Building Ocean Equity at URI: Q&A with Delia Fuller September 10, 2026 - Through the CELS Summer Fellowship Program, Delia Fuller, a senior studying marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island, has been exploring what ocean equity means and how it can be incorporated into the URI community. Under the mentorship of Dr. Yoshitaka Ota, professor of marine affairs, she has been researching ocean equity, reviewing academic literature and documentaries, and laying the groundwork for an Ocean Equity Club at URI. 
URI Students Help Build Statewide Atlas of Tick Species September 8, 2026 - By tracking tick populations across Rhode Island, two URI students are helping researchers map where different species occur and provide the public with information to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease.
Getting To Know Gray Wolves: Q&A With Joshua Carr September 4, 2026 - Marine biology junior Joshua Carr spent his summer investigating a rare behavior in wildlife research: gray wolves hunting and consuming sea otters.
Tracking nutrient pollution: Q&A with Carissa Sherman September 4, 2026 - Carissa Sherman is bringing GIS and environmental data to bear on one of Narragansett Bay's most persistent water-quality challenges.
Exploring How Coral Reef Habitat Loss Affects Fish: Q&A with Sofia Grabiel Butler September 1, 2026 - This summer, marine biology major Sofia Grabiel Butler traveled to Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands to investigate how coral reef habitat loss may be contributing to declines in fish populations.
From Penguins to Rabbits: URI Undergraduates Help Improve Success of Conservation Breeding Programs for Imperiled Species August 31, 2026 - From penguins to rabbits, URI students are helping give imperiled species a better chance at survival. Under the mentorship of URI's Justin Richard and in partnership with leading zoos and aquariums, these CELS Summer Research Fellows are contributing to conservation efforts that reach far beyond the classroom.
CELS Summer Research Fellows examine flooding, pollution, and stormwater in Rhode Island August 25, 2026 - Carissa Sherman and Jaired Flanagan '26 used GIS, hydrologic modeling, and environmental data to investigate how water moves through Rhode Island communities — and how better stormwater management can protect local waterways and Narragansett Bay.
On the Front Lines of Mosquito Surveillance: Q&A with Mame Issa Ndoye August 25, 2026 - Mame Issa Ndoye identifies mosquitoes across Rhode Island as part of RIDEM's surveillance effort to track West Nile, Triple E, and Jamestown Canyon virus.
Tracking mosquito-borne disease across Rhode Island: Q&A with Azaliah Lopes August 23, 2026 - CELS Summer Research Fellow Azaliah Lopes spent the season in the field with RIDEM's mosquito abatement program, trapping and identifying mosquitoes across the state and testing for West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Jamestown Canyon Virus. 
Designing parks with Rhode Island communities: Q&A with Anthony Cordova August 20, 2026 - This summer, Anthony Cordova worked with communities in North Providence, Scituate, and Richmond to develop park designs shaped by community feedback, site history, culture, and ecology.
Studying predator-prey interactions in oysters: Q&A with Ashley Sauer August 17, 2026 - As part of a CELS Summer Research Fellowship, Ashley Sauer studied how blue crab predator cues affect the feeding behavior of juvenile Eastern oysters.
Investigating how coastal stressors affect oysters: Q&A with Tiahnna Dalpezzo August 17, 2026 - As a CELS Summer Research Fellow in Dr. Jonathan Purtiz’s lab, Tiahnna Dalpezzo investigated how different algae diets affect nutrient uptake and growth in juvenile Eastern oysters. Her work was part of a larger research effort examining how coastal stressors such as ocean acidification and low oxygen affect marine populations.
Unraveling the Evolutionary History of Horseshoe Crabs: Q&A with Faye Santaniello August 17, 2026 - Faye Santaniello, a marine biology and wildlife and conservation biology double major, used computational tools to investigate where horseshoe crabs fit on the evolutionary tree of arachnids.
URI student studies tiny insects with big potential for protecting ecosystems August 17, 2026 - As spotted lanternfly threatens forests, farms, and vineyards across the Northeast, plant sciences major Alyssa Clark is helping URI researchers investigate whether some of the region’s own native insects could become part of the solution.
Tracking Wildlife With Camera Traps: Q&A With Makenzie Denzler August 13, 2026 - A rising junior majoring in marine biology with a minor in wildlife and conservation biology, Makenzie Denzler is analyzing camera-trap data to learn more about Rhode Island’s flying squirrel population.
Can Artificial Nest Boxes Save Wild Bumblebees? A Q&A with Fiona Dell’Antonio August 11, 2026 - Through the CELS Summer Research Fellowship Program, Fiona Dell’Antonio is testing whether modified irrigation boxes can provide nesting sites for wild bumblebees. Her team is monitoring 300 nest boxes across five sites, tracking which species move in and how they use them.
Investigating Disease Resistance in Wild Ducks: Q&A with Miranda Lin August 5, 2026 - Through the CELS Summer Fellowship Program, Miranda is studying how wild diving ducks respond to avian influenza, research that could help scientists better understand disease resistance and improve wildlife health monitoring.
Unlocking the Genetics of Plant Cell Growth: Q&A with Megan Malone August 3, 2026 - As part of a CELS Summer Research Fellowship, Megan Malone is studying genes involved in plant cell wall development, research that could eventually help scientists develop more resilient and productive crops. 
Restoring the American Chestnut: Q&A with Ava Backes August 3, 2026 - As part of a CELS Summer Research Fellowship, Ava Backes is helping restore the American chestnut, breeding blight-resistant trees that could one day return a lost keystone species to its native range.
Keeping Greenhouses Cool: Q&A with Noah Antonellis July 30, 2026 - As part of a CELS Summer Research Fellowship, Noah Antonellis is investigating whether a specialized infrared-blocking film can keep greenhouses cooler while maintaining healthy plant growth. 
Tracking Summer Flounder: Q&A with Zuzanna Bajer July 30, 2026 - As part of a CELS Summer Research Fellowship, Zuzanna Bajer is helping URI researchers better understand the movement and distribution of summer flounder in Rhode Island waters. 
Exploring the World of Deep Sea Corals: Q&A with Lewis Truckel July 30, 2026 - Meet Lewis Truckel, a URI junior who's turning a passion for marine science into hands-on research. This summer, he's helping analyze data from the deep ocean to support coral restoration efforts
Abigail Gill November 10, 2025 - Through fieldwork, lab analysis, and community outreach, Abigail Gill deepened her passion for pollinator conservation and contributed to important, novel discoveries in local bee ecology.
Lou Cabrera November 10, 2025 - Tackling complex diagnostic puzzles, cultivating fungi with artistic flair, and creating tools to assist future plant pathologists were all in a day's work during Lou Cabrera's CELS Summer Research Fellowship.
Nick O’Connor November 6, 2025 - From studying Atlantic horseshoe crabs to researching fish habitats off the Jersey Shore, Nick O’Connor's hands-on experiences have given him a strong foundation for a future in marine research.
