UNIVERSITY OF

RHODESUMMER 2019 ISLANDMAGAZINE

BLUE

MINDSURI scientists answer the powerful call of the ocean by making it their workplace, playground, and sacred space. Aperture

THE ENDLESS BOND BETWEEN MOTHER AND CHILD Matthew Palasciano ’20 A young macaque clings to its mother at the local watering hole in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, where Palasciano studied ALL THE WATER RETURNS TO HALL biodiversity, hydrology, and water Yeqiao Wang, Professor of Natural resource management. He and two Resources Science other students studied deforestation This rural village home in southern and illegal logging in Indonesia to China is designed to collect rain- understand the destruction these water from all directions through a activities cause for wildlife and its rectangular opening in its sloped habitat. Palasciano is studying roof. The water is stored in a stone geological oceanography and plans cellar underneath the central hall. This to pursue a master’s degree in coastal photograph showcases the wisdom of geology and business administration. a sustainable rural routine presented He hopes to work in cultural resource by this 100-year-old eco-friendly management and as a professional house. Professor Wang is leading and shark diver in the Bahamas. Palasciano engaging more than 300 scholars and is from Thomaston, Connecticut. practitioners from URI and around the His photo won first place in URI's world to develop a multivolume book Research and Scholarship Photo series entitled The Handbook of Contest this spring. Natural Resources. This photo was taken during one of his field trips for the series. Professor Wang is originally from China. His photo won second place in URI's Research and Scholar- ship Photo Contest this spring. YELLOW WARBLER Stephen Brenner ’18 Taken in Manitoba, Canada, this photo depicts research with URI‘s McWilliams Lab in Biological and Environmental Sciences monitoring the demo- graphics, breeding success, and growth rates of long- distance migratory birds at the far northern reaches of their range in shifting habitats and climate. Brenner is from Buffalo, New York.

These photos by FUNGI GUTTATION Brenner, Kirk, and Riley Kirk, Ph.D. ’23 Jaacks received This photograph shows a frost bolete mushroom that is experiencing a rapid growth phase. The yellow honorable mentions droplets on the pores are not dew, but the result of a in URI's Research process known as guttation: when a mushroom exudes fluid during high metabolic times. After this and Scholarship photo was taken in the Great Swamp Management Photo Contest Area in West Kingston, Rhode Island, the mushroom this spring. was collected and brought back to the laboratory for extraction and isolation experiments. Kirk, who is pursuing a doctoral degree in natural product chemistry, is from Charlestown, Rhode Island.

RAINING SPARKS Laird French ’21 This image of burning steel wool being spun on a rope was taken using an 8-second shutter speed as part of a project for ART 214, or Photography 1, for a long- exposure photo assignment. French is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with an REEF MANTA expected minor in fine arts Jason Jaacks, Assistant Professor of Journalism and plans to move to Hawaii Jaacks captured this image while free diving in Raja and become a professional Ampat, Indonesia. The reef manta was cruising photographer/videographer through a cloud of plankton. Jaacks was working on a after graduation. French is from short film about sustainable fisheries practices in Kingston, Rhode Island. His Indonesia, as part of a multiyear visual study of the photo won third place in URI's biodiversity of the Coral Triangle region of the South Research and Scholarship Pacific. Jaacks is originally from Denver, Colorado. Photo Contest this spring.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 3 Inside UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE • VOL. 1, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019

CURRENTS FEATURES NETWORK 10 18 46 In Brief COVER STORY: Class Notes URI news to keep you Blue Minds in-the-know. What is blue mind? 52 We’ll explain. And we’ll Field Notes 11 introduce you to some Advice and insights from Why I Teach of URI’s bluest minds— Cortney Nicolato ’01, Pharmacy professor a group of scientists president and CEO of Erica Estus helps future who call the ocean their United Way, Rhode pharmacists develop home, their workplace, Island. empathy. their playground, and their sacred space. 53 12 Close Up Bay and Beyond 30 Bill Eigen ’90 learned Learn to eat what’s plentiful Surf First to invest by flipping in local waters. Here’s a Peter Panagiotis ’71 is muscle cars in college. summer recipe to help you a legend among surfers. Now, he applies the same get started. He started URI’s surf hands-on principles to club and he’s still in bond trading. 34 the flow. 13 The Internationalists 54 Go Rhody URI students are immersing Big finishes for women's 34 Annotations The themselves in the study of language track and field and rowing. Vikki Warner ’98 shares and culture and tackling some of Internationalists delightful, surprising the world’s toughest problems. 14 URI students are excerpts from her book, Above, Cynthia Malambi ’20 in 54 Syllabus immersing themselves Tenemental. Shanghai. Annotations Can Game of Thrones in the study of Make You Smarter? language and culture 56 Vikki Warner ’98, modern and tackling some of Caption This landlady and author, shares 14 the world’s toughest Stroll down Memory delightful, surprising excerpts problems. Rhode Taken Lane, check out the from her book, Tenemental. winners from the last Nursing alumna Bintou 40 Marong seized every issue, and send us your opportunity to forge a Fins, Flippers, best caption for the successful path. and Finding a summer photo caption Dream Job contest. 16 URI alumni are well Quad Angles represented at Mystic Sunshine Menezes, Aquarium, where many executive director of URI's have landed dream jobs Metcalf Institute, makes a and all are dedicated to case for embracing the marine education and limits of objectivity. conservation.

17 Underwater archaeologist Bridget Buxton Ask Our Big Thinkers (far right), an associate professor in URI’s It’s tick season. Tips Department of History, scans an ancient from URI’s TickGuy, Roman shipwreck in Croatia using a Tom Mather. prototype University of Girona 3DVR camera system.

COVER PHOTO OF ALEXANDRA MOEN: NORA LEWIS PHOTOS, THIS PAGE: JACOB SHARVIT; COURTESY CYNTHIA MALAMBI; NORA LEWIS

4 SUMMER 2019 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 5 FROM THE PRESIDENT New Chapters We are shaped by our rich oceanographic heritage, our dynamic global spirit, and our shared values and vision. These themes will carry URI into new chapters in our extraordinary history.

IN THE PAST DECADE, URI of U.S. ocean territory, the insti- has continuously challenged the tute will play a crucial role in notion that universities are slow improving understanding of the to change, as we keep thinking deep sea and will strengthen the big about our future, even while “blue economy,” which is expected honoring our proud past. With to more than double its contribu- the recent merger of the URI tion to the U.S. economy and Alumni Association and the URI employ 40 million people by 2030. Foundation, we have taken the The NOAA grant announce- logical next step in our amazing ment was well timed, as we were institutional trajectory. As URI has just laying the keel of the R/V advanced—with record enrollment, Resolution, a new $125 million expanded faculty, and a renewed research ship that will have a focus on research—these two great home at our Narragansett Bay organizations have united around Campus as of 2022. The keel- their shared vision and values. laying ceremony, celebrating The merger could not be hap- the start of construction of the pening at a more auspicious time. Resolution, took place in May The effort was led by Tom Ryan ’75, President David M. Dooley, Rhode Island Governor Gina 2019 at Gulf Island Shipyards in Raimondo, Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education Hon. ’99, chairman of the URI Houma, Louisiana. I was honored Chair Timothy DelGiudice, and Graduate School of Foundation Board of Directors, Oceanography Dean Bruce Corliss celebrate the keel-laying to participate in the ceremony, and Dan Lowney ’75, former for the R/V Resolution. along with Rhode Island Governor president of the URI Alumni Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island Association Executive Board. Going Even as we globalize, we remain true Council on Postsecondary Education forward, alumni will experience the to our evolving mission as a land and sea Chair Timothy DelGiudice, Graduate dynamism that URI has to offer in grant institution. So it makes sense that School of Oceanography Dean Bruce new and meaningful ways. we’re taking a deep dive—pun intended— Corliss, and members of URI’s research That dynamism is palpable in this issue into our cover story, “Blue Minds,” which vessel crew. of the University of Rhode Island Magazine. will introduce you to a group of URI sci- These two exciting developments The winning photo (inside front cover) entists whose work and play keeps them herald a new chapter in the rich history in our annual Research and Scholarship deeply connected and committed to the of oceanographic research and education Photo Contest, “The Endless Bond ocean. Alexandra Moen ’15 earned her at URI, building on a legacy of excellence. Between Mother and Child,” depicts a undergraduate degree from URI in Speaking of a legacy of excellence, in baby macaque clinging to its mother at marine biology. Now, as a dive instructor our fall issue, we’ll sit down with Tom the local watering hole in Ubud, Bali, here, she is keenly aware that she is teach- Ryan to talk about his life, work, values, Indonesia. ing future environmental stewards. Expe- and what’s next for the renowned busi- Geological oceanography undergradu- riencing the ocean environment firsthand nessman and philanthropist. And we can’t ate student Matthew Palasciano ’20 was is key. “It’s one of the greatest perks about wait to give you a first look at our impres- there to study the destructive effects of my job that I can break that disassociation sive new engineering complex. deforestation and illegal logging. Matt’s that we have—that what we do to the Until then, Detail of the spiral staircase travels epitomize our global approach environment doesn’t matter.” under construction in URI's new to education, underscored in “The Earlier this spring, URI legend Robert College of Engineering complex, Internationalists,” which highlights the Ballard was named lead investigator for which will open this fall. The phenomenal growth of our language and building will be a project-based the National Oceanic and Atmospheric David M. Dooley culture programs, now among the largest Administration’s ocean exploration insti- platform for hands-on learning. President, University of Rhode Island We will showcase the new in the nation. The story features more tute, which URI was selected to host. This engineering complex in the fall remarkable student photography from honor comes with a $94 million grant issue of the University of Rhode around the globe. over five years. Surveying 3 billion acres Island Magazine.

6 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: CRYSTAL SANDERSON; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 7 Berb eri s th u n b e

r Memories Barberry-an Invasion g

i Feedback i Those [photo caption contest] pictures are Write to us: [email protected] Good evening! Over dinner, I was enjoying the such fun and bring back a million memories lovely new format of the URI Magazine—it Visit us and comment at uri.edu/magazine of my days at URI. My husband and I met looks great and is packed with informative arti- there and shared many kisses under those old cles. However, I was dismayed to see Japanese From the Editor oak trees. We had 63 beautiful years together barberry as one of the featured plants in “Good before he died last year at age 86. We have Thank you, Lisa, for raising I grew up in the Midwest, and I love to Surfing is much harder than I imag- for What Ails You” (Spring 2019). While this five daughters and 28 grandchildren/great- such an important point. Other watch a storm roll in across a field. But ined. It is, as Alexandra Moen ’15 points plant appears to have medicinal value, it is also grandchildren....and it all started at good old readers contacted plant sciences I also love to watch waves roll in to out in our cover story, “Blue Minds” (page one of the worst invasive species on the Rhode Rhody! I look forward to the new pictures professor Brian Maynard with shore. When I was a kid, we trekked to 20), humbling. Of the myriad wonderful Island (and elsewhere) landscape, and I’m every month. Good job! the same concern. Of Japanese New England every summer to visit fam- things about surfing, the chance to be out alarmed to think that anyone at URI is promot- —Sandi Griffin ’53 barberry, Maynard and garden ily and spend time at the ocean. We went on the water in any and all weather is ing its use (which means that people will want coordinator Elizabeth Leibovitz to the beach, dug for clams, and took the pretty high on the list. Rediscovering that to grow it). Our own Alton Jones campus is say, “Don’t plant it!” While the ferry to Block Island. Those days on the feeling of floating while falling asleep infested with this plant, which has thorns, so plant has a variety of medicinal ocean were magic, and when I’d lay down after a day in the waves is up there too. Kudos the deer won’t eat it; they eat everything else and the barberry continues to spread. [URI uses, it is an invasive shrub that in bed, tired and sunbaked after a day In the book, Blue Mind (see Lauren I graduated with a degree in textiles and fash- should] make sure that students and the public can be found in almost any yard, playing in the waves, I could feel myself— Poirier’s piece on page 18), Wallace J. ion, although freshman year I spiraled off the know what plants are an ecological issue in our hiking trail, or wooded area in hours later—still rocking and swaying. Nichols asserts that water “provides the standard path into the magical world of the landscapes. Touch base with Rhode Island Nat- Rhode Island—and throughout Last fall, my friend and I asked one of most profound shortcut to happiness.” Good surfers make it look effortless. When Theatre Department. And if I wasn't building ural History Survey (RINHS), located at East the Northeast and much of the our fitness instructors at the local YMCA, And he has the science to back it up. The you're learning, you realize it isn't. And you sets or costumes, I was crewing with the fall in—a lot—as I'm about to do here. Farm, if you have questions about invasive spe- Midwest. It can establish itself in who happens to be Peter Panagiotis ’71, science is important and fascinating, but Sailing Team. Both loves of mine to this day. cies in Rhode Island. Thanks! dense thickets, limiting native aka Peter Pan (read about Peter in “Surf I don’t need it to know that he’s right. When I received the latest alumni magazine, —Lisa Lofland Gould, M.S. ’72 plants, altering soil composition, First” on page 30), if he'd teach us to surf. The faculty and staff featured in “Blue doing so, we make ourselves happier, and I was immediately captivated by the depth of we deepen our relationship with the sea, and harboring ticks. That weekend, we had our first lesson. I Minds” feel a magnetic attraction to the the content and its ability to evoke empathy Lisa is former director of RINHS and former helping to ensure its health and survival, swallowed more salt water in that hour ocean, and they respond by spending their and understanding about people and events director of the Rhode Island Invasive Species and, with it, our own. than ever in my life to that point. My free time on the water—many of them are far outside my experience. I read this issue Council arms hurt for days from paddling— surfers—and by dedicating their work lives —Barbara Caron, Editor-in-Chief cover to cover, and mused the entire time, hard—while Peter yelled, “Dig! Dig! You’ll to studying, knowing, and protecting the "THIS is where I went to school? Who knew never catch a wave paddling like that!” oceans—locally and around the globe. Mentors play an important role so many interesting things were going on But it was fun. Really fun. We surfed (Can The power and pull of the sea isn’t for lots of people in their lives there!" I look forward to the next issue. Quantum Calculations Enough you call it surfing if you aren’t really unique to the University of Rhode Island. and careers. Do you (or did you) —Linda Meise ’73 I enjoyed reading the article, "Quantum Quest” standing up and you’re under the board But we do have something special here. have a mentor? Or have you Already in the spring edition. Dr. Savoie is indeed a more than on it?) all winter long, Peter’s We are positioned—geographically and been a mentor to someone else? The feature on Marty Rojas and reading Moby Really enjoy your new worthy subject. I found the article well-written. contagious whooping and laughing academically—to connect to the ocean’s We’d love to hear your stories. Dick was delightful. mag design. Lots of inter- However, the observation on page 22 that, inspiring us. power on a daily basis in infinite ways. In Tell us at [email protected]. —Brett Rutherford ’05 esting short stories and "Sixty bits can hold 120 possible values," is especially love the great mistaken. Sixty bits can hold 2-to-the-power- young entrepreneurs pre- SOCIAL SNAPS | INSTAGRAM of-sixty different values, which is over a quin- The University of Rhode Island Magazine is sented. But, the article and tillion already. A quintillion is peanuts to published by the University of Rhode Island. quotes from CNN lead sixty qubits. I don't know the capacity of sixty Copyright pending, all rights reserved. international reporter Email: [email protected] Online: uri.edu/magazine qubits, but it is many orders of magnitude Amanpour was really in Phone: 401.874.5895 larger than that. As I understand it, each poor form. Can't this be qubit can hold at least three values (1, 0, and Executive Editor: Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06, kept out of a publication Vice President, URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement between), sixty qubits, then, would hold over by the Alumni Associa- Editor-in-Chief: Barbara Caron 42 heptillion values. That's about 42 million tion? We are all gagging Art Director: Kim Robertson times that quintillion. on the media trying to Contributing Editors: Annie Babineau, Dina M. Dionizio ’91, —Steven P. Warr, '72 Shane Donaldson ’99, Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87, propagandize the news. Leslie Lowenstein, Kate O’Malley, Marybeth Reilly-McGreen Thank you, Steven, for keeping us on our toes. Please! Rhode Island is a Contributing Designer: Cynthia McMillen Fish-Eye Lens A Man’s Life Rooted in Community Peace Out Our own Leonard Kahn, professor of physics, liberal state. We get it. The newest diving Harrington School film media and public URI’s Alumni of Color Network Graduating seniors got creative Photographer: Nora Lewis says, “The reader is correct. 60 bits can describe Enough already. class offered at URI is relations major Justine Mirek ’19 produced a gets together regularly, and with their caps in the #myuricap Illustrations: Anthony Russo ’74 2-to-the-power-of-60 different values (or states); —C. Provencal ’71 advanced diving and film poignantly portraying her grandfather’s always has a good time. contest for a chance at VIP Digital Design: John Pennypacker, Bo Pickard however, in a classical computer, only one value underwater photography. struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. @uriacn seating and parking for Editorial Board: Kelly Mahoney ’03, Executive Director, can be represented at a time. In a quantum com- @uriscubaprogram @uriharringtonschool Commencement 2019. Cap External Relations and Communications; Linda A. Acciardo ’77, by Savannah Mullarney ’19. Director, Communications and Marketing; Austen Farrell, puter, 60 qubits can represent 2 to the power of @universityofri Chief Marketing Officer, URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement 60 states simultaneously.”

