Graduate School of Oceanography

Summer 2018

THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND | GRADUATE SCHOOL OF OCEANOGRAPHY

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2 View Port The 2018 Volvo Ocean Race visits Newport 4 Happenings on the Waterfront A chronicle of events at GSO from January to June 2018 8 Cause & Effect Scientists investigate Rhode Island Sound and Narragansett Bay 10 Fisheries Program in the Philippines The Coastal Resources Center lands a historic grant 12 Dawn of a New Day The National Science Foundation awards its next Regional Class Research Vessel to GSO and the newly formed East Coast Oceanographic Consortium 16 The Future of Ocean Exploration Professor Ballard discusses ongoing research and core goals 19 Walking the Talk GSO alumna Leanna Heffner (Ph.D. 2013) 22 Make Fast Shore-side preparations and implemen- tation of the campus master plan 24 Alumni Support Growth in dollars raised and participation 24 Alumni News and Notes

Right: On the drawing board and under construction is RCRV-2, the yet-to-be-named vessel that will call Narragansett, Rhode Island, home. She’ll arrive at GSO’s pier in 2021. Cover: “Endeavor at Dawn” by Alex DeCiccio.

Aboard GSO is funded by alumni, friends and the Dean’s Office and is published twice yearly by the URI Graduate School of Oceanography. Please email your comments, questions, and/or news to [email protected]

14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 2 9/19/18 7:30 PM From the Dean

“ Steady on course, full speed.”

One of the rights of passage for geological cruises on the R/V Trident was to man the precision depth recorder as the ship carried out a mapping survey. Course changes were marked and annotated on the recording sheet, and, once the ship was underway with a new heading, Steady on course, full speed was noted. I was reminded of this recently while reviewing recent events here at GSO and the number of changes that have occurred over the last six years.

The Next Vessel and Campus Renovations The East Coast Oceanographic Consortium (ECOC), led by GSO, was chosen to manage and We continue to build upon our innovative outreach operate the new Regional Class Research Vessel work through the Inner Space Center, Center for (RCRV). This selection capped a six-year effort that Ocean Exploration, and the Coastal Resources included developing a Narragansett Bay Campus Center, all of which are making significant regional, Master Plan, which highlighted the need for an national, and international impacts in ocean science. enlarged dock and a new building for marine Look no further than CRC’s recent $25 million operations to support the RCRV. We have been grant—the largest in URI history—from the U.S. successful in getting a $45-million bond request on Agency for International Development for fisheries Rhode Island’s 2018 ballot this November to provide work in the Philippines to understand just how far funds for the pier upgrade, a building for marine GSO’s reputation for excellence extends. operations, a new building for innovation and collaborations in ocean technology and the design Moving Forward Together and planning work necessary for the next phase of As we prepare to initiate the Narragansett Bay the master plan. Campus Master Plan and bring a new vessel to GSO, we can reflect on these changes that have Academics and Outreach positioned us to address the needs and challenges We’ve made excellent progress with our educa- of ocean science in the coming decades. The growth tional programs, including a revised Master of of our school, both in our past and in our future, is Oceanography program, which is a professional only possible because of the community of people master’s degree. We have also significantly increased who make GSO a premiere institution: faculty, staff, our undergraduate enrollments thanks to faculty students, alumni, advisors, supporters and many who have designed “Grand Challenge” courses others. I hope you enjoy this issue of Aboard GSO intended to address critical global issues. The faculty that provides a closer look at the people behind our have worked very hard and made great progress current work and future plans and aspirations. increasing our teaching footprint, and our research funding continues to be at an exceptionally high Best wishes, level. Faculty recruitment has been a high priority for GSO over the last six years, and, as a result, we have hired seven new faculty and will search for two additional members to join our community in the coming academic year. Bruce H. Corliss, Dean

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n May 9 and 10, 2018, seven The Graduate School of Oceanography was sleek state-of-the-art 65-foot- present with a variety of interactive exhibits. long one-design boats sailed At the center of Fort Adams was the into a rainy Fort Adams in “One Ocean Exploration Zone” held inside Newport for a weeklong stop an enormous tent abuzz with activity from Oduring the round-the-world Volvo Ocean an estimated 3,000 school children on field Race. During the stopover, nearly 125,000 trips, as well as many more teenagers and visitors were treated to views of these adults. Staff, faculty, and students from cutting-edge boats as well as a chance to GSO hosted displays in this ocean-themed learn about the ocean that the boats sail in. BEROUNSKY VERONICA science fair to show the groundbreaking

GSO Engages Thousands as the Volvo Ocean Race Sails into Narragansett Bay

By Veronica Berounsky

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work happening on the Narragansett the second Ocean Summit was held in Bay Campus. Highlights included GSO the Race Village and moderated by Rhode faculty-led exhibits such as an interactive Island Sea Grant Director Dennis Nixon. demonstration from Brice Loose’s lab The summit saw Rhode Island become of how carbon dioxide affects pH in the the first U.S. state to sign on to the U.N. ocean, a display by Isaac Ginis about CleanSeas campaign to fight ocean plastic storms and hurricanes, and a joint exhibit pollution. by Susanne Menden-Deuer’s and Tatiana Why did Volvo, a car and truck com- Rynearson’s labs called “Plankton: Small, pany, sponsor an around-the-world ocean Beautiful Bugs with a Big Impact.” Rhode sailing race? Peter Chaisson, Volvo business Island Sea Grant brought an exhibit about development manager, said, “Quality, how old fiberglass boats can be recycled safety and environmental care are our and used to make cement. A popular spot core values. Making people better aware was the Narragansett Bay touch tank, of our ocean and what we can do about organized and staffed by Ed Baker and his problems—for example the huge amount crew from GSO’s Anne Durbin Aquarium of trash and microplastics found even Building. GSO’s Inner Space Center at remote parts of the ocean during this entertained children and parents alike with race—falls right within our core values.” fun and games designed to increase their —AG VERONICA BEROUNSKY VERONICA knowledge about the ocean. In addition, ALEX DECICCIO ALEX DECICCIO

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Edited by Kathleen Beck and Peter Hanlon

In an inspiring blend of research, education and outreach, GSO students from the Chowder and Marching Society have been leading monthly presentations of their research at GSO. These well-attended talks make GSO professor Peter Cornillon the science accessible to all, and student presenters gain valuable expe- was one of the architects of rience as they provide audiences with a fascinating glimpse at the world URI’s 10th Annual Academic of oceanography. The Bay Informed Discussion Series is held (with Summit, titled “URI 2035.” The support from RI Sea Grant and the Dean’s Office) every third Thursday emphasis was on the future, in Corless Auditorium. In 2018, the following talks were given: drivers for change, and implica- January Rhode Island Shellfish Science April Fisheries Science and Policy tions for higher education. A discussion about shellfish research Speaking about fish and shellfish and management to ensure a sus- management from ship to market, The Coastal Resources Center tainable future for lobster and quahog GSO students discussed research (CRC) provided participants at populations in New England. supporting all aspects of the seafood the annual RI League of Cities industry. and Towns Convention with a February The Microbial Ocean training session as part of its From coasts to the seafloor beneath May Tsunami Science! PREP-RI (Providing Resilience the deep ocean, this discussion Tsunamis pose a threat to the U.S. Education for Planning in reviewed the techniques scientists use East Coast, and this discussion gave Rhode Island) online learning to learn about this microscopic world. an overview of the research and program. The program is now March Phytoplankton modeling efforts to better understand state-required training for local They are responsible for the oxygen in these events and aid in tsunami

ALEX DECICCIO level decision-makers and every other breath we take, form the hazard assessment. planners working to understand base of the food web, and even play June Discovering Past and Future Climate and address climate change a significant role in Earth’s climate From looking millions of years into impacts associated with strong system. This discussion shared the the past to understanding how marine storms and sea-level rise. amazing things we can learn from ecosystems will change in the future, phytoplankton. this discussion focused on how plank- Research Highlights ton are critical to climate science. Illuminating how planktonic food webs respond to Purpose: The goal of the by all parties, a culmination of environmental change Northeast Shelf LTER is to five years of discussions. Funding Recipient: understand and predict how Led by Heidi Sosik of the Woods planktonic food webs change CRC, RI Sea Grant, and URI Hole Oceanographic Institution through space and time in Dean Bruce Corliss hosted a began a coastal resilience (WHOI) with GSO professors response to changes in the reception for faculty, staff, stu- partnership with Westerly High Tatiana Rynearson and Susanne physical environment, and how dents, and alumni in attendance School in which 9th and 10th Menden-Deuer those changes impact ecosys- at the biennial Ocean Sciences graders will assess their readi- Funding Source: National tem productivity, particularly of Meeting in Portland, Ore. ness and help URI researchers Science Foundation’s Long-Term higher trophic levels. learn more about behavior Ecological Research Program The East Coast change and emergency pre- (LTER) Oceanographic Consortium paredness. The project is led by (ECOC) agreement among URI- James Prochaska, URI psychol- Editor’s Note: In the first half of 2018, URI’s Graduate School of GSO, WHOI and the University ogy researcher and director of Oceanography received more than $15.8 million in research funding. A few of New Hampshire was signed the Cancer Prevention Research notable examples are presented in this section as “Research Highlights.”

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Center, and Pamela Rubinoff, CRC coastal manager and Sea Grant extension agent.

