Reno, Nev. -- While most people don't think of trees, plants and landscaping as contributors to smog, they do play a role. And, understanding that role is important to a state growing as fast as Nevada. A study by Desert Research Institute scientists may soon help urban planners and developers make land-cover choices friendlier to air quality.

DRI Graduate Research Assistant Maria Papiez, who is part of the research team, has been awarded the Governor Kenny Guinn Environmental Fellowship, DRI President Dr. Stephen G. Wells announced today. Wells said the DRI Research Foundation underwrites the annual $15,000 fellowship, which was established by DRI in 2001 to acknowledge Governor Guinn's Millennium Scholarship Program.

Papiez is pursuing a Master of Science degree in environmental chemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno, in the Environmental Science and Health Graduate program.

At DRI, she is studying how biological substances affect air quality. These substances include natural components in trees and plants similar to pine oil, menthol and camphor. When these natural organic compounds are mixed with sunlight and human-caused emissions like nitrogen oxide from motor vehicles, the reactions create smog, also known as ground-level ozone air pollution. 

"This research is very important to Nevada, especially in Las Vegas, where rapid commercial and residential development are changing the landscape and having an impact on air quality," Wells said. "Maria's work will help provide solid, science-based information for legislators, city planners and developers as they work toward healthy growth for Nevada's urban areas."

The study cuts across two DRI divisions -- Atmospheric Sciences, and Earth and Ecosystems Sciences.  This type of interdisciplinary research is a DRI hallmark.

A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national and international scale. More than 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians and support staff conduct more than 300 research projects at DRI annually.  DRI generates $45 million in total revenue consisting predominately of competitively won research contracts and grants. The State of Nevada provides critical funding in support of DRI's administration, operations and maintenance, through the University and Community College System of Nevada budget. While DRI's portion of the UCCSN budget is less than 1 percent, the institute leverages these funds to enhance its competitiveness.