8 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: JOSH ARAUJO; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 9

= WHY I TEACH = Currents Prescription: Empathy Get more Get more = IN BRIEF = at news today.uri.edu = NEWS TICKER = Erica Estus Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Level Up Marketing students from the College of Business placed TO HEAR ERICA ESTUS TALK third in the national Acura about her career is to be reminded of ILX Marketing Challenge for that time in early childhood when you their semester-long “Level believed it was entirely possible to be a Up” campaign, successfully ballerina-firefighter-astronaut-mom. promoting the Acura ILX to In Estus’ case, she wanted to be a young consumers. pharmacist and an educator. She also had an interest in geriatrics, having grown up Compassion Class next door to her grandparents, an experi- Thupten Tendhar, a URI grad ence she appreciated fully, then and now. Wind Power Big Boost for Biomed Listening to Whales student and former Tibetan Buddhist monk, created a So Estus, a 1996 graduate of URI’s Ørsted US Offshore Wind The Rhode Island IDeA Net- A group of URI students has series of online lessons to Doctor of Pharmacy Program, became and Eversource have pledged work of Biomedical Research developed an acoustic device teach compassion. All an award-winning pharmacist-teacher- $4.5 million to support offshore Excellence (INBRE), a partner- that will detect the sounds students who completed researcher—and also a mother and a wind education and supply ship based at URI, was awarded of whales and other marine the lessons showed positive yoga teacher. And she brings all this chain development in Rhode $20 million to further expand mammals near the Block Island changes in measures of experience to bear in her teaching, work- Island. Three million dollars will statewide research capacity in Wind Farm. The device will compassion and overall ing to improve communication between well-being. be invested in higher education cancer, neuroscience, environ- send the sounds to a server pharmacy students and the older adults around offshore wind programs mental health, and other bio- where the students can moni- On Campus Anytime they will one day serve. led by URI. medical sciences. tor and record them. New, high-definition cameras She does this through intergenera- on the Quad at URI’s tional experiential learning; specifically, Go to uri.edu/about/quadcams Kingston Campus and she takes her students to a local senior overlooking the water at the living community, where they spend a lot Narragansett Bay Campus of time with the residents throughout the allow members of the URI year—talking, doing activities, even put- community and the public ting on an annual “Senior Prom.” The to see the campuses from idea, Estus says, is to expose students to computers, phones, or experiences that can’t be fully simulated tablets 24 hours a day. in a classroom—such as the challenges Globe-Trotters cognitive and physical decline pose for Sixteen URI students were patients as they age. Experience with the named Beatrice S. Demers patient population complements and Foreign Language Fellows, expands upon the theories Estus teaches. and received grants to “Social things—like empathy—you can’t “We need more intergenerational communication to foster pursue language studies in teach,” Estus says. “Students have to empathy and relationship-building.” —Erica Estus Argentina, China, Germany, experience those things themselves.” NOAA Coastal Management Fellows and 2019 Italy, France, Spain, Japan, Pharmacy students learn that the gen- M.M.A. grads Ben Sweeney, Leah Feldman, and Taiwan, and Jordan. erations separating them from the for both parties. “I think we need more more they see the value in the service Sabrina Pereira. seniors don’t matter so much. “The typi- Sweet Scholarship for of that intergenerational communication they’re providing.” cal observation made is how alike they Climate Change Fellows STEM Teachers to foster empathy and relationship-build- “My dad owned a pharmacy. I always URI’s School of Education are and how easy it is to communicate ing,” she says. “There is more to it than wanted to be a pharmacist, but I also Jasmin Johnson ’22 models a piece designed Three URI marine affairs master’s degree grads received $1.2 million from with one another,” Estus says. just talking about medications and how always wanted to be a teacher,” Estus by Killian Maloney ’19. received prestigious two-year National Oceanic the National Science The pace of a pharmacy can make a they work.” says. “When the opportunity arose to and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Foundation’s Robert Noyce person feel stressed and rushed, Estus Students find joy in realizing how combine both of my passions, I knew I Radioactive Dreams Coastal Management Fellowships. Of the six Teacher Scholarship Program says. This can spill over into interactions much they can offer, and Estus finds hap- had to pursue it. URI’s 16th annual Spring Splash Fashion Show, national candidates selected, three were from to recruit, prepare, and between pharmacist and patron. Estus piness in watching her students discover “Now I can’t imagine doing anything “Radioactive Dreams,” featured creative designs URI. They will work with coastal communities to mentor science and math believes the more opportunities for stu- new skills. “I find that students are very e l s e .” • from 10 Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and prepare for extreme events, like storms, and to teachers for high-need dents to communicate with the public, motivated and intelligent. The more —Marybeth Reilly-McGreen Design students; scholarships were awarded for manage the everyday impacts of coastal erosion school districts. the better the future interactions will be experience and exposure they have, the outstanding work. and sea-level rise.

10 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; BEAU JONES; WIKIPEDIA.COM; MICHAEL SALERNO; HANSJE GOLD-KRUECK PHOTO: AYLA FOX UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 11 CURRENTS

= BAY AND BEYOND = Eat Like a Fish Learning to eat what the ocean provides can help sustain wild fish species. = GO RHODY =

WHERE WERE THE GREENS AND VEGETABLES IN your lunchtime salad grown? If you’re among the three- Lotte Black Places quarters of Americans who, according to a 2018 Gallup poll, strive to eat locally grown foods, you may have purchased Fourth in Nation them from a farmers market or a community-supported agriculture program. Eating locally is widely recognized as Best-Ever Finish by URI Woman Athlete healthier, fresher, good for local economies, and good for the RHODE ISLAND JUNIOR second to cap off a record- environment. But what about the seafood you’re grilling Lotte Black finished fourth breaking year. Her finish in for dinner? out of 12 runners in the fourth place is the best-ever When it comes to fish, sustainable, local eating is equally 1500-meter final at the finish by a Rhode Island important, but hasn’t been as widely embraced. Over a hun- NCAA Track and Field woman athlete in any sport. dred edible seafood species thrive off New England’s ocean Championships in Austin, Black set nine program shores. But many of the most plentiful species are hard to Texas, in June. records this year and was find in local markets and largely unknown to consumers. Black was in 10th place named A-10 Track Performer URI is a partner with Eating with the Ecosystem, a pro- with 400 meters to go; by of the Week four times this Varsity 8+ team members, sophmores Jennae Alexander (left) gram working to change the demand for and availability finishing the last 200 meters season. In addition, she and Katie Usher (right), carry the team boat at the 2019 NCAA of local, plentiful fish species. They promote a place-based of her race in 31 seconds, she was named First Team All- Championships in Indianapolis. approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood through finished in fourth place. Her American by the U.S. Track healthy habitats, flourishing food webs, and short, adaptive final time of 4:13.02 broke & Field and Cross Country supply chains. In other words, they want people to eat like a her two-day-old school Coaches Association. • In the Swing fish, which means eating what the ocean provides—adopting record by one hundredth of a —Michaela Benford A Triumphant Season for URI Women’s Rowing a supply-based, rather than a demand-based, way of eating. • —Barbara Caron RHODE ISLAND WOMEN’S All three scoring boats won rowing won its third conference their respective flights, giving title in four years and competed URI a sweep of the competi- Eating with the Ecosystem’s new cookbook, SCUP CRUDO at the NCAA Championship tion. Seniors Erika Pena, Allie Simmering the Sea: Diversifying Cookery to Sustain 2 scup, filleted and skin removed ¼ cup salt for the second straight spring. Reilly, and Maddie Van Our Fisheries, encourages readers to expand their Rinse under cold running water and pat dry. Sprinkle salt on both sides. Let Head Coach Shelagh Ummersen all earned A-10 seafood horizons. rest in refrigerator for 8 to 10 minutes. Rinse in a bowl of ice water. Pat dry. Donohoe was named A-10 First Team All-Conference Sarah Schumann ’04 is a commercial fisher, an Thinly slice each fillet on a bias (45º angle). Coach of the Year for the sec- honors, while classmate Katie advocate for healthy marine ecosystems, a freelance Vinaigrette ond straight season and the Shattuck was named to the educator and writer, and a co-author of Simmering ¼ English cucumber, thinly sliced 2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped sixth time in her career. Her second team. It was the third the Sea. She shared this recipe for scup crudo—a 2 radishes, thinly sliced 1 lime, juiced team placed 21st nationally at consecutive year Shattuck was refreshing, no-cook recipe that’s perfect for summer. 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced 2 Tablespoons olive oil the NCAA Championship. named to the all-conference 1 spring onion, thinly sliced Salt to taste Rhody’s Varsity 4+ team of team. coxswain Tory Bauer, Tinsley While this year’s team Learn more about Eating with the Ecosystem and Neatly line plate with cucumber slices. Place sliced fish fillets on top. Mix rad- Copeland, Morgan Cody, featured a big senior class order your copy of Simmering the Sea at ishes, pepper, spring onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Slowly whisk in Stephanie Erlacher, and Julia (nine of the 23 URI rowers eatingwiththeecosystem.org. olive oil. Drizzle over fish. Sprinkle with salt. Serves 4. Fortin placed 19th in its flight. at NCAAs were seniors), there It was the highest finish ever is a bright future for Rhode by a Rhode Island boat at the Island. First-year student HOW TO EXPAND YOUR LOCAL SEAFOOD HORIZONS NCAAs, held at Eagle Creek Kat Gillies was one of 15 row- Park in Indianapolis from May ers nationally to be invited Seek out Buy, cook, and use If you don’t see the local Order the fish you’re look- When you’re trying 31 through June 2. to USRowing’s Under 23 local species the whole fish. fish variety you’re looking ing for in advance. Special new varieties of sea- At the May 18 A-10 Cham- Women’s Olympic Develop- you haven’t for, ask your grocer or orders let vendors know food, invite friends pionship on Cooper River in ment Program Camp, which tried before. fishmonger. If you don’t there’s interest in lesser- and family to join you. Pennsauken, N.J., Rhode will be held in Iowa City, ask, they won’t know known varieties of fish. Lotte Black at the 2019 NCAA Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas. Island had one of its best per- Iowa, August 13–17. • you’re looking for it. formances in program history. —Shane Donaldson ’99

Simmering the Sea is a collaboration of Eating with the Ecosystem, Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts, and the University of Rhode Island.

