Regents name Dr. Kristen Averyt president of the Desert Research Institute

The Board of Regents today approved the appointment of Dr. Kristen Averyt as the next president of the Desert Research  Institute, effective July 1.

“Dr. Averyt will bring a great depth of scientific, academic, and administrative experience to the Desert Research Institute,” said Rick Trachok, chairman of the Board of Regents. “After conducting a national search, I believe we have found an outstanding leader who will continue to build upon the remarkable success of this institution.”

Averyt was one of two finalists who spent last week on campus participating in interviews and public forums. The DRI President Search Committee, chaired by Regent Jason Geddes, selected Averyt as the sole finalist on January 27.

“It is a genuine honor to have been selected to serve as the next president of DRI,” said Averyt. “I look forward to working with the faculty, students, and staff to enhance DRI’s global reputation for scientific excellence, while fostering new opportu nities and partnerships that will help us better understand our changing environment and the implications for Nevada, the region, and the world.”

Averyt is currently the associate director for science at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder. She previously served the university as director of its NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) Program where she held the position of deputy director (2009-2012) and director (2013-2014) of the Western Water Assessment (WWA).

She earned her doctorate in geological and environmental science from Stanford University and a master’s in chemistry, with distinction, from the University of Otago, New Zealand, where she was a Fulbright fellow.

The committee is chaired by Regent Jason Geddes and includes regents Cedric Crear, Carol Del Carlo, John T. Moran, and Allison Stephens.

Advisory members to the committee include: Dr. Kumud Acharya, Dr. Braimah Apambire, Dr. Jay Arnone III, Michael Benjamin, Mark Bruce, Dr. Mary Cablk, Kelsey Carter (ex-officio), Jenny Chapman, Dawn Coots, Chuck Creigh, John Entsminger, Dr. Jack Gillies, Dr. Joe Grzymski, Steve Hill, Kenneth G. Ladd, Holger Liepmann, Dr. Joe McConnell, Nina Oakley, Brian Speicher, Stephanie Tyler, Dr. Eric Wilcox, and Missy Young.

About the Desert Research Institute

The Desert Research Institute, the nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education, is a world leader in environmental sciences through the application of knowledge and technologies to improve people’s lives throughout Nevada and the world.