RHODE ISLAND BLUE MINDS - URI scientists answer the powerful call of the ocean by making it their workplace, playground, and sacred space - The ...
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RHODE ISLAND
UNIVERSITY OF
SUMMER 2019
MAGAZINE
BLUE
MINDS
URI scientists answer the powerful
call of the ocean by making it
their workplace, playground,
and sacred space.
Aperture
THE ENDLESS BOND BETWEEN
MOTHER AND CHILD
Matthew Palasciano ’20
A young macaque clings to its mother
at the local watering hole in Ubud, Bali,
Indonesia, where Palasciano studied ALL THE WATER RETURNS TO HALL
biodiversity, hydrology, and water Yeqiao Wang, Professor of Natural
resource management. He and two Resources Science
other students studied deforestation
This rural village home in southern
and illegal logging in Indonesia to
China is designed to collect rain-
understand the destruction these
water from all directions through a
activities cause for wildlife and its
rectangular opening in its sloped
habitat. Palasciano is studying
roof. The water is stored in a stone
geological oceanography and plans
cellar underneath the central hall. This
to pursue a master’s degree in coastal
photograph showcases the wisdom of
geology and business administration.
a sustainable rural routine presented
He hopes to work in cultural resource
by this 100-year-old eco-friendly
management and as a professional
house. Professor Wang is leading and
shark diver in the Bahamas. Palasciano
engaging more than 300 scholars and
is from Thomaston, Connecticut.
practitioners from URI and around the
His photo won first place in URI's
world to develop a multivolume book
Research and Scholarship Photo
series entitled The Handbook of
Contest this spring.
Natural Resources. This photo was
taken during one of his field trips for
the series. Professor Wang is originally
from China. His photo won second
place in URI's Research and Scholar-
ship Photo Contest this spring.
YELLOW WARBLER
Stephen Brenner ’18
Taken in Manitoba, Canada, this photo depicts
research with URI‘s McWilliams Lab in Biological and
Environmental Sciences monitoring the demo-
graphics, breeding success, and growth rates of long-
distance migratory birds at the far northern reaches of
their range in shifting habitats and climate. Brenner is
from Buffalo, New York.
These photos by FUNGI GUTTATION
Brenner, Kirk, and Riley Kirk, Ph.D. ’23
This photograph shows a frost bolete mushroom that
Jaacks received
is experiencing a rapid growth phase. The yellow
honorable mentions droplets on the pores are not dew, but the result of a
in URI's Research process known as guttation: when a mushroom
exudes fluid during high metabolic times. After this
and Scholarship photo was taken in the Great Swamp Management
Photo Contest Area in West Kingston, Rhode Island, the mushroom
was collected and brought back to the laboratory for
this spring.
extraction and isolation experiments. Kirk, who is
pursuing a doctoral degree in natural product
chemistry, is from Charlestown, Rhode Island.
RAINING SPARKS
Laird French ’21
This image of burning steel wool
being spun on a rope was taken
using an 8-second shutter speed
as part of a project for ART 214,
or Photography 1, for a long-
exposure photo assignment.
French is pursuing a bachelor’s
degree in marketing with an REEF MANTA
expected minor in fine arts Jason Jaacks, Assistant Professor of Journalism
and plans to move to Hawaii
Jaacks captured this image while free diving in Raja
and become a professional
Ampat, Indonesia. The reef manta was cruising
photographer/videographer
through a cloud of plankton. Jaacks was working on a
after graduation. French is from
short film about sustainable fisheries practices in
Kingston, Rhode Island. His
Indonesia, as part of a multiyear visual study of the
photo won third place in URI's
biodiversity of the Coral Triangle region of the South
Research and Scholarship
Pacific. Jaacks is originally from Denver, Colorado.
Photo Contest this spring.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 3
Inside
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE • VOL. 1, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019
CURRENTS F E AT U R E S NET WORK
10 18 46
In Brief COVER STORY: Class Notes
URI news to keep you Blue Minds
in-the-know. What is blue mind? 52
We’ll explain. And we’ll Field Notes
11 introduce you to some Advice and insights from
Why I Teach of URI’s bluest minds— Cortney Nicolato ’01,
Pharmacy professor a group of scientists president and CEO of
Erica Estus helps future who call the ocean their United Way, Rhode
pharmacists develop home, their workplace, Island.
empathy. their playground, and
their sacred space. 53
12 Close Up
Bay and Beyond 30 Bill Eigen ’90 learned
Learn to eat what’s plentiful Surf First to invest by flipping
in local waters. Here’s a Peter Panagiotis ’71 is muscle cars in college.
summer recipe to help you a legend among surfers. Now, he applies the same
get started. He started URI’s surf hands-on principles to
club and he’s still in bond trading.
the flow. 34
13 The Internationalists
Go Rhody 54 URI students are immersing
Big finishes for women's 34 Annotations themselves in the study of language
track and field and rowing. The Vikki Warner ’98 shares and culture and tackling some of
Internationalists delightful, surprising the world’s toughest problems.
14 URI students are excerpts from her book, Above, Cynthia Malambi ’20 in
immersing themselves Tenemental. 54
Syllabus Shanghai.
Can Game of Thrones in the study of Annotations
Make You Smarter? language and culture 56 Vikki Warner ’98, modern
and tackling some of Caption This landlady and author, shares
the world’s toughest Stroll down Memory delightful, surprising excerpts
14 problems.
Rhode Taken Lane, check out the from her book, Tenemental.
Nursing alumna Bintou winners from the last
40 issue, and send us your
Marong seized every
opportunity to forge a Fins, Flippers, best caption for the
successful path. and Finding a summer photo caption
Dream Job contest.