12 SUMMER 2019 ILLUSTRATION: LÉA TIRMONT-DESOYEN; PHOTOS: JUSTIN CASTERLINE; MICHAEL SCOTT UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 13 CURRENTS

= SYLLABUS =

Obsessed with RHODE TO A = RHODE TAKEN = DEGREE of Heavy Lifting Game hrones? Mentor BINTOU MARONG ’15 Talent Development It might be making you smarter. advisor Sharon Forleo, One URI professor capitalizes on the show's popularity to help BINTOU MARONG NEVER HAD who “kept it real” her students understand Europe in the Middle Ages. any doubt she would apply to the = University of Rhode Island. The Second moment she stepped foot on campus YEAS NAYS Home she fell in love with its beauty and “I can’t think of URI “DRAGONS DO NOT DO WELL IN Kings have power. Chief among the Clergy aren’t prominent. GOT includes sense of community. That community without thinking of Talent captivity,” says Game of Thrones scene- show’s successes—social interaction is religious leaders—the septons—but they molded her as a student and set her Development, because stealer Tyrion Lannister, known for being based on conflict and linked to power. don’t play a large role. In the Middle Ages, on a path of caring for others as a my TD community witty, wise—and often drunk. When asked Medieval kings and their lords held the every ruler had a council of clergymen. nurse. “URI built confidence in me,” was my support.” how he knows this, his reply—made with power to make laws, levy taxes, enlist Clergy were everywhere.” she says. “Think big is the motto— = wine in hand—is: “That’s what I do. I drink armies. GOT depicts this accurately. You Tears are in short supply. “In the Middle and I’m living by it.” Career and I know things.” see “independent states still owing their Ages, everyone was crying. A good ser- Marong, who immigrated from Inspiration allegiance to the king of the Iron Throne.” Gambia at age 10, enjoyed an exten- But making medieval history as vivid and mon brought tears. I think what GOT does Her mother, aunt, and sive support network. In the Talent uncle were all nurses. memorable as the popular HBO series Widows are important. In the 14th cen- is take a modern view. Modern people Development (TD) program, she was While a student at URI, requires a little more than that. Professor tury, Isabella of France, aka the She-Wolf don’t want to know that knights were guided by advisor Sharon Forleo and Marong worked as a Joëlle Rollo-Koster reasons that if her of France, ruled after overthrowing her always crying.” her colleagues. Forleo retired in 2016 certified nursing assistant HIS 304 students can follow the shifting husband, Edward II (who was eventually There are castles without moats. “As a but remains in touch with Marong to alongside her mother. alliances in GOT, they can understand the murdered). “She would be a good Cersei true medievalist, I get upset when I see offer advice or a kind ear. And = dynastic intricacies of the Middle Ages. Lannister. Widowhood was when women castle walls but no moats.” Marong counts as close friends fellow Big “Who’s married to whom, why alliances had the most freedom in medieval times.” nursing students she met during TD’s Opportunity are created, who’s allied with whom The world is static. No technological or A Jon Snow can get ahead. Primo- summer program just before her first The Carol A. Ghiloni against whom,” she says, “This is the juice social advances, little political change— geniture—inheritance by the oldest year at URI. She also knows she can Oncology Nursing of history.” the Starks have ruled the North for thou- son—protected family land and power in call on her former nursing professors Fellowship at sands of years. “It is interesting that in the Massachusetts Based on George R.R. Martin’s books, GOT the Middle Ages. But illegitimate children for references or guidance—personal fantasy genre there is a kind of idolization General Hospital is credited with energizing the field of could rise up. William the Conqueror, for an unchanging world. We are a society or professional. “I thought I would medieval studies. But the show is “the = aka William the Bastard, who conquered that runs fast, but here we are admiring a get my degree and get out,” she says. work of fantasy writers,” Rollo-Koster says. England in 1066, was the Jon Snow of “But years later I’m still in touch with Scholarships fictional world stuck in immobility.” • A.T. Anderson To separate fact from fiction, we asked her his day. “If the oldest son died, the bastard all these people.” Memorial Scholarship to rule on GOT’s historical fidelity. Here are could do very well for himself.” —Tony LaRoche ’95 It certainly helped that her nursing Bintou Marong '15 outside The Miriam Hospital in • Hardge/Forleo Grant her yeas and nays. clinicals consisted of only about 10 Honor matters. GOT depicts a violent Providence, Rhode Island, where she works as a cardiac • Paul J. Kervick students, allowing personalized inter- nurse. This fall, she will begin Duke University's Doctor world of loyalty to oath and homage to a Family Scholarship action among students, faculty, and of Nursing Practice program. king, who can confiscate the land of Endowment patients. Meanwhile, a prestigious nobles who defy him—all very medieval. = fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital from URI. Hospitals quickly extended job Senior Honors allowed her to apply classroom skills in a real- offers, and Marong now works as a cardiac Project world setting with a caseload of patients. nurse at The Miriam Hospital in Rhode The Weight of Gender — EXPERIENCING GOT WITHDRAWAL? HIS 304 • WESTERN EUROPE IN THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES Between her studies and nursing rotations, Island. She was accepted to Duke University’s how women powerlifters PROFESSOR JOËLLE ROLLO-KOSTER Marong joined URI’s Honors Program. She competitive Doctor of Nursing Practice pro- and body-builders Now that the series has ended, you could found herself in classes with unique topics—like gram for fall 2019. She has her sights set on defy traditional ideas binge watch all eight seasons...again. But This hands-on course delves into Students are encouraged to visit the medieval of femininity why not try branching out? Visit the medi- the social, economic, political, collections at local museums, including: reality television. And she combined her love of working in sports medicine. eval collection at your local art museum, or cultural, and religious history • Worcester Art Museum powerlifting with an academic study of gender “URI was an opportunity I would not = of Europe from the 11th to the to produce a senior Honors project entitled, have had back home,” Marong says. “URI has URI Degree grab a book about the Middle Ages. One of • Boston Museum of Fine Arts Professor Rollo-Koster's favorites is Terry 14th century. Students learn “The Weight of Gender.” so many resources. There’s opportunity. You B.S. ’15 nursing, cum • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston) Jones' Medieval Lives. Best known as part of to ask historical questions rather Her combined experiences produced an just have to take it.” • laude, with a minor in the Monty Python comedy group, Jones also than simply memorize history. • RISD Museum (Providence) impressive resume by the time she graduated —Chris Barrett ’08 thanatology has a Ph.D. in medieval history from Oxford.

14 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 15 CURRENTS

= ASK OUR BIG THINKERS = I Just Found a Tick. Now What? = QUAD ANGLES = It’s summertime. When the day ends, you’ve likely spent some time outside. Maybe you worked outside or had dinner on the deck. Perhaps you Embracing the Limits of Objectivity hiked or took a walk with your dog. Now there’s a tick on your arm. By Sunshine Menezes URI’s "TickGuy," Professor Thomas Science is objective and neutral, right? Maybe not, says Sunshine Menezes. By acknowledging Mather, is ready to help. Director of the our human subjectivity, we can move toward finding ways to counterbalance it—by creating TickEncounter Resource Center, and more diverse scientific teams, for example. And given the gravity of some of the real co-creator of its popular TickEncounter problems we face today, such as climate change, there’s no time to wait. website, here’s his expert advice. If you find a tick on yourself or some- I WAS TAUGHT THAT SCIENCE IS is quoted and how the story is presented. the impossibility of complete objectivity. one else, follow these steps: objective and neutral. As I began my The issue that deserves discussion Each of us has much to learn from people • Disinfect the bite area with rubbing career, I proudly championed scientific among scientists, engineers, and the pub- with different perspectives than our own, alcohol before removing the tick. objectivity in my work with policymakers, lic is how researchers’ own biases can and there is ample evidence that diverse advocates, and journalists, rebuffing their affect our questions, our methods, and scientific teams are more productive and • Using pointy tweezers, grab the tick at agendas in favor of my the conclusions we draw from our data, creative. Researchers are identifying ways or just above the head and pull firmly facts. But I was missing and how recognizing those biases can to “co-create” knowledge with communi- but slowly upward to avoid breaking the part of the picture. make our work better and stronger. ties, asking questions about cultural tick. Remember, regular household I’m a scientist Awareness of scientific bias with relevance and interpretation, and consid- tweezers aren’t the right tool for and, to be clear, regard to those who are discriminated ering how to communicate more inclu- removing ticks. Use pointy tweezers. I categorically against is critical. One of the most egre- sively. Metcalf Institute organized the • Disinfect the bite area again with believe in the gious examples of scientific malfeasance #InclusiveSciComm Symposium last year, rubbing alcohol. value of science. is the Tuskegee syphilis study, a 40-year the nation’s first conference devoted to Scientific inquiry assault upon African American men con- discussing these issues in the context of • Save the tick so that you can identify advances our ducted from 1932 to 1972 by the U.S. science communication. The demand was and, if necessary, have it tested for dis- understanding of government. The study was touted by the so great that we will hold the symposium ease. Not every tick is carrying disease, the world and makes U.S. Public Health Service as free health again this September. but any tick could be. It’s important our lives infinitely better. care to African American men to treat Acknowledging the limits of our to correctly identify any tick found But I’ve learned that science is not the “bad blood,” a catchall term that included objectivity might feel disorienting to biting you. purely and consistently objective, value- syphilis, anemia, and fatigue. In fact, the scientists—and to journalists, too—who neutral undertaking I once imagined. study was designed to observe the pro- hold this as a basic tenet. But this limita- For information and help Maybe I’ve lived long enough to see that gression of syphilis, with no intention of tion is part of our humanity. It’s universal. Prevent and Avoid Ticks identifying the tick, and nothing—not even science—is as clear- treating the participants, even after a cure As we face the massive scale and com- directions for testing, go to cut as I once believed, and to recognize became available in 1947. But not all plexity of current issues, such as climate Treat your yard, Protect your pets Perform daily tick Learn what kinds tickencounter.org the shades of gray that our experiences examples of scientific bias are so mali- change and the life-altering ethical ques- clothing, and with tick repellent checks on yourself, of ticks are active and biases bring to every thought we cious or obvious. tions of genetic engineering, it is high shoes with tick and vaccinate your children, and where you live, have. A contemporary example of uncon- time that we accept our subjectivity and repellent. them against your pets. and which ones Video at uri.edu/magazine We live in an important cultural scious bias concerns artificial intelligence commit ourselves to the effort of doing Lyme disease. transmit disease. moment—the very concept of objectivity (AI). AI uses computer algorithms to the hard, valuable, and necessary work is under scrutiny from many sides, partic- illuminate patterns in massive data sets— in front of us—undeterred, and even ularly with regard to science and journal- patterns that inform many aspects of our strengthened by an awareness of the ism. While some who question objectivity lives, including health care, banking, and limitations of our objectivity. • Some of the most commonly found ticks in the Northeast do so for personal gain (politicians, most hiring decisions. While computers do notably), this line of questioning shouldn’t the heavy lifting in this work, humans set Sunshine Menezes, Ph.D. ’05 is the be discounted. History shows that one the process in motion, which can allow executive director of URI’s Metcalf Institute person’s “objective truth” may not corre- researchers’ biases to influence the analyses for Marine and Environmental Reporting spond with another’s. And even the best through the initial questions they pose. and clinical associate professor of environ- Adult male Adult female Adult male Adult female Adult male Adult female journalism amplifies (or reduces) atten- Scientists and engineers can start to mental communication in the College of Blacklegged or deer tick Lone Star tick American dog tick tion to particular facts by virtue of who address these inequities by recognizing the Environment and Life Sciences.

16 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; JOE GIBLIN UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 17 GotHere, student Lauren Blue Poirier explains blue mind. Mind? On the pages that follow, writer Marybeth Reilly-McGreen dives into our cover story, introducing you to some of URI’s bluest minds.

uthor Wallace J. Nichols defines observable. The surface of a body of water blue mind as “a mildly medita- is largely static, inducing relaxation in the tive state characterized by peace- beholder. But when there is a disruption fulness, unity, and a sense of on the surface of the water (a ripple or a general happiness and satisfaction with life wave) the change triggers the production in the moment.” He distinguishes it from of dopamine in our brains. And since red mind, which neuroscientist Catherine human beings know the nature of a body Franssen describes as an “edgy high, char- of water is to move and change—and then acterized by stress, anxiety, fear, and maybe revert to its original shape—our brains even a little bit of danger and despair.” experience “regularity without monotony” Water is a shortcut to happiness, —a condition the brain craves. Nichols argues, and blue mind is what The sensation of feeling relaxed near we experience when we spend time by or in water is something many of us have the sea, a pond, a river, or just luxuriating experienced, and people have recognized in a long bath. the profound effect water has on our Psychologists, biologists, neurologists, health and well-being for centuries. But researchers, surfers, fishers, swimmers, why is this so? Through a variety of disci- and beachgoers alike agree that there is plines—biology, neuroscience, psychol- just something restorative and peaceful ogy, anthropology, economics, and about spending time in or near water. In more—and a variety of research methods Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That and technologies, Nichols provides Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under insights and answers to this complicated Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, question. More Connected, and Better at What Here at URI, the ocean is a part of who You Do, Nichols delves into the science we are. On the following pages, you’ll behind this phenomenon. He argues that meet URI scientists who personify the our brains are wired to distinguish rele- essence of blue mind. The ocean is their vant from irrelevant information—an home, and, because they’ve discovered evolutionary trait initially meant to pro- that it connects them to something tect us from impending danger. In the greater than themselves, they’re commit- case of water, this phenomenon is easily ted to caring for it. • —Lauren Poirier

Lauren Poirier ’21 is majoring in English and public relations and is an intern in URI’s Marketing and Communications Department.

18 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: BRANDON FULLER UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 19 BlueFor these URI scientists, the Mindsocean is their workplace, their playground, their sacred space. And their love of the sea is a net gain for science, engineering, and the environment. Maybe even humanity itself. By Marybeth Reilly-McGreen