Alumna Katy Croff-Bell (Ph.D. 2011) spearheaded “Here Be As part of the NSF-funded Dragons!” hosted by MIT’s STEMSEAS program, R/V Media Lab in collaboration with Endeavor left for Barbados the National Geographic Society to research the impact of and New England Aquarium. The the Amazon River Plume on event convened a broad selec- nitrogen availability and plank- tion of innovators to discuss our tonic food web dynamics in the largely unexplored and poorly Western Tropical North Atlantic. understood global ocean as well Aboard were 11 undergraduates as new and emerging technol- from diverse backgrounds. The ogies that might be deployed to students were mentored by our help bridge the enormous gaps. ship techs, three experienced GSO professor Robert Ballard scientists, and Chief Scientist/PI provided the keynote address, Joe Montoya from Georgia Tech. and URI ocean engineering assistant professor Brennan Undergraduate students from the Phillips participated on a tech- URI Honors Program departed nology panel with NOAA’s Office on a six-day oceanographic of Ocean Exploration Research research expedition aboard the Director Alan Leonardi. R/V Endeavor in which the Inner Space Center coordinated three Endeavor Live! Facebook broad- casts and one hosted event. The expedition was part of “CSI Aboard Endeavor, deploying the megacorer at night Oceans,” a URI Honors course led by GSO professor Karen The URI Chapter of the Society Wishner and GSO graduate for Women in Marine Science picked up by multiple media importance of safety on board student Christopher Orphanides. (SWMS) hosted their inaugural outlets including The New vessels, and a tour of the R/V SWMS Spring Symposium at York Times, U.S. News & Endeavor. New GSO faculty members the Narragansett Bay Campus. World Report, CBS News, and Roxanne Beinart, Kelton The program focused on ABC News. Van Dam’s major At a RI Sea Grant Coastal State McMahon, and Colleen Mouw mentoring and career choices professor is GSO professor Discussion Series event, GSO joined a discussion moderated available to women and minori- Christopher Kincaid. Ph.D. candidate Joseph Langan by GSO professor emeritus ties in marine science. Keynote and GSO professor Jeremy James Yoder on tips and speakers included GSO joint- The University-National Collie discussed their recent strategies for applying for jobs in faculty professor Bethany Oceanographic Laboratory work looking at the role tem- marine science. Jenkins and NOAA’s Catalina System (UNOLS) held a free perature plays in winter flounder Martinez (M.S. 1999). one-day chief scientist training populations. Their primary focus A dedication of a GSO bench session open to graduate has been looking at which life for the late professor Scott Master’s student Loes van students, post-docs, and other stages of winter flounder are W. Nixon featured remarks Dam’s research, which uses interested parties. The training most vulnerable to temperature, and many “Scott stories” from corn syrup to simulate how was intended to provide an with the aim to help resource Nixon’s colleagues and students. molten lava flows to gain insights understanding of the UNOLS managers identify which Nixon served as a GSO profes- into how Earth evolved geologi- system, how to apply for ship habitats to protect to sustain a sor for 42 years, as well as direc- cally, was profiled in an article on time, insight on working with winter flounder population in tor of RI Sea Grant from 1984 URI Today, which was then ship technical support, the Narragansett Bay. to 2000, before his unexpected death in 2012.

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Brice Loose was promoted New England and potentially to Associate Professor with any U.S. coastal region. This tenure and Christopher Roman two-year extension comes promoted to Full Professor. after a rigorous review, and the project will expand to develop “Sushi by the Sea” brought 3-D hazard impact and visual- together entrepreneurs, technol- ization tools with input from local ogists, investors, and GSO and emergency managers. ocean engineering (OE) staff Catrina Nowakowski, a MICHAEL SALERNO MICHAEL and faculty to celebrate ideas master’s student working in The 6th Annual Scott W. Nixon and innovations from URI. The GSO professor Isaac Ginis’ Lecture featured alumna event, held in the Nautilus Galley lab, presented a poster at Robinson W. Fulweiler (M.S. and sponsored by the Slater the Department of Homeland 2003, Ph.D. 2007) entitled “So Technology Fund, URI Research Security’s (DHS) Center of Many Estuaries, So Little Time.” Foundation, and URI Business Excellence Summit at George The spring meeting of the Fulweiler studied under Engagement Center, introduced Mason University. Nowakowski’s Dean’s Advisory Council was professor Nixon, and is currently GSO, OE and the Narragansett work focuses on improving held, highlighted by a number of an associate professor in the Bay Campus to regional inves- hurricane wind forecasts during presentations to the council from departments of Earth and tors with a strong interest landfall as part of a project GSO faculty, staff and students. Environment and Biology at in developing the blue economy focused on coastal resilience Boston University and director in Rhode Island and southern funded by DHS. GSO hosted the NOAA North of the BU Marine Program. New England. Atlantic Regional Team CRC, in collaboration with the (NART) annual meeting, which GSO Ph.D. candidate Colin College of the Environment and highlighted NOAA partnerships Jones was awarded a presti- Life Sciences, received a $25- at URI. gious Schlanger Ocean Drilling million grant from USAID for Fellowship through the U.S. fisheries work in the Philippines. Recent GSO graduate Sierra Science Support Program, one This is the largest grant received Davis (M.S. 2017) received a of only four awards made this in URI history. (See page 10 for NOAA Coastal Management year. His successful proposal details.) Fellowship with the Delaware was titled, “What Drives Sub- Coastal Program. Davis received her master’s degree with a focus Millennial Variability in the Research Highlights on marine geology and marine mid-Holocene West Antarctic Improving models to better geophysics this past December. Peninsula?” Jones’ advisor is prepare for hurricane hazards professor Rebecca Robinson. Funding Recipient: The Coastal Institute launched a GSO professor Isaac Ginis (with promotional campaign to attract MICHAEL SALERNO MICHAEL GSO professors Christopher community engagement at the The new NIH STEEP Center Kincaid, Tetsu Hara, Lewis 2018 STEEP Science Day in (Sources, Transport, Exposure Rothstein, and marine scientist Barnstable County on Cape Cod. and Effects of PFAS) led by David Ullman) Community members received GSO professor Rainer CRC hosted a delegation from Funding Source: U.S. an update on the program’s Lohmann, hosted a kickoff Senegal including the Minister Department of Homeland current work, findings, and goals. lecture in the STEEP Center of Fisheries. The group visited Security’s Coastal Resilience The challenges and benefits Series by Dr. Detlef R.U. Knappe GSO and various agencies in Center of Excellence of creating passive samplers of North Carolina State Rhode Island and Washington, Purpose: To refine combined to determine the presence and University titled, “Impacts of D.C., to learn about U.S. efforts coastal and inland flooding concentration of PFAS in water fluorochemical production and in fisheries management and models —developed during the was explained. use on drinking water quality in illegal fishing enforcement as first three years of the project— North Carolina.” The seminar well as share and discuss their for real-time forecasting during was cosponsored by the NIH efforts. hurricane landfall, and to expand INBRE Program and RI NSF those models to all of southern EPSCoR Program.

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The R.I. Shoreline Change Special Area Management Plan (Beach SAMP) was approved. CRC assisted the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council since 2012 in developing the milestone recommendations plan, which provides compre- hensive guidance, data and tools to coastal communities and stakeholders proactively seeking to address the impacts of storms and sea-level rise.

At the GSO Employee Recognition event, Dean Corliss joined the GSO community in congratulating retirees Sara Hickox, Eric Klos, Marsha WELCOME NEW GSO ALUMNI Warren, Helen Silvestri, and Linda Palazzo for their dedi- Graduation weekend featured GSO’s Samuel Gartzman, Samuel Giannakos, cation and faithful service on Shirting Ceremony to recognize our new Megan Layman and (front behalf of GSO. Numerous GSO graduates, and a recognition ceremony high- row, left to right) Caroline Salvaneschi, employees received a recog- lighted by visits from URI President David Christina Wertman, Nicole Brennan nition award for 10, 15, 20, or Dooley and Provost Donald DeHayes. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 25-plus years of service. Above: At the Commencement Ceremony in GSO awarded 18 master’s degrees and the Ryan Center were (back row, left to right) six doctorates. Below are all degree Research Highlights GSO Associate Dean David Smith, David recipients with their major professors. Investigating a submarine Gleeson, Corinne Truesdale, Arash Bidgeli, earthquake following the Kilauea eruption Master of Master of Doctor of Oceanography Science Philosophy Funding Recipient: GSO professor Yang Shen Shann Aharon Sierra Davis Arash Bigdeli Funding Source: National (David Smith) (John King) (Brice Loose) Science Foundation RAPID Nicole Brennan Samuel Gartzman Annie Foppert (Rapid Response Research) (Arthur Spivack) (Brice Loose) (Kathleen Donohue) Purpose: To investigate a mag- Samuel Giannakos Sylvia Kim Conor McManus nitude 6.9 earthquake following (David Smith) (Anton Post) (Jeremy Collie) the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea David Gleeson Christopher McAleer Jason McNamee volcano. Shen and graduate (Christopher Kincaid) (Brice Loose) (Jeremy Collie) student Jiahang Li deployed a network of ocean-bottom Megan Layman Neil Redmond Justine Sauvage (Isaac Ginis) (Rebecca Robinson) (Steven D’Hondt) seismometers (OBSs) off the coast of the Big Island to record Colleen O’Day Donald Rudnickas Christina Wertman seismic activity associated with (David Smith) (Brice Loose) (Christopher Kincaid) the ongoing eruption as well as Caroline Salvaneschi Tucker Sylvia physical and geologic properties (David Smith) (Christopher Kincaid) of the area. Hailey Simpson Corinne Truesdale (David Smith) (Jeremy Collie) James Spilsbury Noah Walcutt (David Smith) (Melissa Omand)

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Cause & Effect

GSO scientists investigate conditions behind toxic algal blooms in Rhode Island Sound and Narragansett Bay.

