DRI’s Expertise and Experience in Providing Solutions and Supporting Economic Development
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like1,638 views
The document discusses the work of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) including its mission to conduct research that contributes to Nevada's security and general welfare. It provides examples of pioneering research conducted at DRI, such as in groundwater modeling and weather modification, and current research focus areas including climate change and its impacts. DRI employs around 550 staff across many specialized labs and generates $40 million annually for Nevada's economy through external research funding.
DRI’s Expertise and Experience in Providing Solutions and Supporting Economic Development
- 1. Dr. Jim Thomas, Interim Executive Director, DHS DRI And Dr. Steve Wells, President, DRI Desert Research Institute
- 2. To contribute more effectively to the security of the nation and to promote the general welfare of the State of Nevada and its citizens through research. Foster and conduct fundamental scientific and applied research for industry, governmental or private agencies, and individuals. Encourage and foster a desire in students and faculty to conduct research. Discover and develop talent for conducting research. Desert Research Institute
- 3. In1960’s Dr. George B. Maxey pioneered 1st scientific approaches to estimating recharge to & regional flow of groundwater in arid regions. Dr. Patrick Squires vision led to DRI’s scientific reputation in weather modification & cloud seeding in arid regions of Nevada and western US, enhancing our available water resources. Serving nearly 45 years as an atmospheric physicist, Dr. John Hallet, created research instruments, such as the trademarked and marketed HotPlate Total Precipitation Sensor. Desert Research Institute
- 4. ~550 employees with ~140 research faculty Non-tenure / soft-money structure: Faculty are not tenured and generate own salaries (no state-funded positions) Faculty bring ~$40M into Nevada’s economy! Direct return on state-funded investment is $5-to-$1 DRI’s state funding is used to help offset research support & other operating expenses so overhead can be used to hire new faculty & invest in innovation At any given time, DRI conducts about 300 research projects worldwide Over 60 specialized labs & research facilities DRI invests ~ $1.4M annually in non-state dollars for support of graduate students are UNR and UNLV Research to improve people’s lives: Nevada & world Desert Research Institute
- 5. DRI Vision to be the world's scientific leader investigating the effects of natural and human-induced environmental change and advancing environmental technologies aimed at assessing a changing planet. Desert Research Institute
- 6. Definition of Earth Services Systems (ESS) “Array of benefits for humankind derived from the biological, geochemical, hydrological, and geological states & flows – sustains the biosphere for existence of life”* *Board of Earth Sciences & Resources, NRC/Nat. Academy of Sciences Desert Research Institute
- 7. Dust Bowl, USA: National Archives: 114 SC 5089 1977 Drought & 24-hour event resulting in desertification near Bakersfield, California, USA Desert Research Institute
- 8. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 9. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 10. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 11. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 12. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 13. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 14. Maps are from an article by John H. Tanton, "End of the Migration Epoch," reprinted by The Social Contract, Vol IV, No 3 and Vol. V, No. 1, 1995. each dot represents 1 million people Desert Research Institute
- 17. WAIS Divide IAAce Core Tier 1 Examples: Project—3 km ice core in Addressing environmental & Antarctica societal impacts of climate change and related security implications Managing scarce water resources under conditions of changing climate Energy-water nexus West Africa Water Initiative provides Monitoring ecological, clean water to hydrological, and atmospheric thousands of rural responses to climate change people Research on techniques & proxies for assessing global climate trends Impact of Climate Adaptation strategies related to Uncertainties on steam natural systems, societies, and flows, groundwater infrastructure are impacted by recharge, and in-stream climate change and riparian vegetation Desert Research Institute
- 18. • Aquatic Biology/Chemistry • Climate Change • Ecological Engineering • Environmental Processes within Snow and Ice • Paleo-environments • Regional Groundwater Hydrology and Hydraulics • Soil Zone Hydrology • Surface and Subsurface Flow and Contaminant Transport • Watershed Hydrology Desert Research Institute
- 20. Apply new method for continuous, high-resolution ice-core analyses called Continuous Flow Analysis with Trace Elements (CFA- TE) Develop multi-century glaciochemical records of trace elements and isotopes with unprecedented temporal resolution Work has recently expanded to include analysis of black carbon Desert Research Institute
- 21. Industrial Lead Pollution in the Arctic Great Depression Civil War Year McConnell, 2006 Clean Air Act Desert Research Institute
- 22. Climate Change • Colorado River flows in the future • Eastern and western Nevada water resource changes • More extreme droughts and floods • Earlier snow melt runoff • Less stream flow and groundwater recharge • Economic Impact of changing water resources can be huge—Las Vegas growth needs a reliable water supply Desert Research Institute 22
