The Desert Research Institute (DRI) recently held its annual awards and recognition ceremonies at the Reno and Las Vegas campuses to honor faculty and staff for their achievements. The event celebrated individuals for their contributions to science, service, and public engagement.
Yeongkwon Son received the Peter B. Wagner Medal of Excellence. Dr. Son is an Associate Research Professor of Environmental Health in the Division of Atmospheric Science, focusing on environmental pollutants and their health impacts. “I really appreciate receiving this award,” Son said. “It means a lot to me, especially as it confirms that I have been doing the right job over these past five years.”
The DRI Science Medal was awarded to Rosemary Carroll and Dave Rhode. Dr. Carroll is recognized for her work in hydrologic sciences, particularly in groundwater modeling, while Dr. Rhode is noted for his contributions to archaeology and paleoecology over 35 years at DRI.
Steven Kohl was honored with the DRI Service Medal for his long-term impact as Laboratory Manager at DRI’s Environmental Analysis Facility since 1993.
Patrick Sawyer received the DRI Outstanding Contributions Medal for leading a significant research program with the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Nevada Field Office.
Dan McEvoy was awarded the DRI Foundation Faculty Award for Outstanding Public Engagement in Science due to his efforts in making climate information accessible to the public through various media outlets.
Gabrielle Boisramé earned The Board of Regents Rising Researcher Award for her early-career accomplishments in environmental engineering related to wildfire management.
Xiaoliang Wang received The Board of Regents Mid-Career Researcher Award for his work on air pollutant emissions.
Nathan Chellman was named Graduate Advisor of the Year by graduate students who praised his mentorship qualities.
These awards reflect DRI’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence and community within its institution while contributing significantly to environmental research and public understanding.
