Johanna Harvey, a noted wildlife disease ecologist and assistant professor in the the Department of Natural Resources Science, offers expert perspective on the advent of cases of avian flu in southern New England.

Naomy Robalo Moreno double majors in Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Marine Biology. Originally from Cape Verde, she is the first in her family to study ocean and conservation science. She came to URI uncertain about what she wanted to study and, through the encouragement of her mentors and advisors as well as coursework and fellowship experience, developed her identity as a student scientist.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to connect with the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension to learn about ways to support the Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program as a mentor, educational partner, program sponsor, or summer industry training host.

URI programs looking at wildfire management and impact, from ground level up.

Dr. Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Webb, professor emerita of biological sciences, recently received the 2024 Robert K. Johnson Award for Excellence in Service by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.

Photo by Marian Goldsmith, Professor Emerita, URI.

Research by Professor of Biological Sciences Alison Roberts and colleagues has revealed that plants also make cellulose microfibrils using a different class of enzymes called CSLD–an important discovery with potential implications for everything from textiles to renewable energy.

Master Gardeners from URI Cooperative Extension are growing connections with Rhode Island’s Indigenous community at the Pettaquamscutt Community Gardens, two miles from campus. An Indigenous-led, multigenerational non-profit garden, it uses traditional ancestral practices and heirloom seeds. The project is led by Indigenous community members, including Shirley Brown, URI Master Gardener, Class of 2022, and a Narragansett Tribal elder.

Melva Treviño Peña, assistant professor of Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences, is bringing an important social science perspective to the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council. She will serve a four year term as the Fisheries Conservation and Management Representative, replacing Professor Michael A. Rice, Professor of FAVS, who had previously served for eight years.