By Meredith Haas MEREDITH HAAS

Above: Associate Marine Research Scientist Lucie Maranda; Opposite: Associate Marine Research Scientist David Ullman and graduate student Joseph Barnes bag mussels to be deployed at a sentinel station for measurement of domoic acid uptake.

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nchored boats and buoys “We had no idea what was going to established populations. slowly emerge from and happen or how quickly,” says Angelo “One of the important things missing vanish back into the fog that Liberti, chief of Water Resources at is the water coming in from the shelf,” says lays thick across the water’s the Rhode Island Department of Kincaid. “There’s a deep pool of nitrogen surfaceA in the early morning hours as we Environmental Management, during a in the bottom water [offshore] in the slowly motor out of Wickford Harbor. It’s public debrief shortly after the event. summer. We have current meters that show the beginning of May and I’m with GSO “Our first priority was whether they could steady intrusions of water, plus these big researchers Lucie Maranda, David Ullman, release the dealer stock safely.” wind-driven intrusions, but we don’t have and their student, Joe Barnes, in a 16-foot If humans consume highly contami- good measurements of the two of them center-console heading to a mussel farm in nated shellfish, illnesses can range from together.” Narragansett Bay’s east passage. The team gastrointestinal problems and lethargy to The knowledge gap, he says, is under- will collect mussels from American Mussel more severe cases of short-term memory standing the nitrogen budget and figuring Harvesters then monitor for domoic acid, loss and seizures. Sales dipped for some out if, and how, this nitrogen-rich bottom a toxin produced by certain species of algae local harvesters, and many state agencies water is making its way to the photic zone from the phytoplankton genus, Pseudo- were left scratching their heads as to why in the bay where it can fuel harmful algal nitzschia, which can infect shellfish. this bloom occurred. blooms. “We need a true nitrogen budget “Mussels filter a lot of water and are “Pseudo-nitzschia is comprised of a to understand circulation patterns and generally the first shellfish to become number of species, some of which produce how that impacts the ecosystem.” toxic,” says Maranda, explaining why the toxin and some that don’t, and the Kincaid and his team have set up mussels are used for monitoring research. species that produce the toxin don’t always several sensors along an east-west transect The fog had started to burn off by the produce the same amount or any toxin at in the lower east passage, which is the main time we rafted up to the American Mussel all. So that’s what makes it hard to predict conduit for water entering the bay from the Harvesters’ workboat amidst the rows of and understand,” said Tatiana Rynearson, sound. Data on the velocity of water flow black buoys marking the mussel lines. The a plankton expert at GSO, in an interview at various depths as well as temperature crew passed us a crate of recently harvested last winter. mussels that the research team divided One theory that into 16 orange mesh bags. The bags are Maranda and Ullman, attached to two 12-foot lines and deployed along with fellow on moorings at a sentinel station south of GSO oceanographer Brenton Point to begin monitoring domoic Christopher Kincaid, acid uptake. are investigating is “We will collect them biweekly and that Rhode Island run an [amnesic shellfish poisoning] test,” Sound may be a says Maranda, adding that they will also potential source for test wild mussel stocks. “The test looks like harmful algal blooms a pregnancy test. It’s either ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ since the 2016 bloom positive or negative, for domoic acid.” was concentrated in The research is funded by Rhode Island the mid- and lower- Sea Grant and aims to better understand bay, with its longest and predict blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia. The duration in RI Sound. work is in response to an unprecedented To date, only two bloom that spanned from Long Island to plankton samples Maine in 2016. Although these species near the Jamestown Conanicut Marine and salinity will be used to improve model can be found throughout the bay and dock have shown positive results for estimates of nutrient intrusion flux. elsewhere at any time of year, 2016 saw the domoic acid. Mussels from both the “This approach to nutrient monitoring first-ever shellfishing ban in Narragansett sentinel stations, as well as wild popula- is similar to that on the West Coast, where Bay triggered by a toxic algal bloom. After tions near Fort Wetherill, have produced they have a narrow continental shelf and five tons of shellfish were recalled in Maine negative results. Maranda’s and Ullman’s an upwelling of nutrients from the deep that September, and a rapid increase work will eventually help determine the water. On the East Coast we have a broad of Pseudo-nitzschia was detected outside abundance and distribution of Pseudo- continental shelf and very dense cities, so of Newport Harbor in early October, a nitzschia and two other toxin-producing there’s more focus on land sources,” says shellfish ban was issued for Narragansett species (Alexandrium and Dinophysis) in Kevin Rosa, a Ph.D. candidate in physical Bay, the Sakonnet River, and Mount Hope relation to physical parameters within the oceanography working with Kincaid. “But Bay. Rhode Island required dealers to hold sound and lower Narragansett Bay, and there are a lot of nutrients in RI Sound. all shellfish until tests could be made to whether these species are introduced into It looks like the exchange between the determine whether the toxins were present the bay from the sound or whether they bay and the sound could be an important at levels of concern. develop into algal blooms from already nutrient source.” —AG

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Editor’s Note: In April, GSO’s Coastal Resources Center (CRC) received word from the U.S. Agency for International Development of a $25-million grant—the largest grant in URI history . Since then, a CRC team has arrived in the Philippines to begin laying the groundwork. Coastal Resource Managers to Lead Fisheries Program in Philippines

By Elizabeth Rau and Carol McCarthy

he Philippines is one of the largest fish producing nations in the world, employing millions and feeding the planet. Yet the industry is in peril, largely due to destructive fishing practices, typhoons and coastal Tdegradation. The Coastal Resources Center (CRC) at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography is leading an international initiative to “ …(Coastal Resources Center) will address these challenges by bringing coastal science and fishery reform to the island-dwelling country of implement a $25-million, five-year more than 100 million people. sustainable fisheries grant program Partnering with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ U.S. Agency for International called the USAID Fish Right Program.” Development (USAID) and a multi-sector consortium of local universities and nongovernmental organiza- tions, CRC will implement a $25-million, five-year sustainable fisheries grant program called the USAID Fish Right Program. “We’re honored to be leading this consortium, and I’m excited to work in a country that has a great commitment to sustainable fisheries and improving the livelihoods of its residents,” says Elin Torell, CRC director for international programs and the lead researcher for Fish Right. GSO Dean Bruce Corliss says the award demonstrates USAID’s confidence in CRC’s reputa tion for excellence in fisheries management worldwide.

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“ (Fish Right) will also work with national, regional and multinational partners to develop economic incentives for sustainable fisheries, coastal resource management and community building.”

“URI’s experience in the region, and demon- CRC’s history with the archipelagic state stretches strated success globally, most certainly factored greatly back to the 1980s, most recently in 2013. In 2014, the in USAID’s decision,” says Corliss. “CRC has a deep CRC received a $23,987,827 grant from the federal understanding of the science and a history of creating agency to lead a fisheries program in Ghana, which is local partnerships that build sustainable fisheries, flourishing today. That is the second largest grant in protect marine ecosystems and empower coastal URI history. communities.” In addition to the Philippines and Ghana, the Fish Right seeks to increase fish stocks in key areas center is working on fisheries programs in Senegal, in the Philippines by improving fisheries management Malawi, Madagascar, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and building the resilience of fishing communities. Guatemala and Honduras. These grants reflect URI’s The program is expected to benefit up to 2 million Filipinos in coastal communities in Calamianes, Southern Negros and the Visayan Sea. It will also ensure that women and other marginalized groups benefit and participate as equals in conserving and managing coastal and fisheries resources. Fish Right will work closely with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines Department of Agriculture. It will also work with national, regional and multinational partners to develop economic incentives for sustainable fisheries, coastal resource management and community building. The program will be directed in the Philippines by Nygiel Armada, a national leader in fisheries reform in his country. “I’m looking forward to energizing, focusing and guiding our consortium partners at this pivotal moment for the Philippines’ fisheries,” says Armada. Torell and Glenn Ricci, CRC program manager, will lead the Philippine program from URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus. Co-investigators are Michael Rice and Emi Uchida, professors in URI’s demonstrated expertise in promoting sustainable Above: The Fish Right College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and fishing practices to coastal communities throughout program is focusing on Brian Crawford, CRC senior coastal manager. the world. coastal communities The major partners on Fish Right are: Path J.P. Walsh, CRC director, GSO professor and an like these artisanal Foundation Philippines, a local nonprofit; Resonance investigator on Fish Right, says he is proud of “the fishermen. It’s goal is Social Impact Investment, a consulting group; dedicated staff that constructed this complex, well- to improve livelihoods NGOs for Fisheries Reform; Silliman University in coordinated proposal.” by building sustainable the Philippines; the University of the Philippines at “The award is a testimony to the passion, hard fisheries. Manila and Visayas; and the Sustainable Fisheries work and talent of the team and its partners,” he says. Partnership, a United States-based nonprofit. “Our center strives to help coastal communities.” —AG “Having strong local partners is a proven strategy for sustainability,” says Torell. “They are the backbone of this program, and we’re happy to have them on board.”

