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
Of feathers and flu: Identifying data gaps in bird flu host dynamics to help conserve vulnerable species May 28, 2026 - URI professor Johanna Harvey’s research contributes to deeper understanding of avian influenza dynamics in U.S. wild bird species
URI honors 2026 Asian Cultural Ambassadors May 28, 2026 - University’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities join for annual celebration to build understanding and interest and celebrate Asian/Pacific cultures at URI
URI Student Sharday Johnson Builds Bridges Across Disciplines, Communities, and Histories May 27, 2026 - A recipient of the 2026 Undergraduate Student Inclusive Excellence Award, Sharday Johnson advances first-generation student support, interdisciplinary learning, and campus-wide inclusion through advocacy and historical preservation.
Crystal Rivera De Leon ’26 on Finding Her Path at URI May 26, 2026 - From studying coastal wolves and salt marshes to caring for animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Crystal Rivera De Leon ’26 built her URI experience around curiosity, community, and hands-on learning.
