The 2024-2025 University of Rhode Island Research and Scholarship Photo Contest
is now open. 

The University of Rhode Island Magazine, the URI Division of Research and Economic Development magazine, Momentum: Research & Innovation, and the Rhode Island Sea Grant/URI Coastal Institute magazine, 41°N: Rhode Island’s Ocean and Coastal Magazine, are sponsoring a research & scholarship photo contest, open to all current URI faculty, staff, and students. We invite you to enter a photo or digital image of your own research/scholarship in any field.

All entries will be considered for use in University of Rhode Island magazines, websites or other outlets, with credit to the creator.

PRIZES:

  • 1st Place – $500 in Amazon gift cards
  • 2nd Place – $250 in Amazon gift cards
  • 3rd Place – $150 in Amazon gift cards

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Any URI faculty, staff, or student currently associated with a research/scholarship project at URI.

JUDGING: 

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges. Winning entries will be impactful images with strong connections to the research or scholarship they represent.

Winners will be announced in April.

Winners will be recognized at URI’s Annual Research and Scholarship Excellence Awards. 

RULES:

  1. All entries must be submitted below by Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
  2. Individuals may submit more than one entry, but may only win one prize.
  3. Images must be a minimum of 10MB-35MB in size, and may be photographs or other digital images (e.g., model output, x-ray) in .jpg formats only.
  4. Images must be of your own work, or a project that you are affiliated with at URI and have permission to photograph/output must be taken within the last two years.
  5. The photo you submit must be taken by you. Photos of you taken by another photographer are not eligible.
  6. Entry forms must be fully completed for consideration.
  7. By submitting an entry, the photographer grants the right to the University of Rhode Island to publish their photo, agreeing that the photo may be used in print (magazine, newspaper) or electronically (web, social media). Although the photographer may not receive monetary compensation for their photo, they will be credited accordingly.  Employees of 41°N, Momentum and the University of Rhode Island Magazine  are not eligible to enter.
  8. All photos should be taken safely and legally, i.e no trespassing.
  9. All photos must be submitted by a current URI student, faculty or staff member (current: taking classes or employed during the 2024-2025 academic year). 
  10. Prizes are subject to tax.

Please complete the

Photo Contest Submission Form

  • enter only numbers, no - or ( )
  • Photos must be no more than two years old. Any photo taken after March 15, 2020 must adhere to social distancing and face-covering guidelines. If the photo has multiple people they must be six feet apart and be wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth.
  • Please tell us the details of this photo, what are we looking at in the photo, where did you take the photo? The more descriptive the more helpful it is for the judges.
  • What class is it part of? What project, research or scholarship, is it part of? How does this photo depict/ relay your research or scholarship experience at URI? Please include laymen's terms as this information may be included in the press release.
  • This is for the press release.
  • Max. file size: 35 MB.
    Instructions: By entering this contest, I confirm that I am the individual who took the photo and have the authority to submit it for this contest. I grant the right to the University of Rhode Island to publish my photo, agreeing that the photo can be used in print (magazine; newspaper) or electronically (web; social media). I acknowledge that I may not receive monetary compensation for my photo, but will be credited accordingly. * File size minimum 10MB maximum 35MB.
  • Please enter any two digits. Example 12

to be eligible. 

For questions please email: urimag@uri.edu 

Congratulations to the URI Photo Contest winners!

Prior Photo Contest Winners:

1st Place
Photo Title: EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL AND CHICK
Megan Gray ’17, graduate student in natural resources sciencee


“This is likely one of the only photos ever taken of an Eastern whip-poor-will brooding her chick.”            

Gray’s master’s research focuses on the nesting ecology of two successional nesting species related to whip-poor-wills: Eastern towhees and prairie warblers. She visited whip-poor-will nests being monitored by her fellow master’s student, Liam Corcoran. She says, “Little is known about the nesting phase of this cryptic and understudied species … and they have declined heavily through their range [due to] loss of breeding habitat and reduction in flying insects.”

2nd place
Photo Title: A FUTURE FISH
Michael Corso ’24, aquaculture and fisheries science


Corso’s research has focused on creating and implementing a new feed-weaning protocol to enhance the early survival of mahi-mahi larvae, research that is ultimately aimed at creating a sustainable alternative to wild-caught seafood. He says, “With many marine pelagic species being overfished to feed the growing human population, aquaculture initiatives are beginning to overtake wild fisheries in terms of global consumption. The advanced aquaculture research being done at GSO aims to ensure that culture methods for species with commercial potential, like mahi-mahi, are fully developed, allowing for future sustainable production.” Corso is grateful to Terence M. Bradley, URI professor of aquaculture and fisheries, for allowing him to use his lab for this research.

3rd place
Photo Title: BOILER REEF
Anya Hanson, director, URI Research Diving and Safety Program


“The boiler reefs of Bermuda are named after the appearance of turbulent and boiling seawater. In this photo, a student descends next to a large boiler to explore, despite choppy conditions and surging water movement.”    

The judges noted the composition and technical skills on display in this photo. One said, “Great underwater photograph of a diver, showing the contrasting deep blues and whitewater from the breaking waves above.” Another commented, “This picture nicely portrays the contrast between the human figure and the beautiful ocean environment, which is emphasized by the natural texture.”

Honorable Mention
Photo Title: NIGHTTIME IN NEURON CITY
Riccardo Sirtori, postdoctoral fellow, George & Annie Ryan Institute for Neuroscience


This microsopy image shows a neurofilament immunofluorescence staining of a motor neuron culture derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Sirtori explains, “The green color marks the cytoskeleton of the neurons, allowing us to see their shape. Neurons are grouped in big clusters and their neurites (long branches) connect those clusters.” Sirtori says the Fallini Lab at the Ryan Institute is focused on “understanding pathogenic mechanisms behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.” He adds, “To this end, we use stem cell-derived neurons to model in vitro the neurodegenerative process occurring in the brains of patients.”      

The judges were impressed by the clarity and composition of the image. “This image portrays a gorgeous web of complex connections underlying such a horrific disease,” said one. Another commented, “This is an interesting abstract composition generated by an attractive structural grid.”