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he National Science Foundation (NSF) institutions,” said URI President David M. Dooley. has selected the East Coast Oceanographic “No doubt the new vessel will help researchers, edu- Consortium, led by the University of Rhode cators, students and the public gain a richer under- Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, standing of our planet and stimulate exploration that to operate a new oceanographic research will lead to discoveries we can’t yet imagine.” Tship, one of only three such vessels in the nation. “This is tremendous news for the Consortium Owned by NSF and valued at more than $100 members, URI, and the state of Rhode Island,” said million, the Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) GSO Dean Bruce Corliss. “This new ship and our will be constructed in Louisiana, delivered to Rhode Consortium will provide cutting-edge technology and exciting new opportunities for research, education and outreach in ocean science and exploration.” The vessel’s endurance, draft, ice classification “The award of the RCRV to the East Coast and science mission equipment are tailored for essential Oceanographic Consortium demonstrates the power of collaboration,” said Robert Munier, vice president science throughout the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas. for Marine Facilities and Operations at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). “Providing Island in 2021 and home-ported at URI’s Narragansett access to the sea for our scientists and engineers is a Bay Campus. key mission objective, which the Consortium will now “This significant investment in the nation’s be able to provide for decades to come.” scientific research recognizes URI’s half-century “This is particularly exciting news for the new of leadership in the field of oceanography and its School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering long-standing and fruitful collaborations with partner at University of New Hampshire,” said Larry Mayer,

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ADAPTED FROM GLOSTEN ASSOCIATES ADAPTED FROM GLOSTEN New Consortium Key to the New Era By Carol McCarthy

n January 2018, URI’s GSO formalized an agreement to create the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium (ECOC) to operate the research vessel Endeavor for its final years and to operate the new RCRV, which will also be based at URI’s INarragansett Bay Campus. “This new ship and our consortium will GSO Dean Corliss says establishing the ECOC provide cutting-edge technology and exciting with WHOI in Massachusetts and UNH—in collaboration with 13 associate members—creates new and new opportunities for research, education and exciting research, educational and outreach opportun- outreach in ocean science and exploration.” ities in ocean science and exploration. —Dean Bruce Corliss The creation of the ECOC is the culmination of five years of discussion with marine science institutions along the Eastern seaboard and builds on GSO’s reputation as one of the world’s premier academic institutions of oceanography and ocean exploration. director of the school. “As a member of the East “The objective of the Consortium is to enhance Coast Oceanographic Consortium with access to this and promote research and education among its mem- new state-of-the-art research vessel, UNH scientists bers,” says Corliss. “With decades of cumulative scien- will have an unprecedented opportunity to partic- tific experience and participation from dozens of the ipate in a range of important coastal and deep-sea world’s preeminent oceanographers, the Consortium research experiments.” has the expertise, resources and commitment to safely Continuing URI’s half-century of ocean-going and effectively manage a new research vessel to address research, the new vessel will support such scientific critical scientific questions worldwide.” studies as the tracking of ocean currents and fish “The Consortium creates a powerful model for migration, seafloor surveys in earthquake prone collaboration among leading New England ocean- regions of the world, conservation of marine ographic institutions,” says Robert Munier, vice mammals or food-web dynamics in the deep ocean. president at WHOI. “The consortium will create In addition, the ship will offer educational oppor- synergies of marine operational expertise and facilities tunities to teachers and students from high school with the goal of providing best-in-class access to the sea through the graduate level, as well as outreach to the for our scientists and engineers.” general public. “The Consortium offers the opportunity for an In 2017 NSF awarded the first of the three new already dynamic community of East Coast marine research vessels to Oregon State University, which scientists to work more closely together,” says Larry is overseeing design and construction of all three Mayer, professor and director of the School of Marine ships. Naval architecture and engineering consultant Science and Ocean Engineering and the Center Glosten Associates is developing the ship design, with for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at UNH. “The (continued on page 14) (continued on page 14)

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“ With decades of cumulative scientific experience and participation from dozens of the world’s preeminent oceanographers, the Consortium has the expertise, resources and commitment to safely and effectively manage a new research vessel…” —Dean Bruce Corliss

Dawn of a New Day New Consortium (continued from page 13) (continued from page 13)

input from leading oceanographers from efficiencies gained through this collabo- throughout the United States. The ships ration will have long-term impact on our will be built at Gulf Island Shipyards, LLC, ability to better understand our oceans and in Houma, La. their impact on our lives.” RCRVs conduct operations in the As head of the group, Corliss is respon- coastal ocean ranging from near-shore sible for the leadership, management environments to the outer continental and oversight of the entire Consortium. rise, as well as the open ocean. The GSO Director of Administration James vessel’s endurance, draft, ice classification Patti is the Consortium’s director; GSO and science mission equipment are Director of Facilities and Operations tailored for essential science throughout David Palazzetti is responsible for the the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas. management and planning of the ship’s NSF and other federal sponsors, operations; and GSO Director of Marine including NOAA and the Office of Naval Operations Thomas Glennon is responsi- Research, are likely to continue annual ble for the overall operation of the ship. funding of approximately $5 million to Two scientists from each of the major URI to operate the vessel. These funds institutions will serve on the group’s support the cost of operating a research policy board, setting long-range goals and vessel, which include crew, food, fuel, promoting collaborative and innovative planned maintenance, safety training, and research initiatives. ECOC’s science logistics. Scheduling will be coor- The Consortium’s program advisory Associate Members dinated through the University-National committee provides guidance on science, Oceanographic Laboratory System. technology, equipment and instrumen- Bermuda Institute of The URI vessel will replace R/V tation. The committee also implements Ocean Sciences Endeavor, a 185-foot ship that URI has strategy for supporting ocean research and Bigelow Laboratory for operated for more than 40 years and is education activities on board the vessel Ocean Sciences nearing the end of its useful life. Endeavor and explores opportunities for promoting Brown University has traveled more than one million nautical relationships among Consortium mem- miles from the Arctic to the South Pacific bers, as well as the broader ocean science Columbia University’s Lamont and nearly everywhere in between while community. Doherty Earth Observatory conducting more than 600 research In addition to ship operations, a major Florida Institute of Oceanography expeditions. goal of the group is to collaborate with Harvard University “As a floating laboratory and class- other institutions on research and educa- Ocean Exploration Trust room, Endeavor has been a tremendous tional programs. facility for the university and for the state “The Consortium is a great example of University of Maine and has raised URI and GSO’s profile genuine collaboration across institutional University of Massachusetts, internationally,” said Corliss. “Endeavor boundaries,” says Patti. “Together, URI, Boston has made important contributions to the UNH and WHOI have accounted for University of Massachusetts, state’s economy, and the work conducted more than a billion dollars in ocean science Dartmouth aboard the ship has advanced our under- research funding over the past five years.” University of Miami standing of oceanographic processes. We are pleased to continue this legacy over the University of Puerto Rico next 40 years with the new vessel.” University of South Florida

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The new ship—currently known The dynamic positioning system RCRV-2 will offer improved as RCRV-2—will be 199 feet long will enable RCRV-2 to remain science labs, more workspace, and 41 feet wide. in one exact spot for extended state-of-the-art technologies, periods and allows for use of and more comfortable berthing With a range of 5,400 nautical remotely operated vehicles. for a crew of 13 and up to miles, it can cruise at 11.5 knots 16 scientists. for up to 21 days.

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Recently, Aboard GSO reached out to Professor Robert Ballard for an update. In the following report, Ballard details the current mission, collab orations, and capabil ities of the ship E/V Nautilus and the teams with whom he has been working.

The Future of Ocean Exploration

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14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 16 9/19/18 7:31 PM the Future oF ocean exploratIon

By Robert D. Ballard

he partnership between the Center for Ocean Exploration (COE) at GSO and the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET)—which owns and operates exploration vessel Nautilus—brings together incredible talent and a unique Tset of assets that enables us to be global leaders in telepresence-enabled ocean exploration. As director of COE for the past 15 years and president of OET since its founding in 2008, I am committed to ensuring that this partnership continues to achieve the three primary goals of our mission for many years to come. The first goal of our mission is to EXPLORE—“to boldly go where no one has gone before on Planet Earth” in an ongoing effort to better understand the global ocean. Science-based exploration requires us to INNOVATE—our second goal—to develop the latest technologies that aid and enhance ocean exploration Above: ROV Hercules is loaded aboard E/V Nautilus. with an emphasis on advanced robotic vehicular Left: Aboard E/V Nautilus, the mobile command center systems. These systems can greatly increase on-time for ROV operations is housed in a dedicated van and is in and efficient exploration, and make it possible for constant operation. scientists and the public ashore to participate in our work, in real time, as it happens. Our third mission is to employ E/V Nautilus When our undersea ROVs Hercules and Argus and its technology to ENGAGE by enabling students, are exploring the depths of the sea, what they see with educators, and the public—nationally and globally— their high-definition camera systems is transmitted to participate in our exploration as it happens. through fiber-optic cable to a command center aboard E/V Nautilus, which is operating around “ …what (the ROVs) see with their high-definition the clock 24/7. Those camera systems is transmitted through fiber-optic images, as well as the voices of the Corps cable to a command center aboard E/V Nautilus, conducting the ROV which is operating around the clock 24/7.” dive operations, are sent via satellite to the Inner Space Center, where Each year, E/V Nautilus and its Corps of they are displayed and broadcast to the public online. Exploration spends approximately six months at sea exploring a variety of regions. In addition to E/V Phoning a Friend Nautilus, we are building a mobile remotely operated Inherent in our mission to explore is that we have no vehicle (ROV) system that can be deployed on other way of knowing what we will encounter on Nautilus ships. Beginning in late 2019, the ROV system will expeditions. As such, we often do not have the appro- make us a truly global exploratory program as opera- priate expert on board when we make a new discov- tions expand both geographically and chronologically. ery. We solve this dilemma through our Scientists The footprint of locations we’ll be capable of explor- Ashore network. This program functions much like ing will grow and the annual time at sea will increase the emergency room of a hospital and doctors on call. from six months to eight. When we make a discovery, no matter where we are, A critical player in this global, real-time program is no matter the time of day, or the depth of the ocean the Inner Space Center at GSO. This truly remarkable we are exploring in, we are able to connect to our facility has become the telepresence hub for the ocean- Scientists Ashore, our own doctors on call. Through ographic community. It connects via high-bandwidth telepresence, they can contribute to the investigation satellite link to E/V Nautilus and other exploration of the discovery in real-time and direct ROV dive and research vessels when they are at sea. operations from shore.

