From ancient ice holding clues to Earth's past to research happening in some of the planet's most remote places, a new television series from PBS Reno and the Desert Research Institute will give viewers a closer look at the science happening in Reno.
Beyond the Lab premieres Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. on PBS Reno's channel 5.1 and Spectrum channel 785. Viewers can also watch through the station's livestream.
The locally produced series brings DRI scientists and researchers into the spotlight, exploring topics that include ice core research, cloud seeding, and archaeology. The program aims to show how research connected to Reno can help scientists better understand the world.
The first episode, Beyond the Lab: Ice Core Research, focuses on how scientists study ice to uncover clues about Earth's environmental history dating back thousands of years.
Ice cores preserve microscopic evidence of past events, including volcanic eruptions, wildfires, industrial pollution, and changes in plant life. Researchers can use those records to study how the environment has changed over time.
DRI's Ice Core Lab developed many of the tools scientists use to analyze the samples. Researchers are now working to uncover what the ice holds before it melts away.
The first episode features DRI researchers Dr. Joe McConnell, Dr. Sophie Wensman and Dr. Nathan Chellman.
The series is filmed at PBS Reno and hosted by Sherry Swensk, who spent more than 31 years at KLAS 8 News NOW in Las Vegas before retiring. She also worked in television production in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Swensk said the opportunity to meet researchers and learn about their work brings a new experience to her media career.
“Meeting these brilliant scientists and learning about their incredible research and adventures is a new journey for my media career. I’m proud that viewers have the opportunity to discover how this incredible science from our beautiful state of Nevada is helping the world.”
PBS Reno President and CEO Kurt Mische said the series will introduce viewers to the range of research happening at DRI, which is based in Reno.
DRI President Kumud Acharya said the partnership grew from an idea by Michael Dermody to bring the institute's scientific work to a wider audience.
The first episode will air again Sunday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. It will also be available to stream at pbsreno.org/beyondthelab
