At the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, you’ll deepen your understanding of the living world and your place within it.
The work that happens here is rooted in our land- and sea-grant mission, and connected to the needs of the local, regional, and global communities. Our faculty researchers work collaboratively across disciplines, drawing from a broad, inclusive field of human knowledge to make critical discoveries within their fields. URI’s core research facilities and specialized labs offer the latest technologies that will enable you to gather field data, synthesize vast amounts of information, and develop solutions to real world challenges. Whether you are interested in urban food systems; protecting marine wildlife; understanding what makes an organism adapt and an ecosystem thrive; or assisting policy makers in the shift towards renewable energy and sustainable natural resource management, you’ll find your place here.
URI Cooperative Extension
Education and engagement with Rhode Island communities is at the core of what we do. As a land-grant and sea-grant university, our mission is to ensure URI provides education and applied research that helps communities and improves the lives of Rhode Islanders.
learn moreNews and Stories
Climate Change is Threatening Prudence Island’s Drinking Water May 2, 2025 - More extreme weather patterns and aging infrastructure could hamper the Prudence Island Water District’s ability to provide its customers with fresh drinking water. Hydrologist and URI Geosciences Professor Soni Pradhanang weighs in.
Eleni Mouyos named 2025 Hollings Scholar May 2, 2025 - Eleni Mouyos, a sophomore double majoring in marine biology and ocean engineering, has been awarded a 2025 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the most prestigious scholarship awarded to undergraduates in marine sciences.
Animal Science Major Kylie Mastropolo on Interning with Buttonwood Park Zoo April 30, 2025 - Kylie Mastropolo, an animal science and technology major, pursued an internship at Buttonwood Park Zoo this semester. “One of the most rewarding parts was observing the harbor seals over time and learning to identify their individual personalities and behavioral patterns,” she says.
Senior Spotlight: Lindsey Reimels (Marine Biology) April 30, 2025 - Marine Biology major Lindsey Reimels has been active in a variety of research projects at URI, including microplastic accumulation in Narragansett Bay and the uptake of microplastic ingestion by baleen whales.