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For example, imagine it’s three in morning when Great Challenges Above left: At sea, a discovery is made far out at sea. The Watch Leader Each year our field season focuses on a growing E/V Nautilus deploys looks at his or her list of experts in biology, geology, number of programs. Our primary program, which state-of-the-art robotic archaeology, etc. He or she calls the relevant expert, is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric exploration systems. who may be sleeping in bed half way around the Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Above right: Aboard world, and brings them up to speed. Exploration and Research is to explore the 50 percent Nautilus, Ballard ‘Hello Dr. Girguis, this is the Nautilus calling. of America that lies unexplored beneath the sea. By discusses the current Would you please boot up your laptop, go to square miles, this is like conducting a modern-day mission with Larry NautilusLive.org and tell us what you think? While you version of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. However, Mayer, an OET board are doing that we will patch your phone into the ear of unlike Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, which member and professor robot pilot Bob Waters so you can decide what to do.’ were all men except for Sacagawea, our Corps of at University of New If it is an important discovery, that scientist will Exploration has a majority of women in positions of Hampshire. immediately travel to his or her university where we leadership and authority. have built miniature command centers similar to the Another important partner is NOAA’s Office of one aboard E/V Nautilus. Once in this remote center, National Marine Sanctuaries. This office utilizes E/V the expert is literally beamed aboard and can take over Nautilus each year to explore the deep regions of the ship operations to better understand what we have just country’s sanctuaries and better protect important discovered. marine species, ensure the sea can continue to feed our growing population, and discover lost chapters of Thinking Ahead human history. In addition to expanding the footprint of the Exploring our largely unknown ocean is one expertise we have available on the ship to conduct of the great challenges of our time—and great chal- science-based exploration, this telepresence technol- lenges breed mighty endeavors. At first glance, ocean ogy also allows us to involve the next generation of exploration is a simple task: determine a place in the explorers, scientists, engineers and educators in this ocean no human has ever been to or seen, go to that exciting real-time exploration. Included in our Corps place, and observe what is there. Yet, as the ocean- of Exploration at sea are educators and students exploration and ocean-science communities know, participating in OET’s fellowship and internship pro- executing at-sea missions is no simple task. With grams. Through their participation, embedded in the the talent that GSO and OET possess, and which science and operations team aboard and connecting is fostered in students, we aim to ensure the next to their communities through ship-to-shore broad- generation of ocean explorers and researchers are well casts in real-time, they serve as role models to their represented within the GSO alumni community. —AG colleagues and communities in our efforts to motivate the next generation into considering careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.

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14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 18 9/19/18 7:31 PM alumna proFIle Walking the Talk

Following her career to the boreal region of Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, Leanna Heffner is putting the “field” in fieldwork. By Sharron Luttrell

EANNA HEFFNER (PH.D. 2013) inform their decision making. spent her academic career “Right now, science communication is studying the impact of nutrient a huge topic and a huge field. We recognize pollution on coastal ecosystems. that for our society to continue to value Her research took her from the science, people need to be able to under- LAtlantic shoreline to the Pacific, down to stand it,” Heffner says. the lagoons of Louisiana, and ultimately Heffner’s passion for making science “ Right now, science to her dream job in the boreal forests of accessible to people outside the field took Alaska and western Canada. hold while studying under the late GSO communication is a huge Heffner’s shift from the continent’s Professor Scott Nixon, who taught his topic and a huge field. coastlines to its northern interior was students to include human activity as an less a departure from her studies than a essential component of coastal ecosystems. We recognize that for our chance to apply them. Heffner is partner- When Heffner entered the doctoral society to continue to ship director for the Northwest Boreal program in 2006, demand was growing Landscape Conservation Cooperative for science communicators, integrators, value science, people (NWB LCC), a job that calls for commu- and bridge builders—professionals who need to be able to nicating scientific data and working col- could cut across disciplines and interpret laboratively with diverse groups to tackle complicated information for the layperson. understand it.” critical environmental issues. One of Heffner, who had considered a career Heffner’s focuses while at the University in counseling before majoring in biology of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of at Vassar College, was drawn to the Oceanography was in using conservation challenge of working collaboratively with research to bring people together and the people who would benefit directly from

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Heffner earned her Ph.D. at GSO in 2013. She is now partnership director at the Northwest Boreal Landscape Conservation Cooperative, which extends across 330 million acres and brings together land managers, policy-makers, researchers, conservation groups and indigenous “ Instead of focusing on one parcel of land, one species, one body of water, you leaders to work on shared conservation goals. have to look at the entire landscape and bring together all of the people…”

conservation research. But it wasn’t until opportunities to work across disciplines teachers and their students. a field trip to the Providence waterfront and hone both her communication and Heffner earned her Ph.D. in 2013 after that she began to fully appreciate how research skills. She was a trainee in the defending her dissertation, “Responses of important—and complex—the task would National Science Foundation’s Integrative Nitrogen Cycling to Nutrient Enrichment be. She and her fellow students talked Graduate Education and Research in New England Salt Marshes over with shipyard workers, fishermen, a sewage Traineeship (IGERT) program at the an Annual Cycle.” After completing plant manager and a property developer, Coastal Institute, which tackled problems postdoctoral work at the Department of each of whom depended on the waterfront by bringing together diverse teams of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at for their livelihood. people with differing values and interests. Louisiana State University, she moved to Hearing their perspectives was “eye During summers, she volunteered with Alaska with her husband, Larry Pokladnik opening” for Heffner, who realized that the Metcalf Institute for Marine and to become science communications a successful solution to the problems Environmental Reporting, teaching jour- coordinator for the Western Alaska LLC. plaguing the waterfront would have to take nalists how to cover science. In turn, she It is one of five LLCs founded in 2011 into account the community’s economic learned how to communicate effectively and 2012 to bring together land managers, and cultural ties to the area. A strictly with the press. She spent several semesters policy makers, researchers, conservation conservationist approach that disregarded at the URI Coastal Resources Center on a groups and indigenous leaders to work human dependence on the coast would collaborative project that involved apply- together on shared conservation goals. be met with resistance and ultimately fail. ing techniques developed by behavioral “The idea being that instead of focusing on “You need to go and learn about their scientists to persuade homeowners on the one parcel of land, one species, one body worlds and then down the line you have coast to protect their property from climate of water, you have to look at the entire to start building relationships and find change impacts. As an outreach scientist landscape and bring together all of the peo- common ground,” she says. with the GSO Office of Marine Programs, ple who live and work on the land to figure At GSO, Heffner took advantage of Heffner brought coastal science to school out the major issues and work together

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“ Instead of focusing on one parcel of land, one species, one body of water, you have to look at the entire landscape and bring together all of the people…”

to come up with solutions,” Heffner says. This past summer, Heffner immersed The LCCs were originally funded by the herself in the indigenous culture, joining U.S Department of Interior but are now the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed dependent on public and private support. Council on a two-week canoe trip along In January, Heffner edged out 120 the Yukon River to take water samples, candidates to become partnership director meet with tribal councils to talk about at the NWB LCC. The cooperative covers mining and other issues, and to do 330 million acres in the boreal region of trainings for “citizen science.” Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, and “This has been like a dream job for Top: Heffner with her husband, Larry Pokladnik, Northwest Territories. me,” she says. “It’s doing science that is and her dogs, Khody and Kush. Above: On the Heffner spends her days meeting with integrated with people’s values, belief sys- Kenai Peninsula across Kachemak Bay; the people representing various interests in tems and cultures … It has been the most receding glacier in the background is testimony the region, discussing and crafting strategy, humbling, cool, challenging experience of to rapid change in a fragile ecosystem. fundraising and networking. Her studies at my life.”—AG GSO prepared her well. In particular, her conversations with Providence waterfront workers over a decade ago primed Heffner to collaborate with indigenous groups, whose generations-long connection to the land and rich knowledge is invaluable when seeking solutions to critical environmental issues. “It blows my expertise out of the water,” she says.