“The ocean is home to o hear Alexandra Moen ’15 It also provided Moen with a teachable but all of these me. And as wild as it describe it, seeing spider crabs moment beyond the scope of the day’s things have grown molt is kind of like watching a diving lesson. and you start to see sounds, I've never been Burning Man event underwater: “When you put yourself in an environ- all these tiny, little baby fish so certain about It’s a large-scale spectacle. When spider ment like that, you’re certainly connected darting out of the eelgrass in the something in my life.” crabs molt, they aggregate, climbing one with nature, and you develop a greater shallows, and you’re like, ‘Ah, this atop another, creating mounds that can appreciation for protecting its resources,” is beautiful.’ —Alexandra Moen, URI Diving expand to nearly 100 meters long, accord- Moen continues. “The connection we can “You also see balloons, empty chip bags, Safety Officer ing to BBC Earth’s Blue Planet II. create by bringing students directly into six-pack rings, and fishing line. It’s one of Happier, Healthier, More Connected, Moen witnessed the spectacle first- this underwater environment—I mean, the greatest perks about my job that I can and Better at What You Do, author and hand several years ago. While diving with there’s no better way to understand what’s break that disassociation that we have— scientist Wallace J. Nichols argues that her students in the waters off Taylor Point going on.” that what we do to the environment doesn’t people like Moen who’ve experienced on the east side of Jamestown, Rhode What exactly is going on? matter,” Moen says. “I can show students “blue mind”—an at-homeness in the Island, they came upon a molting. “What “You see seasons underwater. You see that it does matter; I literally submerge environment, in general, and the ocean, we saw was massive. Probably a 6-foot-tall this incredible fluctuation of productivity them in an environment where they can in particular—should share that experi- ball of thousands of spider crabs,” she with life. In the winter, everything gets see the effect of that thinking. ence with others—for the good of human- recalls. “They were shedding their exo- really quiet and you tend to have nicer “You just have to make the connection.” kind and the planet. skeletons for yards and yards. All visibility visibility,” Moen says. “Come summer, In the book, Blue Mind: The Surprising “Our deepest, most primordial emo- was taken up by spider crabs molting. It nutrients in the water start getting a little Science That Shows How Being Near, tions drive virtually every decision we just blew my mind.” heavier and your visibility goes down, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You make, from what we buy to the candidates PHOTO: AYLA FOX 20 SUMMER 2019 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 21 we elect,” Nichols writes. “We need to tell a story that helps people explore and understand the profound and ancient emotional and sensual connections that “Change starts with having a personal lead to a deeper relationship with water. environmental ethic, and that ethic is to “The Blue Mind story seeks to recon- do no harm. Take care of what you have.” nect people to nature in ways that make —Richard C. Rhodes III, Executive Director, Northeastern them feel good, and shows them how Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment water can help them become better ver- Station Directors and former Associate Dean, Research, sions of themselves.” College of the Environment and Life Sciences Nowadays, Moen’s blue mind finds its expression in surfing as well as diving. “What attracted me to the sport more than anything was how hard it looked. What better way to be both at Rick Rhodes ponders the waves at Point Judith Lighthouse in Narragansett, Rhode Island. “When you surf,” says Rhodes, “the home and to be challenged than surf- power of the ocean just surges under your feet.” ing?” Moen says. “I am learning things every single time I paddle out. My god, does it humble me. “But, I am a strong believer in the benefit of experiencing all of these ichard C. “Rick” Rhodes III a gash that ran from the bridge of his nose change, saltwater inundation in soil, things. In a world where everyday tasks figures he’s been surfing for to the middle of his forehead, arching nutrient-deficient land: These are just are becoming simplified and less chal- 50 years, three to four days a over his left eyebrow. It required seven some of the issues we face in the near lenging, we are losing what it means to week. “As frequently as there stitches. future, he says. And then there’s pollution. be part of something bigger than our- are waves,” he says. “But when I tell the story, seven Every year, approximately 9 million tons selves,” Moen continues. “Something we How much does Rhodes love the stitches grows to 70,” Rhodes quips. “The of plastic waste enter the ocean, according cannot control or simplify. For me that ocean? Sit a spell. And fair warning: Surf- worst day of surfing is better than the best to a May 2019 National Geographic article, is nature, and, more specifically, surfing. ing stories are like fish stories. With each of a whole lot of other things. Even if you “Little Pieces, Big Problems.” It has helped me become more confi- telling they grow more epic. get skunked, you’re still in the water.” How to change things? dent and proud of myself. Rhodes had just returned from a work While he is quick to point out that he “Change starts with having a personal Pride, amazement, wonder, joy, hap- trip to Morocco, where he’d surfed intense came to URI for his career—“The really environmental ethic, and that ethic is to piness, peace, respect, awe, protective- waves. “I returned to winter in Rhode strong attraction was the job”—Rhodes do no harm. Take care of what you have,” ness: Such are the feelings and emotions Island and these puny, little waves about considers the Atlantic to be quite the job Rhodes says. “We were taught as graduate URI professors and staff speak of when head-high in Matunuck,” Rhodes recalls. perk. students to be unimpassioned observers talking about their beloved ocean and “A wave caught me right in the back and “What I enjoy is being able to tap that of science. But your job—as a scientist, as the influence it exerts in their work—and I started falling down. The wind caught source and utilize the power of the ocean an educator—is to provide a context for lives—in ways big, small, and surprising. my board and it hit my head.” for pure, unadulterated fun. It’s unlike data. You are also responsible for provid- Rhodes blacked out. When he came to, anything else. That thing that you’re rid- ing environmental literacy. Alex Moen emerges from a dive while he saw a trail of black in the water. Blood. ing is moving, and you’re moving in a dif- “We are all caretakers in this, and we teaching a class at URI's Narragansett Bay Other surfers were yelling, asking if he ferent dimension, and that is the coolest all have a stake in this.” Campus. “You see seasons underwater,” says was OK. Rhodes assured them he was fine feeling in the world,” Rhodes says. “The Moen. “You see this incredible fluctuation of productivity with life.” and began paddling in. When he got into power of the ocean just surges under your the car and caught a look at himself in the feet.” mirror, he was stunned. “I looked like I’d The up-close-and-personal relation- been in an axe fight.” ship Rhodes has with the ocean has made Rhodes called his wife, telling her he him an advocate of scientific literacy; was headed to the hospital. He’d likely essentially he wants people to understand need a stitch or two—or so he thought. scientific concepts and processes so they “In the ER, two nurses and the PA on can make informed and ethical decisions duty were surfers. They said, ‘Wow, that’s in their personal and professional lives, as so gnarly. How’d you do that?’” well as at the polls. In his current job, He laughs, still amused that they were Rhodes examines the way we raise food— impressed. Rhodes’ injury was significant: and how much food we raise. Climate

22 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; COURTESY RICK RHODES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 23 Brian Caccioppoli at work on Ninigret Pond, a coastal salt or the past nine years, Emily “Children will stop and cheer “Goals are focused around cognitive, pond in Charlestown, Rhode Clapham ’02, M.S. ’04 has for others when they catch physical, and social gains,” Clapham says. Island. Caccioppoli, an avid directed a surfing program at “Children will stop and cheer for others surfer, says his work mapping Narragansett Town Beach for chil- a wave. They get excited when they catch a wave. They get excited shorelines and seafloor depth dren with disabilities. She is assisted by for each other as they learn for each other as they learn and grow.” is completely intertwined with his love of surfing. “When you student volunteers whose interests range and grow together.” Participants also aren’t held to a single from speech and language to education right way to surf. Some kids want to boo- go out on the water,” he says, —Emily Clapham, Associate Professor, “your brain clears.” and kinesiology. The program—Catching gie board, some stay in the white water. Department of Kinesiology Waves for Health, URI Xtreme Inclu- “One little boy wanted to sit on the board sion—serves children with varying backward to watch the waves,” Clapham degrees of abilities, including Down syn- recalls. drome, autism spectrum disorder, atten- I’m surfing, when I’m experiencing the One of the greatest accomplishments tion deficit hyperactivity disorder, cere- rhythmic motion of the waves.” to be had for the kids Clapham works bral palsy, and developmental delays. Clapham’s work has attracted attention with is the sense that doing such a thing Surfing lessons are free for participants, and funding from such sources as the as surfing earns people’s attention and and student volunteers can get college John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons respect. “It is not an easy activity and credit for their work. In Clapham’s near with Intellectual Disabilities, the Gronk takes strength, patience, and perseverance decade of experience, she has seen surfing Nation Youth Foundation, and the Doug to be successful,” says Clapham. “The and surf therapy have a positive effect on Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. ocean can be very humbling. children’s physiological, social, and emo- And while the benefits are myriad for “Surfing gives them street cred because “The ocean is an almost magnetic thing to people who are drawn to it.” tional responses. Clapham first noted anyone who surfs—improvement in core they’re doing this cool thing—they’re —Brian Caccioppoli, Marine Research Specialist, Graduate School of Oceanography such outcomes in her own mental, emo- and upper-body strength, cardiorespira- surfers,” Clapham says. “They’re actually tional, and physical health, and was eager tory endurance, balance, self-esteem, and out there doing it.” to share the benefits with others. confidence—for children with disabilities, rian Caccioppoli ’11 came to presses on. His stake in this work extends view of the tension that is climate change. “I know I have a clearer head on the these gains are amplified, and other gains URI to study marine biology as beyond the bounds of professionalism. One way climate change manifests itself, water,” Clapham says. “I’m calmer when are also apparent. an undergraduate, but fell in love “I want to know what’s going on and how for instance, is in more frequent and pow- with coastal geology. He studies it will affect what I love to do,” he says. erful storms. Storms produce better surf. climate change, erosion, and other factors “It’s all intertwined for me.” "But climate change could also result in Emily Clapham works with Tessa affecting coastal geography. He works What Caccioppoli loves to do is surf. the disappearance of some of our current Eagan in Catching Waves for with other marine research specialists and He’s been at it for 14 years. Growing up surf breaks," says Caccioppoli. "Quite a Health at Narragansett Beach. lab techs mapping shorelines and seafloor on Long Island, he and his family were at few local surf spots break best at lower Clapham has observed the depth, and surveying the marine life the beach three to five days a week in the tides—Matunuck, for example. We know positive effects of surfing and surf therapy on children in the there. Plainly put, Caccioppoli’s work summer. Surfing was an instant addiction. sea level has risen over the past century program and has experienced monitoring and documenting change “The first wave I caught, I knew I was here in Rhode Island. That trend will it herself: “I’m calmer when provides answers to such questions as in trouble. I knew it was going to change result in higher sea levels, which will I’m surfing,” she says. why and how beaches are altered—by decisions I made on a daily basis,” he inevitably result in changing surf breaks, single events (like storms) and over says. “The first time you get your feet on possibly rendering some nonviable." time—which, in certain cases, places the board and catch a wave, it feels like In talking of his fellow New England Rhode Island in a better position to seek you’re flying. surfers, Caccioppoli characterizes them federal funding. “What I do is pragmatic “When you go out into the water, your as “fully committed” to the sport. In science,” Caccioppoli says. brain clears. You stop focusing on any- observing him talking about his research Pragmatic science can be dishearten- thing other than the pure experience of and his chosen sport, the phrase fits him, ing. For instance, beach replenishment— being on the ocean,” Caccioppoli contin- too. Caccioppoli smiles at the suggestion. adding sand to an eroding shoreline ues. “Your burdens are gone. You come “The ocean is an almost magnetic to reduce storm damage and coastal out and the tasks you have to do don’t thing to people who are drawn to it,” flooding—can feel futile because, says seem so huge. It’s such a mood elevator, he says. Caccioppoli, “It’s not unheard of for a such a stress reliever.” beach to lose a third of replenished sand Yet surfing sometimes grants within just two years.” But Caccioppoli Caccioppoli an up-close-and-personal

24 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; MICHAEL SALERNO UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 25 rennan Phillips ’04, Ph.D. ’16 is “The fluidity of the ocean in the midst of packing up much is comforting to me. The of his deep-sea robotics lab— URI's Undersea Robotics and boundless nature of it. Imaging Laboratory—for a trip. There is It’s amazing.” much to see and wonder at—hardware, —Austin Humphries, Assistant Professor electronics, 3D printers, and computers of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Science, everywhere. Phillips and his group create Department of Fisheries, Animal and complex machines—Phillips calls them Veterinary Sciences “systems”—for oceanographic and deep- sea exploration. To the untrained eye, these systems look like little robots. With their low-light imaging systems, manipu- lators, and lightweight, low-cost technol- ogy, these units are affordable and well- suited for capturing images of remote, unexplored undersea environments. ustin Humphries estimates and talk to people about what they want less nature of it. For the amount of time “We’re trying to push the limits of the he spent about 200 days on done. Then we build from there. I’ve spent around it, for the marine life technology out there now, much of which the water last year—nearly “They’re hard problems, and there’s I’ve had the opportunity to react and is big, heavy, and clunky. We’re trying to seven days a week from May never one answer,” he says. respond to—it’s amazing. make it smaller and lighter,” Phillips says. to September and all of January. The work suits Humphries, a Virginian, “From an intellectual point of view,” An assistant professor of ecosystem- who worked as a fisher in Alaska after Humphries says, “the ocean’s vastness “I never really get away from based fisheries science, Humphries took graduating from college. “I recognize provides perspective on life and problems. my work. That’s how I about 75 research dives last year and cal- and sympathize with the plight of fishers. “And if you look at it the right way, it culates he spent more than 100 hours They face wicked problems.” offers a form of hope.” • operate—by being completely underwater. “I interact and interface with “Wicked” not in the Rhode Island immersed. We're trying the ocean on a daily basis. I fish, surf, sense, but as a descriptor of a problem to push the limits of the dive, and sail.” that is difficult, if not impossible, to solve Austin Humphries studies fisheries ecology technology out there now.” Humphries studies fisheries and because of its interconnectedness with and management in the U.S. and developing coastal management in the United States, other problems. Still, you get the sense nations. Above, he talks to a Ph.D. student on —Brennan Phillips, Assistant Professor as well as in developing countries such as that Humphries is more than content to a boat about site selection for a survey. Below, of Ocean Engineering, Graduate School he dives on a coral reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Kenya, Indonesia, and Ghana. He and his grapple with the impossible and that the of Oceanography to survey fish communities. Humphries makes team collect data on fish populations, sea has more than a little to do with it. note of the “boundless nature” of the ocean. fishers’ catches, and where fish go and “The fluidity of the ocean is comfort- “The marine life I’ve had the opportunity to Phillips learned to surf as an under- how that impacts livelihoods. To do this, ing to me,” Humphries says, “the bound- study, react and respond to—it’s amazing.” graduate at URI. To hear him talk about they compare heavily impacted ecosys- it, surfing seems more another aspect of tems with those that have less of a human his education than simple recreation. fingerprint. With these data, they create “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever tried simulations for fishery managers or fish- to do. I had no idea how hard it was going ers to use in decision-making. This could to be. But I like to be challenged. The access the ocean without disruption. How Brennan Phillips at work in the Solomon mean limiting the number of fish that can first day, I borrowed a board.” The next might one of his small, lighted, bulldozer- Islands, where he was part of a team be caught in an area, or promoting a cer- investigating an unexplored underwater tain type of fishing gear. day, Phillips went to a local surf shop, like machines, for instance, take scientifi- volcano. bought a 9-foot board, and brought it cally accurate photographs of the ocean “We look at the influence or ramifica- home to Peck Hall. floor when its very presence causes tions of different management strategies “My junior and senior years, I got seri- marine life to scatter? and how those strategies translate into ous. It was like joining the mob,” Phillips Like his fellow surfing scientists, fisheries’ catches and well-being,” jokes. “This is my sport. I run, ski, and Phillips’ work and play intertwine. He Humphries says. “It’s a challenge to work bike, but surfing is my number-one favor- talks of the day when all that goes into in places with poor infrastructure, but it ite thing to do in the whole world.” making underwater robots could be can be incredibly rewarding and is often Phillips is a year-round surfer. “I like applied to tailoring fins or wetsuits. at the invitation of fishers and fishery to be in nature. If you pay attention, there Already, there is an Australian robotics lab managers. The first thing I do when start- are days all year-round when there are focused on surfboard design, he notes. ing a research project is go to the place waves. I aspire to get out once a week.” “I never really get away from my Whether in or out of the water, Phillips work,” Phillips notes. “That’s how I thinks about how human beings might operate—by being completely immersed.”

