Biography

Bethany Jenkins is the Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development and a Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology and Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island where she leads a marine microbiology research team. She is a member of the US steering committee for an international study of marine biogeochemical cycles of trace elements and isotope (GEOTRACES) a past chair and vice-chair of the Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Scientific Steering Committee, a scientific body that coordinates and facilitates activities relevant to carbon cycle science, climate, and global change issues for the National Science Foundation and NASA. Jenkins was the recipient of the 2018 URI Advanced Career Faculty Research Award in life sciences, physical science, and engineering. She recently served URI as the director of the Biological and Environmental Sciences Graduate Program and was a member of URI’s graduate council and URI’s faculty senate. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon and earned her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College.