David Bidwell, professor of marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island, will share research results on offshore wind community discussions at a free public presentation on Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m., at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford.

Plant Sciences’ Camilo Villouta’s lab has been awarded a $296,000 USDA grant to study hydroponic spinach cultivation in controlled-environment agriculture. This is Villouta’s first time receiving an award from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and his first award of this size.

With a new exhibit on insects opening at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Steve Alm and Casey Johnson in URI’s Bee Lab answer questions on the local bee population.

From biological control of invasive pests to pollinator–plant interactions, URI students showcased hands-on research from multiple labs at a regional meeting of the Entomological Society of America.

Madison Geraci, a Ph.D. student in evolution and marine biology, received a Nature Conservancy award to study microscopic organisms that reveal how local salt marshes respond to restoration and change.

An international workshop led by URI Professor Laura Meyerson highlighted the urgent need for national coordination, monitoring, and public engagement to protect Iceland’s ecosystems, economy, and communities.

URI researchers are using a two-pronged approach to improve the New England cottontail’s prospects, combining genetic and behavioral approaches at two very different sites: busy Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence and the aptly named Patience Island, off of Warwick.

A team of faculty and staff is looking forward to growing its tree research capacity, while nourishing the animals who live on campus, with a recent donation from the Indiana company Tree Pro of 1,500 tree protectors and the same number of wooden stakes.

URI junior Ava Russell, a double major in biology and plant science, was selected for the competitive DaRin Butz Internship. She will spend 10 weeks at Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum studying plant development and evolution.