Dear Friends,
A
STEPHEN G. WELLS, PH.D.
DRI President
“The opportunity to work
at a world-renowned institute
with some of the brightest
minds in their fields. I knew
I wanted to work with Dr.
Christian Fritsen when I heard
about the exciting work that
he was conducting and his
strong affiliation with the
space community.”
—KATHRYN BYWATERS, PH.D.
SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
“DRI’s collaboration with
the University of Nevada
made the program very
attractive. DRI gave me
the chance to work for
amazing researchers at an
actual research institute
while pursuing an advanced
degree; that is a great
opportunity that many
graduate students don’t get.”
s President of DRI, it is my pleasure to highlight to our partners, sponsors, donors, and
friends the state-wide, national and international research activities of the Institute.
This annual report affords us a chance to feature the scientific, technical and
educational accomplishments of the past year and thank DRI’s exceptional faculty, students and
staff. Collectively they form the core engine of DRI, making the Institute both successful and an
inspiring place to innovate, study and work.
Throughout these pages you will read about DRI scientists, engineers, students and staff
from all walks of life making profound impacts through their scholarly endeavors and persistent
dedication to our communities here in Nevada, throughout the nation and around the globe.
For more than five years, DRI has worked closely with the Nevada Governor’s Office of
Economic Development (GOED) to provide scientific and technical support, build innovative
applied research programs, and create an advanced STEM workforce within higher-education as
part of Governor Brian Sandoval’s vision for a New Nevada. Thus, we have included summaries
of four significant projects underway at DRI with support derived from GOED’s Knowledge Fund.
These projects will have lasting impacts on Nevada’s economy, as well as people’s lives.
In addition to the outstanding research and collaborations highlighted in this report,
DRI’s researchers also play a vital role in supporting and providing added value to the basic
educational mission of the Nevada System of Higher Education. DRI provides non-state funding
to support graduate and undergraduate students from both UNR and UNLV; as well as expose
them to cutting-edge research techniques; as well as real world experiences and problem solving
in science and engineering. The attraction of students to DRI and thus the value added to higher
education can be easily summarized by the quotes on the left from former and current graduate
students.
DRI is a unique institution within the higher education system of Nevada, and as such
it has built its reputation on being able to respond quickly, decisively, and without bias to
opportunities and needs as they arise. DRI continues to serve as a model for demonstrating how
entrepreneurialism in scientific research strengthens a university system, a state’s economic
portfolio, a nation’s security and society overall.
DRI is Nevada’s research institution that is recognized nationally and internationally for the
quality of its scientific and engineering accomplishments. Since 2005, DRI has ranked nationally
in the top 4–6 percent out of 400 plus institutions of higher education ranked by the National
Science Foundation in total research and development (R&D) expenditures in the environmental
sciences.
It has been a privilege and honor to have served as DRI’s President for over 16 years, and
it has been with great pride that I have lived in and participated in supporting the communities
of Las Vegas and Reno. DRI’s best days are ahead. The number of research proposals as
well as awards to date are up significantly when compared to last fiscal year. We are growing
our engagement with private industry and well as undertaking new marketing approaches to
public-private partnerships. The trend is changing positively on the federal R&D front with new
opportunities and support from agencies such as the Department of Defense. In addition, DRI is
taking significant steps to leverage our 56 years of science management experience for bold new
opportunities.
In conclusion, please know that I have thoroughly appreciated and valued the opportunity to
serve as an institutional leader in Nevada’s System of Higher Education.
—SAMANTHA TABOR, MASTER’S IN
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
STEPHEN G. WELLS
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