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Director of Marine Operations Thomas Glennon, left, discusses shore-side improvements with Director of Facilities and Operations, David Palazzetti. ALEX DECICCIO

The clock is running to rebuild infrastructure that makes GSO a home port.

before the arrival of the university’s first Utility connections from the ship to ship, Trident. The rest of the dock consists the pier will be relocated to accommodate of catwalks and dolphins that enable the those on the new ship. But no dredging crew to access the mooring lines and shore will be required, since the draft of the new Make power connections at the bow. ship is just 15 feet, four feet less than that “Equipment and supplies for both the of the Endeavor. Trident and Endeavor were only loaded on The new pier and approach road will the stern,” he said. “No heavy gear had also be raised by a few feet because rising to be loaded on the bow, so the dock was sea levels, higher tides and more severe never extended the full length of the ship. storms have frequently caused flooding in Fast But the new ship is configured differently, recent years. By Todd McLeish so we’ll need to be able to drive a truck to “During heavy storms, our entire pier the bow to load and unload supplies.” has been under water a number of times, The existing pier is an L-shaped and the road also gets flooded,” Palazzetti hen the new research vessel structure just 85-feet long on its outboard said. “It’s been almost a routine occurrence arrives in 2021 to replace the face. The new pier will be T-shaped and during nor’easters. Raising the pier higher R/V Endeavor, it will dock at 200-feet long, enabling cranes on the will not only get it out of the range of a new pier and be serviced by forecastle and stern to load food, supplies storms and higher tides, but it will also Wnew support facilities that will soon be and science equipment at both ends of the ease the loading of the new ship, which under construction. new 199-foot vessel. has a higher main deck than Endeavor.” “We need to start working on these The new pier will also be designed to To accomplish all of this work, the facilities immediately,” said David accommodate the mooring of a visiting existing pier will be completely removed. Palazzetti, director of facilities and opera- boat up to 68-feet long, temporarily, along The timbers that support the pier date to tions at the Narragansett Bay Campus. its shore-side face. at least the 1960s, and wood-boring marine “It’s going to be a race to see if we can In addition, the pier will be equipped organisms have taken their toll. The new build a new pier before they finish building with an enclosed structure to house pier is expected to feature steel-encased the new ship.” instruments sampling bay water year-round concrete piles driven into the seafloor and Palazzetti explains the existing pier through access panels in its floor and a a decking of reinforced concrete. is too short for the new vessel. The wide small davit crane to allow easy launching According to Palazzetti, none of this section of the dock that accommodates and retrieval of research equipment and work can commence until a designer and vehicle access has been in place since instrumentation. contractors are hired and permits are

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secured from R.I.’s Coastal Resources Management Council, the Army Corps Advancing GSO, Phase I: of Engineers, and other agencies. He anticipates the entire process will take Implementing the Narragansett Bay Campus Master Plan approximately two-and-a-half years and cost about $10.5 million. In November 2018, there will be a These faculty work on research State of Rhode Island ballot initiative and development of autonomous Consolidating and Upgrading requesting voter approval of $70 underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely While that project is under way, a new home for marine operations will be con- million of general obligation bonds operated vehicles (ROVs), sea structed. The 12,250-square-foot facility will in support of our higher education gliders and related technologies with be occupied by the department responsible institutions. Of that total, $45 million broad application in national security, for operations and maintenance of the has been designated a down payment biology, archaeology and seafloor vessel. This building will also accommodate equipment assembly and storage areas that for renewal of URI’s Narragansett Bay mapping. The high-bay space that are currently located nearby in smaller Campus. The remainder has been facilitates rapid prototyping and buildings. directed to projects at Rhode Island collaboration with industry will figure “The new center for marine operations College. prominently in this new building’s will help GSO make the most of the new vessel with larger and much improved design. We expect this building to spaces for the marine offices,” said Thomas Upon passage of the referendum, we serve as a center of excellence in Glennon, director of marine operations. intend to invest the bond proceeds, Rhode Island—a building in which “Along with more efficient office and combined with at least $5 million in essential contri butions to the growth conference spaces, it will also have much private support, on construction of needed additional space for storage, spare of the state’s Blue Economy will be parts, and areas that support the staging of a new 20,000-square-foot ocean made. upcoming science missions.” technology building ($20-million). The center for marine operations will reconstruction of the GSO pier to Enhancements to our pier are critical be located on Pier Road adjacent to the accommodate the newly-awarded to accommodate the new RCRV. marine logistics building. It will feature offices on the second floor, high-bay work research vessel ($10.5 million) and More about that project is presented space on the first floor with an electronics construction of a new building for in the article at left. Most notably, shop and machine shop, and large staging marine operations ($7 million) that the existing pier—built in the 1960s— areas where gear can be worked on and will house land-based personnel and will be raised several feet to anticipate prepared for deployment at sea. Funding for the marine operations logistical support for the research the flooding that occurs during building is expected to come through a vessel. The remaining funds are extreme weather events and that can bond referendum to be voted on by the destined to cover other critical campus only grow worse and more frequent. Rhode Island electorate in November. enhancements, renovations and Nurturing Innovation planning for Phase II construction. The building for marine operations will An ocean technology building—part of These enhancements include design replace a facility that is more than 50 the Narragansett Bay Campus Master and engineering work, revised layout years old and has been temporarily Plan—will also be constructed. This facility and construction of roads and parking housing Director Tom Glennon and will house and empower cooperative efforts his staff, as well as the team of marine between marine operations and scientists areas, and upgrades to utilities. in oceanography and ocean engineering technicians who are essential to sci- who conduct research and development on A building especially designed for entific operations aboard Endeavor. remotely operated vehicles, autonomous innovation in ocean technology is vehicles and other underwater robotics a focal point of new construction We look forward to sharing news on systems that can be tested and operated the progress of these initiatives, and from the new vessel. in Phase I. Research laboratories Funding for an ocean technology for faculty in GSO and Ocean appreciate your continued support of building also depends on passage of Engineering will be located here. GSO. the bond referendum. Details on these game-changing facilities will be featured —James Patti, Director of Administration, GSO in upcoming issues of Aboard GSO. —AG

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14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 23 9/19/18 7:31 PM Alumni Support Shows Strong Growth By Ellen Anderson

eartfelt thanks to all who donated to the computer equipment to support student research. Each year, the GSO GSO Fund in Fiscal Year 2018. Your In the spring and summer 2018, students traveled Fund, in part, supports generosity led to an increase for the annual to conferences in Santa Barbara, Calif., Boulder, graduate students fund by more than 80 percent from Colo., Lucca (Barga), Italy, Atlantic City, N.J., and to attend scientific $85,500 in FY17 to $153,500 in FY18. Davos, Switzerland, to present their work to their meetings, such as the HThe value of this level of support is illustrated when future colleagues and to meet potential collaborators. American Geophysical considering that, at URI’s current spend rule of 3.3 Conferences attended included the 148th American Union Fall Meeting, to percent, it would require an endowment valued at Fisheries Society Meeting; a numerical modeling work- present their research. $4.65 million to generate this same amount of funds. shop in Atmospheric Chemistry; the Kavli Institute Equally impressive is that the for Theoretical Physics Program: number of donors increased by Planetary Boundary Layers in nearly 10 percent. Every penny Your generosity led to an Atmospheres, Oceans, and Ice on raised is critically important— increase for the annual Earth and Moons; the POLAR the GSO Fund makes possible fund by more than 80 2018 Open Sciences Conference; all manner of experiences and and the 2018 Gordon Research opportunities that otherwise percent from $85,500 in Seminar on Marine Microbes. would not happen. FY17 to $153,500 in FY18. Another call for support will One clear example of the be issued to the GSO graduate GSO Fund’s impact is illus- students in early fall. Many of these trated by the work of the Alumni Awards Committee.* awards will aid students who will attend the American This group of dedicated alumni met early in the spring Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in December 2018 to to provide students with funding for equipment and present posters or papers there. travel to meetings. The requests for funds are solicited Your contributions to the GSO Fund are a direct in the fall and spring and provide students with extra- investment in the next generation of ocean scientists ordinary opportunities to enhance their research or who will be called on to address the challenges facing present work at conferences and meetings. These funds our oceans, both here in Rhode Island and around the come through the generosity of GSO Fund donors. globe. Thank you for your continued support. —AG This spring, funds were distributed for both domestic and international travel, as well as for

* Alumni Awards Committee: Walter Berry (Ph.D. 1987), Doug Cullen (M.S. 1983), Kathleen Donohue (Ph.D. 1996), Matthew Horn (Ph.D. 2011), and Autumn Oczkowski (Ph.D. 2009).

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14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 24 9/19/18 7:31 PM A Special Invitation to GSO Alumni: October 13 Open House on the Narragansett Bay Campus

Please join us for a networking brunch in the Trident Room on the second floor of Watkins, from 8:30 to10:00 a.m., to meet students and reminisce with faculty and staff and one another. The Trident Room will be alumni headquarters for the entire day— a spot where alumni can duck in for a breather. We want your graduate school to feel like home throughout this special day!

The GSO Open House 2018 will also be a day of celebration in honor of the newly awarded regional class research vessel. Compiled by Veronica Berounsky

At the end of the day, after exhibits close at 4:00 p.m., there will be a Richard (Dick) Payne (Ph.D.1972) wrote that he is “still active but not in oceanography.” In July he left the board of The 300 Committee, on the Knauss Terrace at the top of the quad celebratory reception his local land trust, after serving for 12 years, but will remain on two for all volunteers, the GSO Advisory Council members, and all GSO of its committees. He also recently became active in Citizens Climate alumni in attendance. “Informal” is the name of the game. So please Lobby, a nonprofit nationwide organization attempting to enact join us and relax after a day of showcasing all that is special about legislation to put a fee on carbon. He continues to play in his local the Graduate School of Oceanography! chamber orchestra and in a woodwind trio. David Morgan (Ph.D. 1973), who has been retired for some time now, was Director of the Kentucky Division of Water, responsible for all water issues in the state. He worked for the Department for Environmental Protection in Kentucky for 23 years after teaching at the University of Notre Dame for eight years. David is now chairman of the Owen County Tourism Commission and co-owner with his wife Joy of “Serenity Woods Cottage,” a secluded retreat in the woods of Northern Kentucky designed for getaway weekends (see serenitywoodscottage.com). He is also enjoying four grandchildren. Douglas (Lee) Cone’s (M.S. 1974) interest in marine fossils stems back 30 years. For the past decade, Lee has spent many hours on the bottom of the Cooper and Edisto Rivers in South Carolina, searching gravel beds for the abundance of fossils waiting to be uncovered. These finds can date from the Eocene, but more commonly represent Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene marine deposits. Terrestrial Pleistocene fossils also appear on the bottom of the black-water rivers. As Lee describes it, “Black-water diving is an adventure on its own since visibility is usually less than a foot, but the history scattered on the bottom more than makes up for the inconvenience of the conditions. The exhilaration of finding an archaeocete tooth