- 23. Colorado River System • Climate models predict precipitation may increase or decrease in future 50/50 BUT • Warmer temperatures will result in: • Less snowpack • Less runoff • Less groundwater recharge Desert Research Institute 23
- 24. Upper Colorado River Basin Oct-Sep Water Year Temperature 1895-96 / 2010-11 Westmap UA/WRCC/OSU Desert Research Institute
- 25. East Central Annual Nevada Winter Spring Summer Projected Autumn Temperature Changes ( C ) 15 IPCC Models Early 21st 2011-2040 Middle 21st 2041-2070 Late 21st 2071-2100 Desert Research Institute
- 26. Courtesy Brad Udall, CRC-NV, April 2010 Desert Research Institute
- 28. Quagga mussels at Lake Mead clog water intakes affect lake ecosystem Desert Research Institute
- 29. Determine rates of contaminant release Assess migration characteristics Quantify groundwater flow paths Predict groundwater and contaminant velocities Design optimal monitoring networks Develop quantitative decision-support tools Desert Research Institute
- 30. 2-D Slice of Climax Granite Stock model used to simulate radionuclide fluxes from three sub- surface tests through a fractured granite rock mass. Conceptual model uncertainty in recharge and geologic framework incorporated in model simulations for full investigation of uncertainty. Parametric uncertainty included in fracture networks and transport parameters. Fracking will have extremely important environmental issues to address to continue economic success of oil and gas development Desert Research Institute
- 31. METRIC program developed by DRI scientists will be used in State of Nevada Water Rights hearings METRIC will provide basin water budget estimates for all basins in Nevada Knowing available water resources is critical for economic development and ecosystem sustainability Desert Research Institute
- 32. Collaborative DRI-UNR program Determine amount of Walker River water needed to maintain Walker Lake ecosystem WHILE maintaining agricultural economy in the basin Alternative lower water use crops part of research program Desert Research Institute
- 33. DRI, with support from the Conrad Hilton Foundation and World Vision, is developing new methods to locate safe water supplies in Africa Desert Research Institute
- 34. Lake Amatitlan, Guatamala Lake Taihu, China contamination Provide limnological training and support services for agency staff and Taking a Secchi disk reading. The water university researchers in Central and is green due to abundance of South America. Microcystis aeruginosa, often associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs). Desert Research Institute
- 36. Development and implementation of an integrated water quality monitoring program for Preserving Lake Tahoe the Truckee River clarity via science-based resource management Impact of climate Ecology and biology of Quagga uncertainties on steam mussels and their impact on flows, groundwater aquatic biodiversity and water recharge, and in- quality in Lake Mead stream and riparian vegetation Desert Research Institute
- 37. Leveraging DRI’s NSF rankings; Research Competitiveness as measured by Academic Institutional Rankings by Leveraging DRI’s unique business National Science Foundation in R&D model to explore new & unique Expenditures in Environmental Sciences research opportunities; Expansion of DRI’s role in Nevada’s 1 University California-SD (also Scripps) economic development & addressing 2 Texas A&M University state priorities such as renewable 3 Colorado State University energy & water technologies; 4 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Expansion of research park to incubate 13 Johns Hopkins University & attract businesses; and 18 U. of Maryland Ctr. for Environ. Sci. 23 DRI Expand partnerships with local, 28 U. California-Davis national, and international businesses 36 Stanford University as well as institutions of higher 37 Harvard University education beyond our state (public, 40 UNR private and international). 45 University of Southern California Integrating engineering with DRI 48 UNLV traditional sciences Desert Research Institute
- 38. 10% decline in published “90% of world’s scientists & papers by US scientists since 1992 engineers will live in Asia by 2010” 20% decrease – overall engineering degrees awarded in US since ’85 50% of all engineering degrees awarded by U.S. Engineering Colleges to foreign nationals 50% decline in funding for basic research since 1970 Sources: AAAS and National Science Board reports 50% of current science & eng. workforce approaching retirement Desert Research Institute
- 39. Objectives Establish a cohesive economic development operating system Advance targeted sectors and opportunities in the regions Expand global engagement Catalyze innovation in core and emerging industries Increase opportunity through education and workforce Brian Sandoval development Governor of the State of Nevada Desert Research Institute
- 40. Advance knowledge- based industries through partnerships with higher education Water in arid climates in partnership with DRI, UNLV, So. Nevada Water Authority Additional Promising Possibilities Agriculture Water technology Desert Research Institute
- 41. • Provides innovative research, improving peoples’ lives in Nevada & world wide •Top 25 ranking by NSF among all U.S. universities for R&D expenditures in environmental sciences •Brings national and global recognition to Nevada beyond gaming & tourism •Largest and most diverse number of hydrologists and hydrologeologists in national outside federal government (U.S. Geological Survey) •Entrepreneurial innovation center for “true technology-based economic development“ (Brookings & SRI, 2011): Provides profound economic impact to Nevada, by leveraging ~ $5 for every state dollar invested! Desert Research Institute