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Reno, Nev. -- Thanks to a recently awarded Fulbright grant, Dr. Darko Koracin, an internationally renowned researcher in atmospheric sciences at the Desert Research Institute, soon will share his expertise for a third time in six years with graduate students in his homeland of Croatia.

Master's and doctoral degree candidates at the University of Zagreb -- Koracin's alma mater -- will take an intense month-long graduate class in atmospheric, dispersion and air-quality modeling starting at the end of May.

A leading researcher in understanding atmospheric flows over complex terrain and oceans, Koracin has been awarded two other prestigious Fulbright grants to teach at the university.  
   
"Graduate students in Croatia have excellent backgrounds in math and physics, so I am able to lecture on advanced and novel topics such as random particle modeling in addition to model construction and testing," Koracin said.

The year's class will focus on measuring the predictability and uncertainty of weather forecasting as well as its impact on coastal and inland air quality in Croatia and nearby regions.   

Koracin has used previous Fulbright research in Croatia to design his graduate atmospheric sciences classes at University of Nevada, Reno, where he teaches, supervises and advises students in master's and Ph.D. programs.   But according to Koracin, the international cross-pollination of ideas doesn't stop there.
 
"This valuable, ongoing collaboration previously resulted in post-doc visits from colleagues at the University of Zagreb in the areas of air quality and ocean modeling. I also encourage Croatian students to apply for our UNR graduate program, and I hope to see results soon," Koracin said.
 
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange. It is made possible through funds appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress and by contributions from partner countries and the private sector.  The program sends 800 scholars and professionals each year to more than 140 countries, where they lecture or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.

About DRI

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.