In January, nine interdisciplinary research teams were selected to receive funding, totaling $797,772, from the Rhode Island Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC). Research projects directly address the Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR proposed program themes of Assessment and Impacts, Visualization and Imaging, and Forecasting and Management. The 2016 teams and projects are:

Genetic Sensors for ecosystem functions: new ways of quantifying predation in the ocean
This pilot project will bring together scientists from University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College to develop novel genetic sensors for grazers by using newly acquired transcriptomics data that specifically targets gene expression of predators under varying grazing conditions.

• Susanne Menden-Deuer, University of Rhode Island
• Tatiana Rynearson, University of Rhode Island
• Sarah Knowlton, Rhode Island College

Monitoring the Impact of Climate Change Stressors on Horizontal Gene Transfer in Marine Microbial Populations
The goal of this project is to assess the impacts of climate change-induced stressors on the potential of marine microbial populations to transfer virulence, antibiotic resistance, and other genetic traits by bringing together experts in molecular microbiology & immunology, and aquatic pathology.

• Peter Belenky, Brown University
• Ying Zhang, University of Rhode Island
• Marta Gomez-Chiarri, University of Rhode Island

A Nanoscale Biosensor for in-situ Monitoring of Water-Borne Contaminants in Coastal Ocean Environments
This team will develop and explore the use of a highly selective and near-field enhanced nanoscale biosensor that can be useful to conduct in-situ monitoring of water-borne contaminants such as toxic algae and others in coastal waters.

• Yi Zheng, University of Rhode Island
• Tracey Dalton, University of Rhode Island
• Benjamin McPheron, Roger Williams University
• Charles Thangaraj, Roger Williams University

Allelopathic effects of macroalgae on shellfish larvae in RI under current and projected sea surface temperatures
This team of researchers will prepare preliminary data to determine the identity and effects of allelochemicals released from bloom-forming macroalgae on the survival and physiology of shellfish larval stages.

• Marta Gomez-Chiarri, University of Rhode Island
• Lindsay Green, University of Rhode Island
• David Rowley, University of Rhode Island
• Roxanna Smolowitz, Roger Williams University
• Jason Grear, US EPA, Atlantic Ecology Division

Alternative nitrogen management strategies and nitrous oxide emissions from coastal watersheds and marshes
This project combines expertise in the biological sciences, engineering, and policy to measure nitrous oxide from a waste water treatment plant (Field’s Point) and on-site wastewater treatment systems in the Narragansett Bay watershed to identify sources and evaluate alternative nitrogen management strategies, including removal and recovery methods, for coastal communities.

• Serena Moseman-Valtierra, University of Rhode Island
• Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, University of Rhode Island
• Jose Amador, University of Rhode Island
• Rebecca Brown, University of Rhode Island
• James McCaughey, Narragansett Bay Commission
• Caitlin Chaffee, Coastal Resource Management Council

Developing 3D Tissue Culture for Marine Invertebrates
This project combines expertise in marine biology at URI and biomedical design and manufacturing at MicroTissues, Inc. to develop a method for culturing invertebrate cells in a 3D environment. Using a novel culture system created by MicroTissues, Inc., the team will test a number of parameters for cell culture conditions on a model organism.

• Steven Irvine, University of Rhode Island
• Jeffrey Morgan, MicroTissues, Inc.

Bringing planktonic holograms to life with YURT Ultimate Reality Theatre
This project represents a new research track for Rhode Island, fusing oceanography, plankton visualization, and analysis of images from novel tools. Field-based holographic microscopy of phytoplankton collected at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography will be parsed into meaningful, quantitative products through 3D visualization at Brown University’s YURT Ultimate Reality Theatre.

• Melissa Omand, University of Rhode Island
• Susanne Menden-Deuer, University of Rhode Island
• Tatiana Rynearson, University of Rhode Island
• Tom Sgouros, Brown University
• Ben Knorlein, Brown University

A multifaceted approach to determine zooplankton community response to environmental change
This project will work to reveal the extent of zooplankton biodiversity, including the potential to identify new species, in Rhode Island waters. Faculty PI Rynearson will partner with NOAA to examine how long-term changes in zooplankton biodiversity are correlated with environmental change.

• Tatiana Rynearson, University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography
• Jonathan Hare, NOAA Narragansett Lab Director

Development of a Cyclodextrin-Based Sensor for Selective Pesticide Detection in Complex Environments
Combining expertise in chemical analysis and pharmacology, this research team will develop a fluorescence-based hand-held sensor for pesticides that can detect different pesticides from diverse environmental and biological samples in the field. This platform technology has exciting commercial potential.

• Mindy Levine, University of Rhode Island
• Andrew Mallon, Calista Therapeutics, Inc.

From RI STAC