26 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY BRENNAN PHILLIPS; ABBYAN FAIRY; FAKHRIZAL SETIAWAN UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 27 SURFERS OF URI URI students, staff, and faculty are drawn to the ocean to feel its power, channel its beauty and healing qualities, and experience the incomparable thrill of catching a wave. Left to right: marine research specialist Brian Caccioppoli '11, M.S. '15; URI’s student surfers agree that surfing is beyond sport; it’s a way of life. Some are even exploring courses of study Kiran Reed '20; dive safety officer Alexandra Moen '15; associate that incorporate their love of the ocean—and they’re professor of kinesiology Emily Clapham '02, M.S. '04; assistant professor coming up with super-chill big ideas for the future. of ocean engineering Brennan Phillips '04, Ph.D. '16; Laird French '21; Meet them at uri.edu/magazine. Jake Fagan '22. In front, Alexandra Moen’s dog, Arrow.

28 SUMMER 2019 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 29 Peter Panagiotis ’71, better known as Peter Pan, started URI’s Surf Club in 1968. He’s long since become a surfing legend, famous for finding the most out-of-the-way waves. He’s inspired and influenced local surfers through his long-running surf camps and competitions, his radio surf reports, and as the owner of several South County surf shops—but mostly through his infectious love of surfing. Pan lives by the mantra, “Surf first. everything else second.” Surf By Paul Kandarian

ALWAYS IN THE FLOW. Pan catches a perfect ride at one of his favorite spots in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

30 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: JOSHUA ARAUJO UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 31 SK PETER PAN IF THERE’S any better surfing on the planet than the In addition to his work with the URI Surf Narragansett, Rhode Island, waters he Club, Pan helps URI kinesiology professor loves best, and you do so at your own risk. Emily Clapham ’02, M.S. ’04, who runs a surf It’s like asking Santa Claus if he’d live any- therapy program for kids with disabilities, called where but the North Pole. Catching Waves for Health. She’s run it for 10 Pan, who doesn’t gladly suffer foolish ques- years, and Pan has helped since the beginning, tions, says, “Nahhh,” with a disgusted wave of including designing wetsuits that are easier to the hand. And in the nasally, cackling tone he’s get in and out of than standard wetsuits. “That’s famous for, responds, “Narragansett— huge for these kids, some of whom have a hard it’s the best place. People say, ‘Oh, it’s great in time waiting,” Clapham says. “This way, they’re Westerly,’ or, ‘It’s great in in and out of the water much faster.” Newport.’ I tell ’em, ‘OK, Pan also loans boards and gear to the kids’ if it’s so good in Westerly parents and caretakers when they want to get and Newport, terrific; stay into the water with their kids. there. Just stay the hell “Without question, Peter’s an integral part of out of Narragansett; it’s the success of our program,” says Clapham. crowded enough as it is.” “He’ll come and watch from afar and then call Studying in the then- me up later to give me advice on what board new art program at URI would work better for each child. And on the back in the day, Pan so last day of the program, when we give out med- loved surfing that he als, he’s the one handing them out.” started the University’s As to his overall legend, Clapham says, “He first Surf Club, still in just loves surfing and wants to share the stoke existence, though its with everybody.” “I knew how to surf when I got to URI, but VINTAGE VIBES. activity fluctuates from his influence on me was mainly just seeing him Some early ’70s classics from Pan's scrapbooks. Above, Pan and friend, Mario Frade, at the 1971 URI Winter Surf Contest. year to year. RACHEL MCCARTY ’10 WAS PRESIDENT on the water. He’s amazing, always stoked,” Below, Pan's Volkswagen Beetle—which doubled as a board “I started it in ’68,” of the URI Surf Club from 2009–2010, and vice McCarty says. “And it’s a miracle if you can see caddy—at Monahan's dock. That's Pan out there on the waves. Pan says. “We started president before that. Growing up in the Wash- him at all, because he’s always finding these out- competitions with other ington, D.C., area, McCarty, whose parents of-the-way spots where the best surf is. Just clubs, and I still run con- attended URI for graduate school, had heard of spotting him is almost magical.” tests for them every once Pan before she came to Rhode Island. Pan’s daughter, Tricia Panagiotis ’01, who in a while.” “Peter’s great,” says McCarty, who learned to now runs Narragansett Surf & Skate Shop, is Never one to mince surf as a youngster back home. “He’s always understandably one of her dad’s biggest fans. words, Pan fought for been so good to the URI kids. We’d go to his “It’s great having your dad around all the money to kick off the shop, Narragansett Surf & Skate Shop, and pick time, surfing with him,” she says. “I remember URI Surf Club, using a his brain, and he’d give us breaks on gear.” at 13, it was like minus 17 one day. I had ice on nifty bit of logic. If not for the URI Surf Club, says McCarty, my suit, and Dad’s out there with me, all “He just loves “I remember going to now soft goods buyer for The Kayak Centre of pumped up. He gets so excited; you can’t help the Student Senate and fighting for money, and Rhode Island in Wickford, “I don’t think I’d but catch it.” surfing and wants finding out they gave out like 400 bucks for rope have made it past my first year of school.” To look at Pan the man is to feel jealous that to share the stoke for the mountain-climbing club,” Pan recalls. “I She had applied to another college, her first someone pushing 70 can look so good. Pan with everybody.” said, ‘Hey, you gave 400 bucks for rope, you can choice, but didn’t get in. She came to URI, she shrugs at the compliment, admitting, “Hey, I’m give us 400 bucks for trophies. We always got says, “kinda bummed out, but my dad said, ‘Go an old fart now.” ­ —Emily Clapham ’02, money after that.” for a year.’” He feels his age from time to time, especially M.S. ’04, Professor of Manhattan-born, Pan was Rhode Island- She soon discovered the URI Surf Club. when he teaches fitness classes all day and then Kinesiology and Director, raised, coming here as a baby with his Greek McCarty says the club, along with waves to surf surfs. Catching Waves for Health parents. He took up surfing as a kid, and at 69 is almost literally right outside her door, “made a “If I was smart, I’d surf first and then teach,” still a kid at heart: He works when he has to, huge difference in my life. I stayed at URI, he says in that nasally chuckle. “I tell ya though, teaching mostly fitness classes or snowboarding loved it, and haven’t left the state since.” if the waves are good, I do go surfing, and then or whatever pays the bills. But every spare Make no mistake, she says, the Power of Pan teach class. Then I’m just dead at night, but who moment, he’s out on the water. is quite real. cares. I’m surfing, that’s all that matters.” •

32 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; COURTESY PETER PANAGIOTIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 33 Otto struck up a conversation with two Classical Languages and Literatures. The the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germans. When they learned she was department sets ambitious goals for the spent part of her childhood in the from the United States, they were level of proficiency students attain, and it Kpomassé refugee camp in Benin. Like surprised—her German was so good, they fosters a culture of immersion on campus. many children in West Africa, Malambi didn’t peg her as a foreigner. “That was a The language department has become a learned French in school. She spoke real highlight for me because I had started diverse international enclave on campus Swahili and Lingala at home, and the in German 101 my first year, and my where students from different continents camp brought together people from a fluency improved so much,” she says. and cultural traditions converge, converse, variety of nations. She understands some and find new ways of seeing the world. Kikongo, Fon, and Mina and can even Raising the Bar And they’ve earned some recognition speak a few words. “We had to use for this approach. In a recent New York language to connect to each other, so it Increasing numbers of URI students are Times opinion piece, Bénédicte de Mont- was something we just picked up without adding a second language to their list of laur, the cultural counselor of the French learning it formally,” she says. Malambi achievements, and an institution-wide Embassy in the United States, argues that continues to seek language as a way to commitment to fluency and excellence is Americans should be creating opportuni- connect at URI, where she majors in preparing them for a multicultural, inter- ties for students to learn other languages, political science and French and is also national workplace. not slashing those opportunities. And she studying Chinese. “I am interested in “Our goal is to build a high level of cites URI among the universities that have international human rights, particularly language proficiency and cultural compe- “restructured programs to emphasize the on the continent of Africa. French is tence so that students are prepared to ability to work, socialize, and research spoken in many nations there, and China study abroad,” says Karen de Bruin, chair across languages.” has been investing widely in Africa over of the Department of Modern and Cynthia Malambi ’20, originally from the past decade,” she says.

t Emily Hadfield ’18 completed the Chinese International Business Program and is currently in Beijing, China, finishing the Chinese Flagship Program. She took this photo during a 2017 summer immersion program. While there, she traveled to the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, where she experienced a unique and vibrant sect of Chinese culture, riding camels The Internationalists in the desert and living in a yurt in the grasslands outside the capital city of Hohhot. } By Laurel McLaughlin ’92 URI has become a unique training ground for students immersing themselves in language s These students and recent grads all studied language with another and culture and tackling some of the world’s discipline. Left to right: Alison Otto ’18, German International Engineering toughest problems. Program; Richard Lisi ’18, kinesiology and Italian; Africa Smith ’18, dual major in Africana studies and political science, minor in justice, law, and society, and studied Spanish; Meredith Shubel ’18, Imagine standing in a small, crowded the furrowed expression of strained atten- communications and French; alimentari, a specialty grocery shop some- tion people get when they discover you Cynthia Malambi ’20, political science where in Tuscany. The air is dense with don’t really speak their language. and French; Sandra Deeb ’20, French International Engineering Program. the earthy smell of cured prosciutto and URI language students likely never see salami, and you’re dying to sample some The Face. with a hunk of salty, freshly baked schiac- Alison Otto ’18, a graduate of the ciata bread. German International Engineering Pro- Your Italian isn’t half bad. Now it’s just gram, was working on an internship at a a question of ordering. You rehearse, company near Stuttgart, Germany, when break apart, and rearrange the words in she met up with friends from URI for the your head. You need to get the pronuncia- annual Wasen spring festival. In the tion just right so the proprietor doesn’t impromptu community of strangers gath- make The Face. If you’ve ever struggled ered around the communal tables drink- with language proficiency, you’ve seen it: ing beer, singing, and sharing stories,

34 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS, AYLA FOX; EMILY HADFIELD UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 35 t Africa Smith ’18 snapped this most valuable part was living with people colleges and universities fell by 9.2 percent photo upon arriving in Cuba for a who weren’t from America—and learning between 2013 and 2016. At URI the oppo- 2017 J-Term class, Dynamics of new things from them every day.” She site is true. For the same period at URI, Social Change in Cuba (PSC 415). “The old-school red car pulled up noticed that most of her friends spoke at the number of students majoring in lan- next to us, playing loud, least two languages. “It is much more com- guages grew from 511 to 655, a 28 percent traditional music, and the driver mon for people to speak two or even three increase. Now one of the largest language began talking to our driver, a languages in other countries,” she adds. programs in the nation, the department friend of his,” says Africa. “This has increased the number of languages was my first time leaving the offered, and the number of students pur- country and using my passport. Visionary Programs My Spanish skills—learned from suing joint majors, double majors, or my mother, who is from Costa Owing, in part, to the success of their minors has grown considerably. Rica, were minimal, but this trip programs, the language department Another key to the boom in language made me want to explore the has grown during a time when other uni- study at URI is the high level of collabora- language more, so I took Spanish versities are scaling back or even cutting classes when I returned to URI. tion between colleges and departments to The trip also gave me a greater certain languages. According to surveys create interdisciplinary programs with a perspective on global blackness conducted by the Modern Language global focus. With the founding of the and on being Afro-Latina.” Association, course enrollments in International Engineering Program more languages other than English at U.S. than 30 years ago, URI created a successful

t Professor of Geosciences Thomas Boving took this photo during a 2018 J-Term class in Indonesia, which introduces students to the culture, natural resources, environment, and geology of this developing Asian nation. During the class, students explore Mount Ijen, an active volcano in Java. The climb begins at 2 a.m.—so the students can see the spectacular sunrise at the rim of the crater. They climb down into the crater wearing gas masks to protect them from the noxious gases inside. This photo shows two students at the edge of the lake at the bottom of the crater. Filled with dangerously acidic water, the turquoise lake, which is partially visible through the gases in this photo, is deceptively beautiful.

“Language is a medium that helps people become more self-aware, and it has the A Community of Richard Lisi ’18, a kinesiology gradu- and connecting with people there would power to transmit values ate enrolling at Rutgers Robert Wood add something to her education. But she across generations.” Interwoven Cultures Johnson Medical School this fall, studied was surprised by how much she con- — Richard Lisi ’18 This generation of students at URI has the Italian language and culture because nected to her own culture. “I didn’t expect } tapped into international education as a it’s an important part of his heritage. to see so many people who looked like way to connect who they are and what “Language is a medium that helps people me,” she says. She enjoyed learning about they want to do in the world. become more self-aware, and it has the the Afro-Cuban music tradition and see- Donna Gamache-Griffiths, director of power to transmit values across genera- ing how different groups within the Afri- the International Business Program, says tions,” he says. It also enriches his per- can diaspora express their culture. URI’s strength lies in embracing global spective on his chosen field. “It will help When Smith mentored other students, diversity. “The University has done so me be more open to the diverse needs of she encouraged them to consider a trip much to support the internationalization my patients,” Lisi says. “Learning another abroad as part of their college experience. of our programs and make them accessi- language gives people a cross-cultural “Sometimes it’s hard to see yourself in a ble for our students. We have forged con- empathy.” place at first,” she says. “I want to make a nections and partnerships with colleges Africa Smith ’18, who graduated with space for myself.” and universities around the world and a dual major in Africana studies and Meredith Shubel ’18, a communica- added a global component to our curri- political science and a minor in justice, tions and French major, agrees that study- cula campus-wide,” she says. “The diver- law, and society, grew up speaking Eng- ing abroad is something everyone should sity of our community is a tremendous lish, but her mother, who was born in consider. During her study-abroad expe- asset. Many of our students grow up Costa Rica, is bilingual. Smith chose to rience in France, she met students from speaking another language in addition to participate in a J-Term program in Cuba France, Australia, Mexico, and Poland, English, and we value that knowledge.” because she knew that speaking Spanish among others. “For me,” says Shubel, the

