![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/Working-Hard-Hardly-Working-copy1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRenato Borras-Chavez was part of a team conducting fieldwork in Parry Fjord, an isolated part of Patagonia, Chile, to study the ecology of leopard seals and their genetic connection to Antarctic populations. The fieldwork was supported by a National Science Foundation grant, led by Sarah Kienle, assistant professor of natural resources science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The image captures a critical moment from the expedition. After hours of patrolling the freezing waters looking for animals, the team came across a female leopard seal resting on an iceberg. \u201cWe were focused, pressured\u2014piloting a drone, collecting data, and preparing to take a sample\u2014but she was undisturbed, basking in the icy stillness. The contrast was clear: We were working hard, while she was hardly working,\u201d says Borras-Chavez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judges praised the composition, texture, and balance; One said, \u201cSuch an incredible capture and backstory. I love a good drone photo, and this one is beautiful. The perfect composition between the boat and the seal, and the chunks of ice really set the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2nd Place | Photo Title: \u201cAurora Borealis Dancing Over the URI Bay Campus Beach\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Amirali Momeni, \u201927, Doctoral Student
Department of Natural Resources Science, College of the Environment and Life Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/2-Aurora-Borealis-Dancing-Over-the-URI-Bay-Campus-Beach.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAmirali Momeni\u2019s research focuses on science communication, specifically how astronomy influencers use social media to engage the public. His photo of the aurora borealis\u2014also known as the Northern Lights\u2014taken at the URI Bay Campus beach in Narragansett in October 2024, was a way to put his studies into practice. \u201cAuroras are typically seen at much higher latitudes. However, thanks to a powerful solar storm coinciding with the peak of the solar cycle, it became visible much farther south than usual,\u201d Momeni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shimmering curtains of light are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The vibrant colors are a result of atmospheric gases being excited by these solar particles. \u201cIn essence, this photograph encapsulates the core of my research: the power of visual communication to inspire awe, connect science with the public, and ultimately promote engagement with the wonders of astronomy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judges praised the color and composition; One said, \u201cThis one is a beautiful photo of a rare event, and to have it captured on URI\u2019s campus makes it even more special and deserving of a finalist spot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3rd Place | Photo Title: \u201cMisty-Eyed Long-Tailed Macaque\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paige Hojdar \u201927
Departments of Marine Biology and Marine Affairs, College of the Environment and Life Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/3-Hojdar-Misty-Eyed-Long-Tailed-Macaque.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPaige Hojdar traveled to Indonesia with her classmates in the Winter J-term course \u201cBiodiversity, Geology, and Water Resources.\u201d In Indonesia, they hiked Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java. As they trekked down a hidden path to get a better view, they heard rustling in the trees. They paused and spotted a group of macaques. \u201cEnamored by their playful personalities,\u201d says Hojdar, \u201cI sat in the mud and stared, camera poised and zoomed in tight. This monkey stayed still for a long while, eventually lifting his eyes to the heavens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hojdar incorporated this photo into her group\u2019s final project on marine pollution in Indonesia. \u201cThis course emphasized the importance of protecting these environments,\u201d she says, \u201cespecially in areas of high tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judges praised the engaging eye contact; One said, \u201cThis portrait effectively emphasizes the subject\u2019s eyes, using a small depth of field to create a pleasing out-of-focus background.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honorable Mention | Photo Title: \u201cThe Glow of the Neuromasts\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gus Bienenfeld \u201925
Departments of Marine Biology, and Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, College of the Environment and Life Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/4-The-Glow-of-the-Neuromasts.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGus Bienenfeld works in the lab of Professor Emerita Jacqueline Webb, focusing on the imaging, mapping, and analysis of superficial neuromasts\u2014sensory receptor organs on fish that detect movement or vibrations in the water\u2014in species of fish available in the aquarium trade. This photo is a composite image of a checkered barb with a mitochondrial binding stain that allows for visualization and quantification of neuromasts making up the fish\u2019s lateral line system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis image highlights both the complexity and beauty of the mechanosensory lateral line system of fishes,\u201d Bienenfeld says. \u201cThis species in particular exhibited superficial neuromasts all over the body with perfect lines radiating from around the eye on the cheek, on both the pre-operculum and operculum, every single scale in the lateral line series, as well as in horizontal lines on the caudal fin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One judge noted that the image is \u201ca great example of something fundamentally scientific, yet aesthetically powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honorable Mention | Photo Title: \u201cCerebella-Melon\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Emily Potts \u201925 and Alicia Collins \u201926, Doctoral Students
Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/5-Cerebella-Melon.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmily Potts and Alicia Collins took this immunohistochemistry (IHC) image of a rat cerebellum in the lab of Claudia Fallini, assistant professor of cell and molecular biology. There, they study how changes to essential proteins such as TDP43 contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe image distinctly showcases the layered organization of the cerebellum,\u201d say Potts and Collins. \u201cThis staining combination provides valuable insight into neuronal structure, cellular organization, and potential neurodegenerative processes in the cerebellum. This helps us uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, identify affected neuronal populations, and explore potential therapeutic targets to mitigate disease progression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One judge noted that the image, paradoxically, is \u201ca beautifully soft abstraction for such insidious diseases,\u201d and that it \u201coffers a kind of understanding and hope for future cures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honorable Mention | Photo Title: \u201cA Moment of Focus\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Enzo Zambito \u201926
Department of Sports Media and Communication, College of Arts and Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1087\/6-A-Moment-of-Focus.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEnzo Zambito took this photo of URI center David Fuchs at the free-throw line on February 26, 2025, during the URI vs. Dayton men\u2019s basketball game. The image highlights Fuchs\u2019 concentration as he is surrounded by cheering fans. \u201cFuchs is locked in with intense focus as he prepares to take his shot,\u201d says Zambito. \u201cThe lighting and composition emphasize the intensity of the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Zambito, capturing moments like this allows him to combine his passion for sports with his skills in photography and storytelling. \u201cThe photo not only showcases the game itself but also represents the intensity and emotions that define sports,\u201d says Zambito.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judges agreed, commenting that the photo shows \u201ccrisp focus and a great moment,\u201d and is a \u201cgreat sports shot.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
1st Place | Photo Title: \u201cWorking Hard\u2013Hardly Working\u201d Renato Borras-Chavez, Postdoctoral ResearcherDepartment of Natural Resources Science, College of the Environment and Life SciencesEnvironment and Life Sciences Renato Borras-Chavez was part of a team conducting fieldwork in Parry Fjord, an isolated part of Patagonia, Chile, to study the ecology of leopard seals and their genetic connection […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":701,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-755","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/701"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=755"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":899,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/755\/revisions\/899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/photocontest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}