MICHAEL SALERNO MICHAEL or a 5-inch C. megalodon tooth cannot easily be duplicated.” Lee’s finds even include a Miocene whale fossil (pictured at right) that now resides on display in the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History at the College of Charleston. For the past four years, Lee has worked with the FOSSIL Project (University of Florida- Paleontology) as an amateur contributor and supporter of myFOSSIL and has presented at regional Geological Society of America conventions. Lee adds, “My fondest memories in my education at GSO are of Dr. Saila (my major professor) and Dr. McMaster (geological oceanography). I loved being a teacher myself.” William A. Richkus (Ph.D. 1974) recently retired from Versar, Inc. in Columbia, Md. David Schultz (Ph.D. 1974) says that “the only change to my info is that I have retired after 31 years building custom cabinetry, specializing in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and built-in bookcases

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Richard (Rick) Beach (M.S. 1981) and developing scientifically based worked for a few years with smaller advocacy positions used to support companies to expand environmental allocation of liabilities. Rick has also been laboratory capabilities and then morphed doing mentoring work to train younger into more consulting work developing people on the fate and transport of and leading technical practices (Water sediments and how contaminants should Resources, Ports and Harbors, be evaluated. Wastewater, Contaminated Sediments) Daniel (Dan) O’Neill (M.S.1981) for several companies. He has worked retired three years ago from working on both sides of the regulatory table as an Electronic Engineer for the Naval under USACE and USEPA contracts, and Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in contracts with the regulated community Newport, R.I. He and his wife Donna are and attorneys. As Sediment Practice two of the mainstays in the band “Tool Leader and Associate Principal & Vice Box” which a number of GSO alums have President of GZA GeoEnvironmental enjoyed dancing to at the Narragansett in Philadelphia, Pa., he has focused Café in Jamestown and other local venues.

and display shelving, and am working on the ‘to-do’ list.” He and his wife, Barbara, Above, David Schultz have been involved in the Connecticut with his wife, Barbara; Cactus and Succulent Society for many years and have taken on the task of right, Lorrie and Lloyd selling books for the society. DeKay, while on a trip to the Grand Canyon David Lai (M.S. 1976, Ph.D. 1983), spouse of Sally Lawrence (see note), with Dave Muerdter recently retired from his position as and Nancy Penrose, a Research Scientist with Northwest point out the “Great Research Associates of Bellevue, Wash. Unconformity”; below, Ping-Tung Shaw (M.S. 1976) lives in Rick Beach; far right, Raleigh, N.C. and has been retired from Robert Dwyer with his North Carolina State University since wife, Kathy. January 2017. Robert Dwyer (Ph. D. 1980) will be retiring in early 2019 from his position Dale T. Brown (M.S. as Associate Director for Environment in 1982) recently retired from the Health, Environment and Sustainable Community Development at Development of the International Copper the City of Gloucester and is Association. He reports that “in getting enjoying having more time files together for my successor, I realized to sail and travel with her that I would be turning over data from my husband Curt (and sometimes S.M.thesis at MIT, a study of the benthic with kids and grandkids). biodiversity in Penobscot Bay, near the discharge of a defunct copper-zinc Loretta (Lorrie) Sullivan mine. I began that study in 1969 and DeKay (M.S. 1982) and it’s still of active interest.” Robert has Lloyd DeKay (M.S. 1982) been with ICA for 18 years, funding and have enjoyed 11 years in participating in research programs that the Pacific Northwest since have resulted in over 400 publications, moving from Houston after including those of over 50 graduate Lloyd retired from Chevron. students. Next, Robert will be starting Lloyd is busy with community a small consultancy, tentatively named projects, building websites Risk Decision Sciences LLC, with the for non-profits, and leading objective of supporting collaborators in geology trips in the Columbia using the best science to help choose River Gorge for the Ice among options with various associated Age Floods Institute. Lorrie risks (environmental, financial, etc.) all is in her second term as subject to uncertainty. He adds, “My a Washington Governor’s wife, Kathy, and I continue to live happily appointee to the 13-member on Cape Cod, and hope to continue Columbia River Gorge traveling. We’ll also be visiting our kids Commission, which oversees and grandsons. We’re immensely proud land use in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the of them, who each managed to emulate on evaluating upland sources of largest NSA in the country. Both Lloyd my science and engineering background, contamination, assessing potential and Lorrie also like discovering evidence plus Kathy’s 29 years of teaching” contributions to Superfund river sites, of the Missoula Floods on camping

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trips to eastern Washington, as well of birds. For more info, please visit continue to teach a graduate course in as camping on the coast. They report lesliebulion.com. Leslie also notes that environmental analysis at the University that they really enjoyed seeing familiar she resides in Connecticut and will “zip up of Massachusetts, Lowell, at least for this faces at the February GSO reception in to Rhode Island whenever I get a chance: fall. Jamie is looking forward to “time for Portland. They see Dave Muerdter (Ph.D. true beaches, the coastal salt ponds, family, volunteering and relaxing. I also 1982) and Nancy Penrose fairly regularly, sweet, salty oysters—the ‘real’ shore!” hope to stop by GSO more often and visit and shared a memorable week rafting my major professor, Candace Oviatt, who Peter Sorensen (Ph.D. 1984) reports through Grand Canyon on a geology is still going strong.” that he is on sabbatical leave from the trip with them a few years ago. Lorrie University of Minnesota through August, Carol Fairfield (M.S. 1987) moved from adds, “Life is good, and would only be 2018 at the Institute for the Oceans and New Hampshire to Anchorage, Alaska better if both of our daughters didn’t live Fisheries, University of British Columbia. about five years ago and she writes on the East Coast. We hope to stop by that she “LOVES this immense state! (Narragansett) on a future trip back east.” Stephen (Steve) Dickson (M.S. 1986) So much beauty and lots of ‘frontier’ reports that he was a student of Ed Sybil P. Seitzinger (Ph.D. 1982) moved areas to explore.” Carol works for the Laine’s and after Ed moved to Bowdoin to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada Bureau of Ocean Energy Management College, Steve took a job at the Maine a few years ago to become the Director (formerly Minerals Management Service) where she heads up the state marine mammal research program. They do environmental studies to support offshore (outside state waters) oil, gas and mineral exploration and development. Carol remarks, “Luckily not much is happening in the offshore Alaskan waters relative to conventional nor renewable energy, though much is ongoing on the terrestrial front. We study the environment prior to offshore leasing, to attempt to remove sensitive areas. Our research programs have greatly expanded our knowledge of this unique and sensitive ecosystem. I have the added benefit of dealing with the Native subsistence activities to ensure our research does not impact these activities. Nothing like a good meeting with whalers, with an actual harpoon on the stage, to set the tone for many a meeting!” Carol also volunteers of the Pacific Institute for Climate Geological Survey in February 1986 for the Iditarod dog race and has been Solutions at the University of Victoria. and has been there ever since. Steve doing work on the trail, and she is excited The institute has a “global vision of stayed enrolled at GSO with Robert about getting to visit small villages along net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (Bob) McMaster as his major professor. the Yukon and interior Alaska. As she by mid-century” and hopes to achieve He continued his education at the sums up her life in Alaska, “there is this by producing “leading climate University of Maine’s School of Marine always fun to be had up here!” solutions research that is actively used Science and in 1999 he received his Amy Bower (Ph.D. 1988) took on by decision-makers to develop effective Ph.D. Steve reports, “With Sea Grant the role of chair for the Department of mitigation and adaptation policies and funding, I started (with two UME faculty) Physical Oceanography at Woods Hole actions.” Previous to moving to Canada, a citizen-science beach profiling program Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), as Sybil was living in Stockholm, Sweden in Maine that has been running almost of August 1, 2018, for the next four-year and working as the Executive Director of 20 years. This has now caught on in New term. Her husband continues to work as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Hampshire and a few other states. John the manager of the Shipboard Scientific Programme (IGBP). Lillibridge (an old GSO housemate) and Services Group at WHOI, and their Linda Stathoplos (Ph.D. 1989) retired to Sally Lawrence (M.S. 1982), spouse 16-year-old daughter Sara will be a junior Wells, Maine and they are now profiling of David Lai (see note), has retired and at Falmouth High School next year. beaches here. Here is some more about says she is “having a great deal of fun as the beach profiling and you’ll see me in Linda Stathoplos (Ph.D. 1989), after a volunteer naturalist!” the video: umainetoday.umaine.edu/ many years in private industry and Leslie Bulion (M.S. 1984) writes that, stories/2018/sea-monsters.” 15 years of federal service at NOAA “My graduate studies at GSO have led to managing the operation and sustainment James (Jamie) Maughan (Ph.D. 1986) ongoing opportunities to share the love for of NOAA’s weather and sea-level is happy to report that he “finally retired studying science and nature with young monitoring satellites, retired in December in July 2018 and, except for finishing a readers. My writing research always 2017. She and her husband, former GSO lecture series I was in the middle of, I includes my two favorite activities from research associate in Tom Rossby’s lab am done with that side of my career.” GSO days—hands-on work and talking John Lillibridge, have retired to a house Jamie was consulting for CH2M Hill with scientists in the field!” Her newest in Wells, Maine, right on the water. They and ended his 25 years there in July as book, “Leaf Litter Critters,” is a humorous, keep busy as Southern Maine volunteer Vice President for Water Resources. He poetic tour through the brown food web beach profilers (pictured at left), feeding was also an expert consulting with the for readers ages 7-12. Next March brings the results to GSO alum Steve Dickson, U.S. Department of Transportation on “Superlative Birds,” a poetry collection who works for the Maine Geological environmental science and policy. He will celebrating the “world record holders” Survey. They do profiles in Ogunquit and