36 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: AFRICA SMITH: TOM BOVING UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 37 s Caitlyn Picard ’18 majored in model that many institutions follow. discipline. Students in the International Uniquely Prepared to friends from around the world and work- English and journalism. She These signature international programs Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and ing on mastering Spanish and Russian. “When you study another traveled to Rome with Professor share key features, including the develop- Design Program can choose either Italian Help Change the World Sandra Deeb ’20, a French IEP student, culture, you see the world Daniel Carpenter and his Myths of Rome (CLA 396) J-Term class in ment of a high level of language mastery or French. The International Pharmaceu- How will URI’s language students apply believes that learning a language is impor- from that perspective, and it January 2017. They visited the ruins and a full year spent abroad to study and tical Sciences Program offers a dual what they’ve learned? Cynthia Malambi tant because it makes us care about each helps you treat the world with of the Roman Forum and the grave work at internships. degree in pharmaceutical sciences will promote human rights and help other more. “When you study another an equal level of respect.” site of Julius Caesar. When the sun The international engineering, busi- (B.S.P.S.) and in French, German, or amplify the voices of refugees throughout culture, you see the world from that per- began to set, Picard was moved — Sandra Deeb ’20 ness, and computer science programs now Italian (B.A.). This year, a new Interna- the world. Africa Smith will empower spective, and it helps you treat the world by the beauty of the site and the } history it held, capturing the offer language tracks in German, French, tional Studies and Diplomacy Program communities of color and connect them with an equal level of respect,” she says. moment with this photo. Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. The launches, with language tracks in German, to opportunities around them. Alison Deeb has a strong will to do good in “There is inherent value in the study Chinese Flagship Program challenges stu- French, Spanish, Italian, and Chinese. Otto will create clean, renewable energy the world, and the field of ocean engi- of the humanities,” says Sigrid Berka, dents to achieve superior language profi- Students follow a rigorous course of systems. Richard Lisi will be an empa- neering interests her because of the executive director of the International ciency and a B.A. in Mandarin Chinese as language study within the context of their thetic healer and enjoy long conversations potential for discovering new forms of Engineering Program. “The liberal arts well as a bachelor’s degree in a chosen major, learning through language and with his Italian-born grandfather. As a renewable energy. Her family came to the foundation students receive by learning field. It is one of only 12 programs in the building vocabulary specific to that disci- technical writer for a Rhode Island PR United States from Syria. “In that part of the language, the literature, and the United States in which students can start pline. They also master the practical firm, Meredith Shubel is already helping the world, ongoing conflicts are often perspective of another culture builds not with no knowledge of Chinese and prog- details of living and working in another to educate people in emerging technolo- related to fossil fuel. Working on sustain- only intellectual skills like critical think- ress to a professional level of proficiency culture—and even how to order a sand- gies, like infrared sensors for autonomous able forms of energy is one way that I can ing and novel approaches to problem- while earning a second degree in another wich without embarrassing themselves. vehicles. She is also staying in touch with help,” she says. solving, but also empathy and altruism.” •

38 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: CAITLYN PICARD UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 39 URI's connection with Mystic Aquarium affords one-of-a-kind opportunities for URI students , flippers and alumni. FinsAND FINDING A The University of Rhode Island and observer on an icebreaker off the Mystic Aquarium, in nearby Mystic, coast of Alaska, in small planes off Connecticut, have forged a special the Georgia coast, and on a dredge off relationship. At Mystic Aquarium, you’ll the New Jersey coast. Her desire to work DREAM JOB find URI alumni in a variety of roles and with marine mammals never waned. A beluga dives, displaying its distinctive tail flukes. By Todd McLeish URI students working on internships. She eventually landed her dream job There’s an upper-level undergraduate at Mystic Aquarium’s Arctic Coast and seminar on marine mammals taught at Pacific Northwest exhibit. She spends employees who care for the animals, the aquarium, and a URI faculty member every day with beluga whales, harbor educate the public, and ensure that visi- doing important research on beluga whale seals, Steller sea lions and northern fur tors have the best experience possible. reproduction. Ask any of them what they seals. She couldn’t be happier. Five URI alumni serve as marine love about their work at Mystic, and “It’s so great to be here,” Bruscato said. mammal trainers at Mystic: Bruscato, they’ll tell you it’s the exposure to the “It takes a lot of hard work to get here, Jen Rock ’06, Lindsey Nelson ’06, Alycia animals and the one-of-a-kind chance to there’s a lot of competition, and it defi- Coulumbe ’16, and Rachael DesFosses ’15. do rewarding work. nitely takes a lot of dedication to make In most cases, the animals are not sure everything runs smoothly for the trained to perform or entertain guests. DREAM JOB animals. And a lot of teamwork. But I’ve Instead, trainers help the animals learn When Allie Seifter Bruscato ’11 was a been here for five years and hope to con- how to work with staff and veterinarians child growing up in Brooklyn, she often tinue my career here.” who are responsible for monitoring their visited the New York Aquarium, and she Bruscato is one of many URI students, health. For example, Bruscato spent time quickly decided that she wanted to pursue faculty, and alumni who have benefited this winter and spring helping a 19-year- a career as a marine mammal trainer. It’s from a unique partnership between URI old harbor seal learn how to get an X-ray. why she decided to study marine biology and Mystic Aquarium. Some have “I’m responsible for all of his hus- enrolled in a URI class taught entirely bandry behaviors, his diet, and his overall Allie Seifter Bruscato ’11 works closely with at the University of Rhode Island. many of Mystic’s marine mammals, including As a student at URI, she dived in at the aquarium, while others have con- health care,” Bruscato says. “Now he this beluga whale. Below left, one of Mystic’s Honduras with the Scuba Club and ducted research there or served as interns knows how to go on the radiograph plate Steller sea lions; Below right, Mystic has a researched stingrays and endangered in any one of a dozen different aquarium and he allows our vets to scan his body diverse display of jellyfish, including these North Atlantic right whales. After gradua- departments. A lucky few—today that with a light. He’s ready for that procedure blue blubber jellies. Below, facing page, the number is eight—work as permanent whenever he needs it.” aquarium entrance welcomes more than tion, she worked as a marine mammal 800,000 visitors each year.

40 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY MYSTIC AQUARIUM UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 41 Steller sea lions are among the largest species to call Mystic home. Just as in the wild, Mystic’s sea lions eat a diet of fish and invertebrates, such as squid; below left, coral on display; below right, northern fur seal pups haul out for a rest.

THE COOLEST CLASS Most URI students who get to “My biggest role is overseeing the experience Mystic Aquarium assignments where students are chal- behind the scenes do so when they lenged to dig into the scientific literature enroll in Seminar on Marine Mam- and learn how to evaluate articles and mals (AVS 440), an upper-level understand how they can be applied to course held entirely at the aquarium. marine mammal conservation and man- The class was first taught more than agement,” he says. 35 years ago in collaboration with the In addition to the weekly lectures, University of Connecticut, but today students get a behind-the-scenes tour of more than 90 percent of the students the aquarium and go on a whale watch. enrolled are from URI, primarily those majoring in marine biology and animal science. Co-taught by postdoctoral fellow The Seminar on Marine Justin Richard, Ph.D. ’16, who worked at Mammals at Mystic “was the the aquarium as a beluga whale trainer coolest thing I did at URI.” before earning his doctorate at URI, and Mary Ellen Mateleska, director of conser- — Rachael DesFosses ’15 vation programs at the aquarium, it fea- tures weekly guest speakers from around “That class was the coolest thing I did professionals from the field, it showed me program at the aquarium, which gave a harbor seal—continues through August the country discussing such topics as dol- at URI,” says DesFosses. “All the different that there’s so many directions you can them a competitive advantage when 2019. And then she has her fingers crossed phin communication, marine mammal speakers gave such an interesting perspec- take with a career in marine mammals. I applying for the aquarium’s highly com- that she will get hired to work with animals stranding and rehabilitation, dive physiol- tive about the field, and I just soaked it all molded the rest of my education around petitive internships. or in another public outreach role. ogy, and aquarium veterinary care. in. It helped me confirm that working that one class. DesFosses completed three internships Robert Kenney, Ph.D. ’85, emeritus with marine animals was what I really “We got to see so much of what goes SEAL THE DEAL at the aquarium before she was hired full- marine scientist at URI’s Graduate School wanted to do.” on behind the scenes at the aquarium and “I think what made me stand out dur- time, but she says it was all worthwhile. of Oceanography, has led one class session Kaitlyn Quirke ’18 had a similar reac- how to apply what we were learning in ing my internship interview was that I “It’s the coolest job; it’s everything I could each year since 1983, focusing on whale tion to the class. class,” she adds. “We felt like VIPs one was willing to volunteer first,” Quirke have imagined it would be and more,” she bioenergetics and feeding strategies. In “It’s definitely not an overstatement to night a week.” said. “I proved during my volunteer time says. “I don’t think I could ever want any- his sessions, he draws on his decades of say that the class changed the entire tra- Before the end of their respective that I’m reliable and a hard worker, so thing more with my career than what I’m experience studying right whales. jectory of my career,” she says. “I was a classes, Richard invited DesFosses and they knew that about me going in.” doing now.” Top, sea horses feed in Mystic’s main gallery; According to Richard, one theme marine bio major, but I wasn’t sure what Quirke to help him with his research on Quirke’s internship in guest services center, a beluga whale surfaces, showing the of his class is applying scientific literature I was going to do with it. And when the species’ distinctive rounded head (melon); beluga whale reproductive physiology, and the marine mammal husbandry to the field of marine mammal biology. bottom, a brilliant jellyfish displays its colors. class brought in all these different and he advised them to join the volunteer department—which includes working with

42 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY MYSTIC AQUARIUM UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 43 A BAD DAY AT WORK? NOT HERE Not every URI grad who works at the aquarium works with marine mammals, of course. Megan Priede-Sousa ’06, for instance, is the assistant supervisor of fish and invertebrates, which means she is responsible for almost everything that has to do with the aquarium’s marine life— with the exception of the birds, mammals, and reptiles. And Tyler Bawden ’17 helps ensure that visitors to the aquarium have a posi- tive experience. As a guest services cap- tain, he answers questions from guests, ensures exhibits are staffed, helps run the shows, trains new staff, and handles guest complaints. It’s exactly the kind of job he hoped for when he earned his African penguins, like this Mystic resident, are endangered. Their population has declined 90 degree in wildlife biology—a combina- percent over the last 60 years. Mystic is a part of worldwide efforts to address and reverse the tion of wildlife conservation and envi- decline. Below, children enjoy a Mystic exhibit. ronmental education. “Every day working with guests and animals is strangely unique,” he says. “All bread-and-butter. I can’t say I have a It’s especially fun for me to watch kids the animals have as many personalities as favorite animal, but I also don’t have a learn about why it’s so important to pro- Justin Richard, Ph.D. ’16, teaches URI’s popular Seminar on Marine Mammals at Mystic and conducts research with Mystic’s belugas. our staff does, and our guests can make or least favorite.” tect these animals.” break the day. We have a really good team For Gabby Woodford ’14, working at “It’s really hard to have a bad day when that helps support whatever comes our the aquarium often means she’s on the you’re out there and you get to see beluga way, from making sure our shows open road presenting educational programs whales and sea lions every day,” concludes UNDERSTANDING up, telling people about feeding times, about marine life to audiences near and wandering around addressing issues, and far, all of which involve showcasing some “If people don’t know about making sure the front desk is of the aquarium’s animals, from crabs to BELUGA REPRODUCTION taken care of. If some- sea urchins to reptiles. an animal, they don’t know Justin Richard’s experience at Mystic Sartini, associate professor of animal “They’re very showy animals, almost thing doesn’t seem “I could be doing a birthday party at to care about it. So educa- Aquarium extends beyond his former science and an expert in mammalian like birds, in that the males perform a lot of right, we work the aquarium or at someone’s house; I career working with beluga whales and reproductive physiology. display behaviors, which suggests that the on it.” might go to a school and do multiple pro- tion is the most important his present role co-teaching the marine “Studying Mystic’s belugas year-round females are choosy about who they mate While he grams in one day; or bring a touch-tank part of conservation.” mammal seminar. He also conducts helps us fill in the knowledge gaps that with,” he says. “And that leads to many dif- doesn’t get to a conference; or take people on tours,” — Gabby Woodford ’14 beluga whale research at the aquarium, studying them in the wild leaves, because ferent management and conservation ques- hands-on she says. “We even have weeklong pro- and since 2013, more than 35 URI students the animals breed in the late winter in the tions, especially as beluga habitat changed with the grams sometimes.” have been part of his research team. Arctic when they’re completely inaccessi- rapidly with the loss of Arctic sea ice.” • animals She enjoyed the fieldwork she con- Quirke. “There’s a lot of hard work going He became interested in learning more ble,” Richard says. every day, ducted while earning her wildlife biology on behind the scenes to take care of all of about beluga reproductive physiology He has spent the last five years validat- he helps degree, including searching for salaman- the animals, but all that hard work is after working with one of the whales that ing methods of measuring reproductive There is a lot that Mystic’s manage ders in West Virginia, conducting an absolutely worth it.” • was involved in the first-ever artificial hormones. For instance, he figured out he VIP tours inventory of reptiles and amphibians on animals can teach us about insemination of a beluga. could identify when female whales have and beluga Fire Island National Seashore, and learn- beluga reproduction. “There “I realized that little was known about ovulated and the status of their pregnancy whale encoun- ing to track birds by first tracking her beluga reproduction, and there was a lot from hormones in the mucus from their is a very clear connection ters, and he gets professor through the woods. But when it that Mystic’s animals could teach us about exhalation or blow. He has also validated plenty of opportu- came time to look for a job, she was most between understanding it,” he says. “There is a very clear connec- the use of ultrasound to assess male nities for wildlife interested in those that featured environ- tion between understanding beluga repro- reproductive physiology. beluga reproduction and encounters of his own. mental education. duction and understanding their popula- Now he’s trying to link behavioral “Everything is so unique here,” “If people don’t know about an animal, understanding their popula- tion dynamics in the wild. If we’re going observations with these physiological Bawden says. “On any given day I might they don’t know to care about it,” says tion dynamics in the wild.” to understand how populations grow, we measures so he can determine a whale’s want to hang out with the fur seals or be Woodford. “So education is the most have to understand their reproduction.” reproductive status based entirely on the — Justin Richard, Ph.D. ’16 surrounded by the reptiles—they’re my important part of conservation. That led him to collaborate with Becky behaviors they exhibit.

