Degree program: JD/MMA

Year accepted: 2023

Advisor: Dr. David Bidwell

Research: Shellfish management, Tribal land use

Background: B.S. in Marine Affairs, minor in Oceanography, University of Rhode Island

Bio:

Samuel Filiaggi was born outside Philadelphia and lived in Massachusetts before his family moved away from the East Coast to Batavia, Illinois. He has always been passionate about addressing environmental issues, especially involving the ocean, and this calling drove him to return to New England and attend the University of Rhode Island. During his undergraduate studies, Samuel interned at URI’s Inner Space Center, worked with Dr. David Bidwell as a URI Coastal and Environmental Fellow, served as a CELS Ambassador, and completed a formative semester with the Williams-Mystic Coastal and Ocean Studies Program. These experiences culminated in Samuel receiving the URI Academic Excellence Award for work in Marine Affairs when he graduated in 2019.

After the pandemic, Samuel decided to attend Roger Williams University School of Law to continue pursuing a career in marine policy, focusing on environmental law and social justice. Through working with the Rhode Island Center for Justice’s housing team, The Nature Conservancy’s offshore wind team, the Alaska Section of the NOAA Office of General Counsel, and as a Rhode Island Sea Grant Law Fellow, Samuel has developed a unique appreciation for how sciences, law, and humanities are each essential tools for designing equitable solutions to environmental problems.

Since returning to URI through the JD/MMA program, Samuel has enjoyed re-immersing himself in the marine affairs community, starting with becoming an active member of the URI Sea Shanty Social Club. He is currently the president of URI’s chapter of The Coastal Society and served as a co-Graduate Student Representative to the department for the 2024-25 academic year. Through the latter position, he co-founded the State of Marine Affairs speaker series to encourage dialogue about current events. Samuel was honored with URI’s 2025 Graduate Student Inclusive Excellence Award for his involvement.

Samuel’s major project research will focus on empowering Tribal land use as related to shell fishing and wastewater management. After graduating with his MMA in December 2025, Samuel will contribute to resolving environmental and social issues through the practice of law.