Professional Summary
Currently, Dr. Wells is President
of the Desert Research Institute (DRI), an autonomous nonprofit division
of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), reporting to the
NSHE Chancellor and ultimately to the Board of Regents. The President
is the chief executive officer of an approximately $31 million per
year not-for-profit organization that conducts unique and highly
specialized scientific research in the State of Nevada and throughout
the world. DRI is one of the world's largest multidisciplinary environmental
research organizations with approximately 400 scientists, technologists,
and other support staff. The President oversees two state-of-the-art
facilities in both Las Vegas and Reno where activities are directed
from three core research divisions (Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and
Ecosystem Sciences, and Hydrologic Sciences) and three interdisciplinary
centers (Arid Lands Environmental Management, Frank H. Rogers Center
for Environmental Remediation and Monitoring, and Watersheds and
Environmental Sustainability). One of DRI's principal missions is
the effective utilization of research to support economic and technological
development in Nevada. As part of this mission, Dr. Wells is responsible
for development of the Dandini Research Park. In addition, Dr. Wells
works with the Board of Trustees of the DRI Research Foundation to
promote the mission and vision of DRI.
Primary Research Interests
Geomorphology and Quaternary geology of arid and semiarid regions
in the southwestern United States; geomorphic and hydrologic responses
to Quaternary climate change; landscape evolution in tectonically
active areas and volcanic regions; application of geomorphology to
land management, hazardous waste disposal, and natural hazards. Dr.
Wells has authored and coauthored approximately 60 peer-reviewed
journal articles and edited six volumes in these scientific areas.
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