44 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY MYSTIC AQUARIUM; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 45 Network University of Texas School of remains on the board of trust- Hospital. His military awards Public Health, Houston, and ees. He previously ran Wickford include: Legion of Merit Bronze then worked as a research sci- Consulting LLC and held posi- Star, Meritorious Service Med- entist for the National Institute tions at Fleet Financial Group als, Army Commendation Med- Congratulations Class of 1969 on your 50th reunion! Special thanks for Occupational Safety and and Old Stone Bank. als, Army Achievement Medal, THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Health in Cincinnati until my Good Conduct Medal, Reserve to the reunion committee and to = 1982 = foundation & alumni engagement all who contributed to the record- retirement in 2018.” Components Achievement Harold Horvat of Cranston, breaking $1 million class gift. Medal, Global War on Terrorism Thomas Lamb ’74 u Peter Panagiotis, page 30 Rhode Island, has been elected Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign The Alumni Association and Foundation are excited chairman and CEO of Centreville = 1972 = Medal, and the Overseas Ser- to present their new shared identity as URI Foundation Bank. He was elected president Waverly Lowell of Oakland, vice Ribbon for Operation Iraqi & Alumni Engagement. Alumni volunteers and staff and COO of the bank in 2018, California, principle in the Freedom in Tikrit and Mosul. at both organizations thoroughly explored this change and will remain as president ONDA Group consultants, He earned Special Forces Tab, and concluded that combining their services would in his new role. He joined the recently retired after 20 years EIB, CAB, Order of Military provide the best outcome for alumni. As always, we bank in 2014, and previously as the curator of the Environ- Medical Merit. look forward to helping you connect with URI and held leadership positions at a mental Design Archives at with one another. number of community banks. Col. James M. Manni was the University of California, He also serves as treasurer appointed director of public Berkeley. Prior to her position on the board of directors for safety and superintendent of at Berkeley she served a FRIENDS WAY, the only family the Rhode Island State Police decade as the director of the A SINGLE ALUMNI VOICE IN SUPPORT bereavement center in Rhode by Governor Gina Raimondo Hal Horvat ’82 National Archives – Pacific OF THE UNIVERSITY Island. on March 1, 2019. Manni Sierra Region. An elected fellow Working together, we will pursue a mission to inspire and retired from the Rhode Island of the Society of American = 1983 = steward support for URI, and to inform and engage alumni State Police in 2015 after serv- Archivists, she authored Living John R. Gouin of Corpus as committed partners of the University, its mission, and its ing for 25 years. In 2016, he Modern: A Biography of Green- Christi, Texas, a podiatric sur- traditions. In all its activities, the institution strives for transpar- was appointed town manager wood Common (2009). geon, retired from the U.S. ency, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and respect. of Narragansett. Before joining Army (colonel) after nearly 36 = 1974 = the Rhode Island State Police years of service. He returned Thomas Lamb of East in 1990, he spent five years as from Iraq in 2005 after serving Greenwich, Rhode Island, a special agent with the United approximately one year as a = CLASS NOTES = retired as chairman and CEO of States Secret Service. special staff officer assigned to Centreville Bank in April 2019. the 228th Combat Support = 1960 = number of bricks they laid so ranging from the weight of the He joined the bank in 2014 and James Manni ’83 Richard A. Durst, Professor they did not want to wait human soul to cold fusion and Emeritus of Chemistry, Cornell around too long for the sum- beyond. He was also invited to University, has been reelected mer help. We all got good tans give a condensed version of Let your classmates to the Presidium of the and strong backs from that this talk, “Pathological Science European Academy of Sciences summer. The following few know what you’re up to. and the Perils of Thinking Out- Mark Finne (left) for a second four-year term. years, I worked as a lab assis- Reunions, gatherings, side of the Box,” at Pittcon 2018 at Acuworx This experience allows him to tant in the Department of gallery opening. career or academic in Orlando, Florida, last year. interact with colleagues in a Microbiology and waited Far left, Finne's updates, weddings and variety of disciplines through- = 1971 = tables ‘down-the-line’ at Giros KraBB NeBBYooLa birth announcements, out Europe. In addition, he is Thomas Connor ’71, M.S. ’76 Restaurant in Wakefield. A fist- (2019). Acrylic on retirements, exhibition continuing to present a special wrote, “I read with interest and ful of beer mugs was still a lot canvas. 72” x 24” openings, travel, or lecture on pathological science a smile the account of Norm lighter than 12-inch cinder- your favorite URI to chemistry and biology stu- Schoeler ’70 about his experi- blocks or brick tongs full of = 1995 = dents at the University of ence helping build Heathman bricks. After I obtained my Mark Finne of Randolph, New Jersey, opened his “Spring memories. Submit Regensburg (Germany). He has Hall. I also had a similar experi- master’s degree we moved to Aw8kening” gallery show and sale in March 2019 with a pri- notes and photos: been giving this lecture for ence one summer at URI. I was Texas, so my daughters never vate reception held at Acuworx Acupuncture Studio in Jersey email: [email protected] several years and, since he is a laborer and mason’s tender got to attend URI. In 1982, I City, New Jersey. In honor of spring equinox, more than 100 being invited back, it appears the summer of 1970 working obtained my doctorate from invited guests attended the opening party, featuring 17 of online: alumni.uri.edu to be well-received by the stu- on Gorham Hall. I, too, lugged the University of Texas Medical Mark’s vibrant, original acrylic-on-canvas paintings. Ten per- dents. It is a two-hour lecture the bricks and stirred the mor- Branch in Galveston in preven- cent of sales was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, covering a variety of topics tar. Masons were paid by the tive medicine. I taught at the Hudson, and Union Counties (New Jersey).

46 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY PROVIDENCE JOURNAL; RENE GONZALEZ, ABSOLUTE R PRODUCTIONS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 47 NETWORK

= 1986 = role in 2018. The nominators = 2014 = Adrianna Nordhill of Ports- Lauren Adler Caudill of for the award noted that “the u Gabby Woodford, page 44 mouth, Rhode Island, has been Richmond, Virginia, is a partner participation of foreign schol- accepted to the Peace Corps = 2015 = in the law firm of Jacobs, ars has always enriched our and departed for Vanuatu in u Rachael DesFosses, Caudill & Gill. She has recently conferences, and the presence April to begin training as a pri- page 42 been appointed by the Virginia of so many members of the mary education English General Assembly to serve as a next generation of landscape u Bintou Marong, page 15 teacher-trainer volunteer. Prior judge on the Henrico County ecologists is very much facili- to joining the Peace Corps, she u Alexandra Moen, page 20 General District Court. She tated by these awards. Admin- served in AmeriCorps with City and front cover took the bench on June 1, istration of these awards is a Year in Providence, working at 2019. significant amount of work, = 2016 = Pleasant View Elementary in and I believe the leadership of u Alycia Coulumbe, page 41 Providence and as a behavior = 1985 = Dr. Vigness-Raposa ensuring specialist at Forest Avenue Ele- Adrianna Nordhill ’17 u Robert Kenney, Ph.D. ’85, u Justin Richard, Ph.D. ’16 , this committee runs smoothly mentary in Middletown. Dur- page 42 pages 42 and 45 deserves recognition.” Vigness- Nikki Noya ’00 ing her first three months of = 2018 = = 1990 = Raposa currently serves as the = 2017 = Peace Corps service, Nordhill u Stephen Brenner, page 3 u Bill Eigen, page 53 vice president of environmen- = 2006 = = 2009 = u Tyler Bawden, page 44 will live with a host family in u Kyla Duffy, page 50 tal programs at Marine Acous- Caleb Manchester of Boston, The class of 2009 College Stu- Vanuatu to become fully = 1996 = Melanie Bonacasa has moved tics Inc. Massachusetts, has been dent Personnel cohort met in immersed in the country’s lan- u Emily Hadfield, page 35 u Erica Estus, Pharm.D. ’96, from New York back to Rhode awarded the Center of Real April for a 10-year reunion in guage and culture. After page 11 u Vikki Warner, page 54 Island to become social media u Richard Lisi, page 36 Estate Alumni of the Year Providence. Classmates pres- acquiring the necessary skills coordinator and assistant for = 2000 = Award by the University of ent were: Jared Abdirkin ’07, to assist her community, she u Alison Otto, page 34 the Picerne Family Foundation. Nikki Noya (communication Connecticut. After earning his M.S. ’09; Stephanie Alliette, will be sworn into service and Nicole Pallozzi, Miss Rhode studies) was crowned Mrs. D.C. Bachelor of Science in business M.S. ’09 and family; Daniel assigned to a Island USA 2019, represented America on April 14 at the Ken- from URI, Caleb went on to Cline ’07, M.S. ’09; Kat Keyes, community in Rhode Island in the Miss USA nedy Center in Washington, earn his MBA from the Univer- M.S. ’09; Jess Raffaele ’04, M.S. Vanuatu, where pageant in Reno, Nevada, in D.C. Noya, an executive pro- sity of Connecticut. The award ’09; Richard Song ’07, M.S. ’09; she will live and May 2019. ducer and co-host of the cable honors an accomplished alum and Harry Twyman, M.S. ’09. work for two TV travel show, The Jet Set, will in the real estate industry. years in cooper- u Caitlyn Picard, page 38 = 2010 = compete in the Mrs. America ation with the u Lindsey Nelson, page 41 u Jason Smith, back cover u Kaitlyn Quirke, page 42 Pageant in August in Las Vegas. local people and Nicole Pallozzi ’18 u Megan Priede-Sousa, = 2011 = partner organi- u Meredith Shubel, page 34 = 2001 = page 44 u Allie Seifter Bruscato, zations on sus- u Cortney Nicolato, page 52 u Africa Smith, page 36 page 40 tainable, com- u Jen Rock, page 41 Class of 2009 College Student = 2002 = munity-based development u Brian Caccioppoli, page 24 Personnel reunion. u Emily Clapham ’02, M.S. projects that improve the lives ’04, page 25 = 2012 = of people in Vanuatu. Jared Sell writes, “Currently, = 2004 = there are four URI alumni work- Kathleen Vigness-Raposa ’98 Jacqueline Odell Hermsen, ing on the Hollywood Studios M.A. ’04 received a 2019 Var- = 1998 = Expansion at Walt Disney WEDDINGS sity Club Award from her high Kathleen Vigness-Raposa, World. Myself, Catherine Cro- school alma mater, Worcester At left, Brian Barrett ’12 to M.S. ’98, Ph.D. ’10 received nin ’18 (electrical engineering), Academy, for soccer, basket- Kayla Whiting ’12, D.P.T ’15 on the 2019 Distinguished Service and Will Depina-Gomes ’18 ball, and track and field. For the BIRTHS September 15, 2018. Brian and Kayla Award in April 2019 at the (landscape architecture) are past 15 years she has been AND ADOPTIONS wrote, “When the band made the annual meeting of the U.S. working on Star Wars Galaxy's executive director of Northeast announcement for the photo, it was Regional Association for Land- Andrew Finan ’07 and Edge, the single largest land Seafood Coalition in Glouces- pretty special to see how deeply scape Ecology in Fort Collins, Dianna (Schoder) Finan ’07 expansion in Disney Parks his- ter, Massachusetts. Rhody was represented at our wed- Colorado. The award recog- welcomed their daughter tory. Steve Pratt ’15 (mechani- ding: URI classes of 1981, 1982, 1983, nizes individuals for their u Brennan Phillips ’04, Harper Layne Finan on cal engineering) is supporting 1984, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2013, 2014, exceptional contributions to Ph.D. ’16, page 26 December 29, 2018. Disney's Skyliner, a new form 2015, and 2019 were present.” the society. Vigness-Raposa of transportation that will u Sarah Schumann, page 12 Morgan (McGowan) became co-chair of the organi- bring guests from several Handwerk ’09 and Michael Shawn Sanders ’13 to Deanna zation’s Foreign Travel Award in = 2005 = resorts to Epcot and Holly- Handwerk welcomed baby Willbanks on October 21, 2018. 2011, then chair in 2012, until u Sunshine Menezes Ph.D. wood Studios.” girl Nora Elise Handwerk she stepped down from that ’05, page 16 on November 29, 2018.

48 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: ALI RIZVI UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 49 NETWORK

= YOUR STORIES = A vintage camera travels the world, bridging generations and forging friendships.

