Reno residents will soon have a front‑row seat to the cutting‑edge science happening in their own backyard. PBS Reno, in partnership with the Desert Research Institute (DRI), is premiering Beyond the Lab, a locally produced television series that puts DRI researchers and their discoveries on the air.
Series debut and broadcast details
The first episode airs Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. on PBS Reno’s channel 5.1 and on Spectrum channel 785. A repeat will follow on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m., and again on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Viewers can also stream the episode at pbsreno.org/beyondthelab.
What the show will cover
Each half‑hour episode shines a spotlight on a different research area tied to Reno. The series opens with “Beyond the Lab: Ice Core Research,” which follows DRI scientists as they extract and analyze ancient ice cores to reconstruct Earth’s environmental history. Those frozen samples preserve microscopic evidence of volcanic eruptions, wildfires, industrial pollution and shifts in plant life, giving researchers a timeline that stretches back thousands of years.
Future episodes will explore topics such as cloud‑seeding experiments designed to enhance precipitation, and archaeological investigations that uncover the region’s early inhabitants. By translating complex data into accessible stories, the series aims to show how local research contributes to global understanding.
Key participants
The inaugural episode features DRI researchers Dr. Joe McConnell, Dr. Sophie Wensman and Dr. Nathan Chellman, whose work on ice‑core analysis has informed climate models worldwide. Hosting duties are handled by veteran broadcaster Sherry Swensk, who spent more than three decades at KLAS 8 News NOW in Las Vegas before retiring and moving into television production in the Bay Area.
“Meeting these brilliant scientists and learning about their incredible research and adventures is a new journey for my media career,” Swensk said. “I’m proud that viewers have the opportunity to discover how this incredible science from our beautiful state of Nevada is helping the world.”
Leadership perspective
PBS Reno President and CEO Kurt Mische noted that the series will introduce audiences to the breadth of research conducted at DRI, reinforcing Reno’s reputation as a hub for scientific innovation. DRI President Kumud Acharya added that the partnership grew from an idea by Michael Dermody to bring the institute’s work to a wider audience, emphasizing the value of community engagement.
Why this matters to Reno
Beyond entertaining viewers, the series underscores the practical benefits of local science. Insights from ice‑core studies inform water‑resource planning, while cloud‑seeding research can improve drought mitigation strategies—issues that directly affect Nevada’s residents, farmers and businesses.
By broadcasting these stories on a free, over‑the‑air channel and offering online streaming, PBS Reno ensures that anyone with a television or internet connection can access the content, reinforcing the public‑service mission of both organizations.
How to watch
Mark your calendars for the Nov. 4 premiere on channel 5.1 or Spectrum 785, and revisit the episode on the subsequent airings or via the online stream. The series will continue with new topics each week, providing an ongoing window into the scientific endeavors that shape our region and the planet.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
