Desert Research Institute

 DRI became an autonomous division of the University of Nevada System (now called the Nevada System of Higher Education), on equal footing with its two educational campuses, in 1969. Before that, it functioned as a research division of what is now the system's northern university campus.

For higher education students, DRI provides a learning environment strongly focused on collaborative, interdisciplinary research. DRI faculty members participate in Atmospheric and Hydrologic Science academic programs with the University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Nevada State College. Students conduct their research at DRI while earning their degrees through the universities.

DRI's research calls on the expertise and methods of scientists from multiple scientific disciplines. More than 500 highly-skilled scientists, engineers, technicians and students are collaboratively focused on understanding and answering critical environmental science questions about global climate change, water quality and availability, air quality, sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, and more. Click the links below to explore DRI's research capabilities.