Our research is centered on the investigation of growth mechanisms of semiconductor materials during processes such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). To mimic these plasmas under more carefully controlled conditions, we use a hyperthermal beam of the reactive species of interest and single crystal semiconductor wafers.
Sergey Varganov
Our research centers on application and development of electronic structure theory and molecular dynamics. The main areas of interest are catalytic properties of metal nanoclusters, coherent control of chemical reactions and electronic structure methods for strongly correlated electrons.
Laina Geary
developing strategies to synthesize complex organic molecules and biologically relevant structures from the simplest precursors, and understanding the mechanistic details. Essentially, we are interested in developing highly chemoselective reactions to minimize substrate preactivation and waste generation and maximize functional group compatibility.
Students will get training in organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, and asymmetric catalysis within the broad goal of simplicity to complexity via C-C bond formation.
Ashkan Salamat
Winifred Kortemeier
Winifred Kortemeier is a Community College Professor at Western Nevada College.
Gayle Dana
Dr. Dana is the NSF EPSCoR Project Director and the Nevada State EPSCoR Director. Dr. Dana’s expertise is in surface water hydrology and energy balance of desert, seasonally snow-covered, and polar regions. Present research projects include 1) nutrient and sediment source assessment for TMDL development in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River Watersheds; (2) hydrochemical modeling in a Lake Tahoe watershed (3) effects of fire on nutrient dynamics in forested watersheds, (4) evaporation from lakes and reservoirs in support of the Truckee River Operating Agreement, and (5) spatially distributed energy balance modeling for climate change detection in Antarctica. Dr. Dana is the Science Advisor to the Truckee River TMDL and Watershed Council, and is a collaborator with the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research project.
Mary Cablk
Dr. Mary E. Cablk is an Emeritus Faculty at DRI. She is an expert in detection and systems. In her research she draws upon knowledge from multiple fields such as olfaction, analytical chemistry, learning, cognitive and industrial/occupational psychology, forensics, spatial analysis, pattern analysis, and image processing. Her interests focus on transforming qualitative observation into quantitative data and combining multiple input data types to solve complex challenges related to detection, in a field setting. Her research and expertise has taken her around the world where she has addressed audiences and worked with colleagues on landmine detection, wildlife detection, recovery of human remains, and search and rescue, among others. She works closely with relevant agencies and organizations on development and implementation of credentialing and standards for canine teams in a variety of disciplines. Dr. Cablk has been instrumental in developing a Ph.D. program in forensic anthropology at the University of Nevada Reno, where she is an adjunct professor and mentors graduate students. She is an auxiliary deputy with several county Sheriff Offices in the State of Nevada and is a resource to the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Expert in remote sensing including olfaction and optical. Uses quantitative methods from multiple input data types to conduct scientific analyses related to detection, including spatial analyses.
Spencer Steinberg
Spencer Steinberg, Ph.D., is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he teaches general, analytical and environmental chemistry courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Steinberg has over thirty years of experience in basic and applied research related to the environmental analytical chemistry of the atmosphere, soil and water. His research focuses on quantifying trace organic and inorganic compounds in complex matrices.
Dr. Steinberg’s recent research projects encompass a range of topics which include method development for determination of trace volatile organic compounds in soil and water, detection of silver nanoparticles in water, photochemical formation of oxidants in heterogeneous systems, characterization of natural organic matter in soil and water and the characterization of municipal solid waste. He has also developed ongoing collaborations with various colleges in material science and biology. His research has been funded by the NASA, the US EPA and The US-DOE.
Dr. Steinberg holds a Ph.D. in Marine Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Vic Etyemezian
Dr. Etyemezian currently holds the position of Research Professor in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences of the Desert Research Institute. He is active in several ongoing research projects including two DoD studies focusing on dust emissions and quantification from military activities, characterization of playa dust emissions from Mojave basins, measurement of emissions of particulate matter from fires in the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts as well as measurement of post-fire aeolian dust emission potential, continued development of a portable wind tunnel-like device for measuring aeolian sediment transport, and identifying controls on wind erosion on Steppe landscapes in Mongolia. Dr. Etyemezian’s research interests and specialties include direct measurement and quantification of atmospheric pollutant emissions, source apportionment, designing research instrumentation, and analysis of spatial data.
Amber Howerton
Dr. Howerton is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Nevada State College. Dr. Howerton is actively involved in undergraduate research both as independent studies during the school year and as a mentor in summer NSF-INBRE. Her research centers around sporulating bacteria (Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium difficile). Her students have studied germination kinetics to identify activation and inhibition compounds, synthesized potential spore germination inhibitors and studied the inflammation response initiated by these bacterial toxins and spore proteins. Also, as a researcher of C. diff, she is interested in the microbiome of the intestine before and after antibiotic use. Her students have studied bile salt hydrolases and their expression before and after rodents are treated with antibiotics. It is possible these enzymes play some role in the observable different susceptibility of rodents to C.diff. She is always up for new adventures if students present me with a workable research proposal!