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Jennifer Hess (Ph.D. 1991) lives in Rocks: Learning About Geology with Pennsylvania with her spouse, Rick. Building Stone. The book is a field guide They have three children, two of whom to American building stone organized have “flown the coop and are gainfully by physiographic province and age. It employed in Atlanta, Ga., and Oakland, includes descriptions of 194 American Calif.” Their son has special needs and stones and 21 common imports, and it lives at home with them. Rick writes, combines a description of the evolution “Our kids wanted to know where mom of the North American continent and and dad met and fell in love. So in May regional geology with stone buildings of last year, we all flew into Providence and architectural styles around the and drove down to GSO. We stood on country. There are also chapters on plate the deck of Mosby Center where we met tectonics and geological time, quarrying, in 1981. The view was the same. But minerals and rocks, and architectural the campus and the Horn building where terms. The goal of the book is to make my old office and lab (Michael Pilson’s) geology more immediate and relevant to existed had changed drastically.” students who live in or near cities. Emily says that these stones are an underused William G. (Wge) Ellis, Jr. (Ph.D. 1992) resource for teaching geology. reports that he is still at the University of Maine as an associate professor of Christopher (Chris) J. Calabretta oceanography and the associate director (Ph.D. 2009) continues working as of the School of Marine Sciences. an environmental scientist in the Environmental Restoration Division of Barbara Dorf (Ph.D.1994) retired at the Leidos in Newport, R.I. About five years end of June from her position with the ago, Science Applications International Texas Park and Wildlife Department in Corporation (SAIC) split into two Rockport, Texas. companies. One company kept the SAIC John Sifling, (M.S. 1997) recently retired name and the second, which included the as Vice President for Fleet Security marine science group, changed its name for Princess Cruises in California and to Leidos. is self-employed as a maritime safety, Stephen G. Smith (M.S. 2010) writes security, and environmental consultant that he received his Ph.D. from North for Broad Reach Maritime, LLC, Carolina State in May 2016 and is now a broadreachmaritime.com. visiting assistant professor in the Center Jennifer L. Beauregard (Ph.D. 2001) for Integrative Geosciences at University resides in Woods Hole, Mass., and of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn. Wells. See details at seagrant.umaine. commutes to Boston where she has Matthew (Matt) Horn (Ph.D. 2011) edu/extension/beach-profile-monitoring/ been a science professor at Berklee has worked for RPS Ocean Science, home. It was recently announced that the College of Music for the past eight years. the Wakefield office of the international Southern Maine Beach Profile Monitoring She writes, “Oh, Berklee is an amazing company that offers consulting services Program won the 2018 Northeast Sea place! You have to get used to hearing and marine technology solutions and Grant Regional Outstanding Outreach 10 different songs being played at the was formerly known as Applied Science Achievement Award. Congratulations to same time as you walk down the hall. I Associates. In October 2017, he was Linda and John and their fellow beach love it!” She applied to Berklee because promoted from Senior Scientist to a profilers! her husband had already accepted a job new role as a Managing Director. He at WHOI, and she was desperately trying Veronica M. Berounsky (Ph.D. 1990), is one of three directors who, along to find a job nearby. Jennifer recalls, “It started the new column on the GSO with the Executive Vice President, form was a happy accident finding their ad. I website, the “Bay Campus (B)log” in the executive management team. Matt convinced them that the Earth sciences March. Check it out at: uri.edu/gso/. The writes, “Thankfully, I still maintain a good was a good starting point, and here I goal of the blog is to increase awareness deal of technical work and am still very am! We just hired our second full-time [email protected] and understanding of what we do at the much involved in projects, testimony, and science professor.” Bay Campus and why. Fellow alums publishing. However, I have the added Please email your might particularly enjoy the Bay Campus Sunshine Menezes (Ph.D. 2005), fun of managing a team of about 20 latest news to this history pieces. She is also continuing executive director of the Metcalf Institute scientists. It’s been a wild and crazy ride, address. GSO alumni her research on Pettaquamscutt Estuary, for Marine and Environmental Reporting, but exciting and fast-paced.” around the globe are commonly known as Narrow River, in two moved to URI’s main campus last year, leading wonderful, Kelly L. Canesi, (M.S. 2015) has a new directions: examining the anoxic basins along with the institute to become part amazing lives. We want position as associate director, Foundation as they change over the seasons and of the College of the Environment and to hear the stories, and Corporate Relations at the Marine analyzing the URI Watershed Watch Life Sciences (CELS). Sunshine is now and print the stories. Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods water quality data with fellow GSO-er the first clinical associate professor of Annette DeSilva (see articles and Hole, Mass. While you’re at it, environmental communication. PowerPoint presentations on narrowriver. please confirm your Sierra Davis (M.S. 2017) started a org). Veronica says, “when I am out Emily Burns (Ph.D. 2007) is a geology preferred email NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship sampling I often think of the many GSO professor at the Community College of address. We have position with the state of Delaware. She alums who have studied Narrow River Rhode Island where she teaches classes a few stories of our says, “I value my education and through the years.” in natural disasters, urban geology, own to share. professional network built at GSO.” ArcGIS, and oceanography. In January she published a book called The City

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Dean Bruce Corliss writes: was promoted to associate professor he developed times series of “It is with great sadness that I in 1983, professor in 1987 and was particle fluxes in the Cariaco Basin, pass along news of the passing a Carolina Distinguished Professor Santa Barbara Basin and the Gulf of Professor Robert Thunell since 1992. He served USC in a of Mexico and made significant on Monday, July 30, as a result number of capacities, including contributions to understanding of cancer. He was 67 years old. being Director of Graduate Studies, oceanic sedimentation and climatic Dr. Thunell was a Chair of the Department implications. He advised 22 M.S. Carolina Distinguished of Geological Sciences, students, 16 Ph.D. students, 12 Professor at the Director of the Marine post-doctoral investigators and many University of South Science Program, undergraduate students during his Carolina and an Director of the School time at USC. alumnus of the of the Earth, Ocean and Graduate School of Environment, and was “Regarded internationally as a Oceanography at the Senior Associate Dean leader in paleoceanography and University of Rhode for Natural Sciences marine geology, he was a Fellow of Island. since 2011. Among the Geological Society of America, his many professional American Association for the “Dr. Thunell graduated activities, he served Advancement of Science, and the from Brown University in 1973 with a as associate editor for Marine American Geophysical Union. In B.A. in geology/biology and earned Micropaleontology, Journal of 2013, he received the University of a M.S. degree in 1976 and a Ph.D. Foraminiferal Research and the Rhode Island’s Graduate School in 1978 from GSO. As a graduate Geological Society of America of Oceanography Distinguished student, he studied with Professor Bulletin and was the second editor of Achievement Award in recognition of James Kennett and wrote a number Paleoceanography, a journal started his academic contributions. of landmark papers on the influence by James Kennett at GSO. of Cenozoic volcanism on climate “Widely considered one of the change. Following graduation from “During his career, he was a prolific outstanding paleoceanographers of GSO, he was a post-doctoral fellow researcher with over 225 publica- his generation, he was a mentor to at the Woods Hole Oceanographic tions, including 18 in Science and many students, a role model to an Institution, working with William Nature, and focused on understand- entire generation of young ocean Berggren on Cenozoic planktonic ing modern sedimentary processes scientists and an inspiration to his foraminifera and Susumu Honjo and the application of proxies to many friends and colleagues. He on ocean sedimentation. He joined the marine sediment record to was devoted to his wife, Maureen, the University of South Carolina in reconstruct past ocean and climate and their three sons, Matthew, 1979 as an assistant professor of conditions. With his research group, Thomas, and Daniel.” geology and marine science and graduate students and colleagues,

Nancy I. Craig (M.S. 1989), 56, resources specialist at Broward passed away unexpectedly on County Environmental Protection February 19, 2018, in Pompano in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. Beach, Fla. Nancy was a master’s While there, she was involved with student of Candace Oviatt and developing a monitoring program in carried out research on the bivalve Florida in and outside of the barrier Nucula annulata during the islands to evaluate the danger of nutrient enrichment experiments land-based contamination on reef in the mesocosms of the Marine resources. Her funeral on March 9 Ecosystems Research Lab (MERL). in her hometown of Garden City on Nancy went on to get her Ph.D. Long Island was attended by several in 1998 with Glen Lopez at the of her MERL colleagues, Lynn State University of New York at Beatty (Ph.D.1991), Laura Reed and Stony Brook and followed that Eric Klos. In the MERL shop, after defending with a postdoc at Beaufort, N.C. her M.S. thesis, Nancy celebrates For the past several years she with her trademark exuberance. had been employed as a natural

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14760_AGSO_Summer2018.indd 3 9/19/18 7:31 PM Office of the Dean 15 South Ferry Road Narragansett, RI 02882

Saturday, October 13, on the shores of Narragansett Bay, discover another world.

GSO Open House 10:00 to 4:00 • Rain or Shine Tours • Exhibits • Family-fun!

For info and pre-registration, visit www.uri.edu/gso

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