SHORTLY AFTER MY They met for coffee, chatted story, “Falling for Film,” was for a few hours about all published in the fall 2018 issue things photography, and Alex = IN MEMORIAM = of the University of Rhode Island gave him the camera to use in Magazine, I got a message the meantime. Ironically, Thomas Verrecchia ’41 Lt. Col. Gary R. Bill ’54 Gerard Beaudette, M.L.I.S. ’68 Crist Costa, M.B.A. ’90 from Alex Larson ’77, a retired shortly after receiving the Ira Bornstein ’42 Robert Bray ’54 Hannibal Costa ’68, M.P.A. ’72 Curtis Norwood, Ph.D. ’93 corporate economist who camera, Matt took it with him Donald Johnstone ’42 Filomena Buonanni ’54 Lindell Clark Northup ’68, Maj. James Brophy (USMC) ’05 lives in Texas. He reached out on a road trip back to Texas to Pearl Blackmar ’45 Alfred Letizia ’54 M.S. ’77 Benjamin Delaney ’10, M.S. ’11 because he had some enlarger attend the SXSW Film Festival. Lt. Thomas Rodman ’68 lenses he wanted to donate to In May, I came home to Joseph Tkacheff ’46 Howard Haronian ’55 Gregory Hanna ’11 the Cage (the film photo lab in Rhode Island for a visit. While Katherine Brinnier ’47 John Turner, M.A. ’55 Katherine MacGregor, M.L.I.S. ’69 Kathleen Gremel, Ph.D. ’13 URI's Fine Arts Center). home, I met up with Matt, got Marjorie Mandell ’47 Marilyn Boris ’56 Mary Murphy ’69 Dominique Franco ’20 I told him that the Cage the camera (spent some time Phyllis Goodwin ’48 Robert Heffernan ’56 Robin O’Leary ’69 Suhail Habeeb ’22 would be happy to accept any freaking out over how cool it Barbara Marcus ’48 Frank Cambio ’57 Thomas Richmond ’69 donations he had, and after was), and brought it back to Henry Pointon ’48 Lorraine Peterson ’57, M.L.I.S. ’72 Martha Serenbetz ’69 Faculty and Staff some correspondence back Dublin with me. Thomas Bourn, M.S. ’70 and forth, he mentioned that Alex described the camera Alice Topakian ’48 Mary Petrarca ’57 Amanda Moss Cowan, he had a 1983 Leica R4s (a as a “no strings gift,” asking Errol Carpenter ’49 Ernest Deluski ’58 Bradley Butcher ’71 former assistant professor very nice camera) that he only to be updated from time to John Hood ’49 Harold Fracassa ’58 Joseph Goodman ’71 of management hadn’t used in years and asked time on its travels. He told me Claire Inglis ’49 Joseph Gray ’58 Veronica Maher, M.L.I.S. ’71 Marguerite Bumpus, professor if I would be interested in it. he had traveled extensively with Hubie Kapowich ’49 Susan Miller ’58 Dorothy Yamzon ’71 emeritus of education He had been traveling between it over the years and was eager Shirley Mac Cue ’49 Marylyn Peel ’58 Dorothy Fay ’72 Rhode Island and Texas, to visit to have it passed on to someone James Cooley, professor Mildred Hoffman ’72 his mother, and said that next who would continue its journey. Mary Shepley ’49 Howard Cox ’59 emeritus of electrical, time he was in Rhode Island, The life of this camera has Naomi Alpern ’50 Roger Garreau ’59 William Black ’73 computer, and biomedical he would bring it with him. been undoubtedly legendary, Benjamin Curtis ’50 Maurice Landry ’59 John Marshall ’73, M.B.A. ’75 engineering In the meantime, I moved wandering across the country F. Ward Harper ’50 Hrant Shoushanian ’59 Robert Mattson ’73 Frank DeLuise ’48, M.S. ’50, to Dublin, Ireland, to spend a and abroad, capturing thou- Barbara Hecker ’50 Geraldine Blake ’61 Donna Potter ’73 professor emeritus of year working and traveling sands of moments in time Pasco Macera ’50 Joseph Leylegian ’61 Diane De Palm ’74 engineering before figuring out my future with each click of the shutter. Dorothy Young ’74 plans. So when Alex next I am incredibly grateful for the Mary Ann Pawlikowski ’50 Ivar Johnson ’62 John Desmarais, former came up to Rhode Island, I put opportunity to continue its Dorothy Perryman ’50 Lester LeBlanc ’62, M.S. ’63, Frances Sadler ’75 housekeeper him in touch with a good legacy of world travel, while Robert Saute ’50 Ph.D. ’66 Gregory Shepard ’75 George Fitzelle, professor friend, and fellow photo nerd, also keeping the art of film Paul Simoneau ’50 Stuart Schachter ’62 Irene Miele ’76 emeritus of human develop- Matthew Meigs ’20 who is a photography alive. Thank you, Ernest Testa ’50 Carol Wilbur ’62 Patricia Millar ’76, M.S. ’81 ment and family studies film and writing student at Alex. The Leica and I will keep W. Donald Wilson ’50, M.B.A. ’68 Alan Barnicoat ’63 Candace Salvo ’76 URI and works in the Cage. you posted on our travels. • Catherine Jacob, former Anthony Guarino, M.S. ’63, John Scaralia ’77 —Kyla Duffy ’18 Donald Gavin ’51 associate registrar Ph.D. ’66 Donna O’Neill ’78 John Gomez Jr. ’51 Dorothy Jacobs, professor = HAPPENINGS = Gwendolyn Hart ’63 Harold Kjellman ’51 James Ronald, M.S. ’78 emeritus of English Kenneth Resnick ’51 David Potter ’63, M.S. ’65 Christopher Courtney ’79 Mark Moffett, former assistant George Behan, M.A. ’64 Karen Kazin ’79, M.S. ’00 Charlotte Spungin ’51 professor of ocean engineering Dorothy Hunter ’52, M.S. ’71 Joseph Castaldi ’64 Elaine Pereira, M.A. ’79 Elizabeth Smith, former Lee Mongeon ’52 Jeanne Willis ’64 Valerie Anastasia ’80 senior clerk typist Marvin Perry ’52 Louis Fiore ’65 Diana Kennett, M.S. ’83 George Sarantos ’52 James Hurst ’65 Sherrie Manni ’83 Frederick Test, professor emeritus of mechanical John Saul ’52 Patricia Panciera ’65 Robert Reilly ’83 engineering Marilyn Eisenberg ’53 Tommy Adams, M.P.A ’66 William Hurley ’85 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI & FAMILY WEEKEND 50TH REUNION GOLDEN GRAD REUNION Calvin Gudmundson ’66 Ivanna Hanushevsky ’86 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS OCTOBER 25–27, 2019 MAY 15–17, 2020 JUNE 5–6, 2020 Jeanette LaRiviere ’53 Nancy Manfredi ’66 OCTOBER 5, 2019 Arthur Leigh ’53 Gerald DeGiulio ’87 More Information at alumni.uri.edu Rodolfo Barbone ’54 Lt. David Cole, ’67 John Brezinsk ’90

50 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY KYLA DUFFY; CHRISSY BAYLESS; NORA LEWIS; MICHAEL SALERNO UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 51 NETWORK

= FIELD NOTES = Work Hard and Choose Courage CORTNEY NICOLATO ’01 President and CEO, United Way of Rhode Island

CORTNEY NICOLATO ’01 IS CERTAIN THAT SHE HAS THE best job in Rhode Island. “This state and its amazing people have given so much to me. Now I can help the state be its very best,” she says. “United Way brings together the community, the corporate sector, and nonprofits to do extraordinary things.” After 13 years in Texas, native Rhode Islander Nicolato returned to her home state last year to lead United Way of Rhode Island. She invites you to learn more about this important work at uwri.org. Here, Nicolato shares some advice, answers, and insights.

Essential personality traits for Best and worst work habits success in your field Best: I’m good at staying calm, cool, and Resilience is a critical part of working in a collected even in the toughest moments. nonprofit. You have to adapt and respond That’s an important trait for any leader. to routinely changing needs. Worst: I believe in my work, so I struggle to "shut off." Case in point: I am typing this Your path not taken at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night! I love business and was laser-focused on working in the for-profit sector. But I was Work fuel: Coffee or tea? “I still use every aspect of my taught to be a servant leader and After 13 years living in the community advocate, and that was South—iced tea…all day. URI finance degree, but now missing for me. I still use every aspect of I’ve married it with my my URI finance degree, but now I’ve Favorite object in passion to serve.” married it with my passion to serve. your office —Cortney Nicolato The Army National Guard Best advice you ever received Minuteman Award, which Always lead with integrity, even when that I received in 2008 for my isn’t the easy road. Then you will always work with the American have confidence, because the work is Heart Association on the Nicolato received the about something greater than yourself. Army National Guard Decade of Health Campaign, which promoted healthy lifestyles for Minuteman Award for her Your advice for aspiring work promoting healthy Army National Guardsmen and their nonprofit leaders lifestyles for guardsmen families. It’s the most prestigious honor Don't let perceived barriers get in your and their families. bestowed by the Guard to a civilian. way. Push past them by putting yourself out there. Work hard, choose Hardest thing about your job courage over comfort, and show the Seeing the inequities Rhode Island families world that you are destined for face saddens me. United Way is focused on greatness. building systems in the areas of education, = CLOSE UP = housing, and financial stability that are equi- Recommended reading table for all. It's hard but necessary work. Anything by Brené Brown and Shawn Hands-On Trader Achor. And New Power: How Power Works Can't get through a day without... WILLIAM EIGEN III ’90 in Our Hyperconnected World—and How to Hugs from Jacob and Ian, my two If you only had one word to describe Bill Eigen ’90, it’d have to be value-driven. Make It Work for You by Jeremy Heimans amazing kids. • and Henry Timms. At 16, the only car he could afford was one that didn’t run. He towed that Mustang back to his dad’s driveway, got it running perfectly, and drove it for a year. Then he sold it and tripled his money, repeating the process five more times through college to help pay tuition. That value-hunting philosophy drives him still. As a bond trader at J.P. Morgan, it has led to much success and a loyal Read more about Bill Eigen client following. And he still collects muscle cars—at a bargain. at uri.edu/magazine —Diane M. Sterrett 52 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY CORTNEY NICOLATO; JASON BOULAY; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 53 NETWORK

In Tenemental: Adventures of a Reluctant Landlady, author Vikki = BOOKSHELF = Warner ’98 recounts her purchase of a tenement house in Providence and her dream of establishing an urban utopia—at Check out the latest least within the bounds of her chain-link-fenced yard. books by alumni authors— and share your recently published book at uri.edu/magazine. Sample a Meet Vikki Or send a cover image, recipe and Warner and read The neighborhood: “My Providence brethren along with author, URI read more excerpts from have simply learned to live with the patterns of about why and Tenemental on waste and grift in the city, mostly by devising grad year, book title, how to expand facing page. and year published, to your seafood artful new ways to complain and joke about it horizons on in our hardass Yankee way. But we stay here [email protected]. page 12. because we really love this place. We even love Tenants she’s known: “I’ve filled Sarah Schumann ’04 (with Kate Masury, that it is often openly terrible. New Englanders [the house] with an outlandish In the Spring 2019 issue, the Vikki Warner ’98 Marie-Joelle Rochet, and Rizwan Ahmed) love punishment.” array of people (80 percent male) year of publication for Arnie Tenemental: Adventures of and animals (60 percent feline): “Tokyo” Rosenthal’s book, Simmering the Sea: Diversifying Cookery a Reluctant Landlady (2018) punk farmers, herbalists, body Our Last Seder, was incor- to Sustain Our Fisheries (2018) piercers, musicians who play rectly listed as 2013. It metal, punk, country-rock, psych, was published in 2017. We and folk (or some combination apologize for the error. thereof), chefs, bike mechanics, angry straight couples, boisterous gay couples, couch-crashers, geeks, losers, insomniacs, hippies, alcoholics, artists, pit bulls, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, ferrets, and a bona fide cat parade.”

Jon B. Cooke ’17 Donald J. Cotter ’52 Marianne Holmes ’75 Jack Hopkins, M.B.A. ’77 Michael Keith ’76, The myth of the nasty The Book of Weirdo: A Fran’s Organ Arriving in Time for The Forgotten P: A Real- Ph.D. ’98 Stories in the landlady: “The women I Retrospective of R. Crumb’s Mountains (2018) Dinner (2018) Life Guide to Practical Key of Me: New and = ANNOTATIONS = know who rent apartments Legendary Humor Comics Marketing (2018) Selected (2019) to tenants are fairly young, Anthology (2019) This (Weird) dangerous with a spread- sheet, and firmly in charge of their homes and lives, so we Old House might want to update the accepted shorthand ‘generic landlady’ image of an angry, broom-wielding old lady.”

Potential perils of planting No regrets: “Buying the house and selecting a a garden: “We joked about long line of opinionated outsiders to live in it with dead bodies; secretly I was me has added to a series of proclamations: I’m slightly anxious that we tough and capable, and nobody can tell me how might encounter one. In the to live; I want to be with my weirdo brethren; we heart of a formerly mob- spit on your plywood mansion out in the suburbs. Nikoo K. McGoldrick Stephen Priest, M.S. ’71 Tony Ricci ’74 Al Roberto ’65 Brett Rutherford ’05, controlled neighborhood, Even when none of the above is particularly ’84 and James A. Outdoor Play: Fun 4 Where The West The Blue Meteor (2018) M.A. ’07 Break Every digging down is a dicey true—when the experience of owning the house McGoldrick, M.A. ’89, Seniors (2019) Becomes The West: Bond: Sarah Helen prospect.” is terrible and I’ve stopped wholly believing in Ph.D. ’91 Highland A Bicycle Journey Whitman in Providence it—even then, I’m happy it’s not ordinary.” Crown (2019) Across America (2019) (2019) — Marybeth Reilly-McGreen 54 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 55 NETWORK

= CAPTION THIS = Photo Caption Contest Do you have a funny idea for a caption for this photo from the URI Archives? Email your caption to [email protected] or respond at uri.edu/magazine.

Submit entries by September 1, 2019

SPRING WINNERS: OCEAN ENGINEERS, 1965

Thanks to you! READERS HAD LOTS OF scan sonar work, many of you did fun coming up with captions geek out quite creatively with funny for this 1965 photo of the late Profes- captions referencing punch cards, sor of Ocean Engineering Foster programming errors, IBM, Apple, Middleton (back) and the late Gilbert Bill Gates, and even a good real-life Fain ’58, M.S. ’61, Ph.D. ’68 (front). story about a 1963 divide-by-zero The University of Rhode Island celebrates a Professor Emeritus of Ocean Engi- error on an IBM 360, which resulted record-breaking fiscal year of raising more than $35 million! neering Malcolm Spaulding shared in a flurry of error-message printouts his insights about the photo: “After that looked much like the printout in completing his Ph.D. at URI, Gil, who this photo—thanks to Dan Nichols ’63 • More than $2.6 million from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students Winning Caption was Foster’s graduate student, went for his wonderful story. for the URI Annual Fund “I only bought one item. Why is on to become a faculty member at But our winning caption, one of • 3,155 gifts on URI Day of Giving, tripling our original goal my CVS receipt this long??” UMass, Dartmouth. Foster and Gil the runners-up, and the majority of —Sharon Clarke ’91, M.L.S. ’06 were extensively involved in develop- the submissions—by far—referenced • $1 million from the Class of 1969 for their 50th Reunion Runners-Up ing side scan sonar systems (used to the familiar scrolling CVS receipt. “...and I’m gonna start a pharmacy create images of large areas of the Toilet paper jokes were a close sec- • Thousands of alumni, students, parents, and friends attended alumni events called CVS, and we’re gonna make sure ocean floor) at the time this photo ond. What can we say? Bathroom everyone gets a receipt...a big receipt.” was taken. My best guess is that in humor never seems to go out of style. The success of URI students is possible thanks to the commitment and —Judy Nazemetz ’72 this photo, they were likely looking Thank you, as always, for your passion of our contributors. Thank you for shaping the future of our University. North Pole retains Ernst & Young at print output of side scan images.” funny and creative captions. Please to audit Naughty-Nice List. While none of the captions you, keep them coming! • —Jill S. Mason ’82 dear readers, sent in, referenced side THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND foundation & alumni engagement

56 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: COURTESY URI DIGITAL ARCHIVES urifoundation.org/giveonline | 401.874.7900 | [email protected] Nonprofit Org. Alumni Center U.S. Postage 73 Upper College Road PAID Kingston, RI 02881 USA Permit No. 1214 Providence, RI

Yoruba JASON SMITH ‘10 Jason Smith has always created art. Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island, his family encouraged his creativity. His longstand- ing interest in mythology, religion, and ancient cul- tures inspired a series that explores belief systems and their artifacts—relief carvings, codices, sculptures, and monuments. Part of that series, Yoruba depicts a creation myth of a marshy world to which the gods descended on spiderwebs, enlisting a pigeon, a five-toed hen, and a chameleon to solidify and dry out the earth.

Yoruba, Jason Smith, 18” x 24”, oil on Dura Lar, 2012

PHOTO: ANDREA PÉREZ BESSIN