and friends, for establishing this endowment in Peter's memory and their continued support. For more information on how you can support impactful science that inspires solutions, please contact the DRI Office of Advancement at (775) 673-7300 or foundationinfo@dri.edu.
Leadership
About DRI
We are Nevada’s non-profit research institute, founded in 1959 to empower experts to focus on science that matters. We work with communities across the state–and the world– to address their most pressing scientific questions, while building bridges between scientists and policymakers to enact positive change.
We’re proud that our scientists continuously produce solutions that better human and environmental health. We pioneered the use of chemical fingerprinting to identify sources of air pollution in Nevada’s cities and reduce haze in National Parks across the country. We work with communities downwind of historic atomic testing at the Nevada National Security Site to monitor radiation exposure. We used ice trapped below the surface of Greenland to connect historic levels of lead pollution with the rise and fall of ancient economies like the Roman Empire. For decades, we have been using satellite technology to locate, and build, drinking water wells for communities in Ghana and we have enhanced precipitation throughout Nevada, the driest state in the nation, using decades of research on cloud seeding.
Scientists at DRI are involved with students at other Nevada System of Higher Education institutions, offering research positions and teaching support, but are not expected to take on the heavy teaching loads of university professors. Instead, they are encouraged to follow their research interests across the traditional boundaries of scientific fields, collaborating across DRI and with scientists worldwide. We reach thousands of young Nevada students annually with specialized science and robotics lessons and free continuing education for teachers. All faculty support their own research through grants, bringing in nearly $5 to the Nevada economy for every $1 of state funds received. With more than 600 scientists, engineers, students, and staff across our Reno and Las Vegas campuses, we have conducted more than $47 million in sponsored research focused on improving peoples’ lives.
At DRI, science isn’t merely academic – it’s the key to future-proofing our communities and building a better world.