16 URI alumni are well
Quad Angles represented at Mystic
Sunshine Menezes, Aquarium, where many
executive director of URI's have landed dream jobs
Metcalf Institute, makes a and all are dedicated to
case for embracing the marine education and
limits of objectivity. conservation.
17 Underwater archaeologist Bridget Buxton
Ask Our Big Thinkers (far right), an associate professor in URI’s
It’s tick season. Tips Department of History, scans an ancient
from URI’s TickGuy, Roman shipwreck in Croatia using a
Tom Mather. prototype University of Girona 3DVR
camera system.
COVER PHOTO OF ALEXANDRA MOEN: NORA LEWIS
PHOTOS, THIS PAGE: JACOB SHARVIT; COURTESY CYNTHIA MALAMBI; NORA LEWIS
4 SUMMER 2019 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 5
FROM THE PRESIDENT
New Chapters
We are shaped by our rich oceanographic heritage, our dynamic global
spirit, and our shared values and vision. These themes will carry URI into
new chapters in our extraordinary history.
IN THE PAST DECADE, URI of U.S. ocean territory, the insti-
has continuously challenged the tute will play a crucial role in
notion that universities are slow improving understanding of the
to change, as we keep thinking deep sea and will strengthen the
big about our future, even while “blue economy,” which is expected
honoring our proud past. With to more than double its contribu-
the recent merger of the URI tion to the U.S. economy and
Alumni Association and the URI employ 40 million people by 2030.
Foundation, we have taken the The NOAA grant announce-
logical next step in our amazing ment was well timed, as we were
institutional trajectory. As URI has just laying the keel of the R/V
advanced—with record enrollment, Resolution, a new $125 million
expanded faculty, and a renewed research ship that will have a
focus on research—these two great home at our Narragansett Bay
organizations have united around Campus as of 2022. The keel-
their shared vision and values. laying ceremony, celebrating
The merger could not be hap- the start of construction of the
pening at a more auspicious time. Resolution, took place in May
The effort was led by Tom Ryan ’75, President David M. Dooley, Rhode Island Governor Gina 2019 at Gulf Island Shipyards in
Raimondo, Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education
Hon. ’99, chairman of the URI Houma, Louisiana. I was honored
Chair Timothy DelGiudice, and Graduate School of
Foundation Board of Directors, Oceanography Dean Bruce Corliss celebrate the keel-laying to participate in the ceremony,
and Dan Lowney ’75, former for the R/V Resolution. along with Rhode Island Governor
president of the URI Alumni Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island
Association Executive Board. Going Even as we globalize, we remain true Council on Postsecondary Education
forward, alumni will experience the to our evolving mission as a land and sea Chair Timothy DelGiudice, Graduate
dynamism that URI has to offer in grant institution. So it makes sense that School of Oceanography Dean Bruce
new and meaningful ways. we’re taking a deep dive—pun intended— Corliss, and members of URI’s research
That dynamism is palpable in this issue into our cover story, “Blue Minds,” which vessel crew.
of the University of Rhode Island Magazine. will introduce you to a group of URI sci- These two exciting developments
The winning photo (inside front cover) entists whose work and play keeps them herald a new chapter in the rich history
in our annual Research and Scholarship deeply connected and committed to the of oceanographic research and education
Photo Contest, “The Endless Bond ocean. Alexandra Moen ’15 earned her at URI, building on a legacy of excellence.
Between Mother and Child,” depicts a undergraduate degree from URI in Speaking of a legacy of excellence, in
baby macaque clinging to its mother at marine biology. Now, as a dive instructor our fall issue, we’ll sit down with Tom
the local watering hole in Ubud, Bali, here, she is keenly aware that she is teach- Ryan to talk about his life, work, values,
Indonesia. ing future environmental stewards. Expe- and what’s next for the renowned busi-
Geological oceanography undergradu- riencing the ocean environment firsthand nessman and philanthropist. And we can’t
ate student Matthew Palasciano ’20 was is key. “It’s one of the greatest perks about wait to give you a first look at our impres-
there to study the destructive effects of my job that I can break that disassociation sive new engineering complex.
deforestation and illegal logging. Matt’s that we have—that what we do to the Until then, Detail of the spiral staircase
travels epitomize our global approach environment doesn’t matter.” under construction in URI's new
to education, underscored in “The Earlier this spring, URI legend Robert College of Engineering complex,
Internationalists,” which highlights the Ballard was named lead investigator for which will open this fall. The
phenomenal growth of our language and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric building will be a project-based
David M. Dooley platform for hands-on learning.
culture programs, now among the largest Administration’s ocean exploration insti- President, University of Rhode Island We will showcase the new
in the nation. The story features more tute, which URI was selected to host. This engineering complex in the fall
remarkable student photography from honor comes with a $94 million grant issue of the University of Rhode
around the globe. over five years. Surveying 3 billion acres Island Magazine.
6 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: CRYSTAL SANDERSON; NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 7
Feedback
Berbe
ris
t
hu
Memories Barberry-an Invasion
nb
ergii
Those [photo caption contest] pictures are Good evening! Over dinner, I was enjoying the
Write to us: urimag@uri.edu such fun and bring back a million memories lovely new format of the URI Magazine—it
Visit us and comment at uri.edu/magazine of my days at URI. My husband and I met looks great and is packed with informative arti-
there and shared many kisses under those old cles. However, I was dismayed to see Japanese
From the Editor oak trees. We had 63 beautiful years together barberry as one of the featured plants in “Good
before he died last year at age 86. We have for What Ails You” (Spring 2019). While this Thank you, Lisa, for raising
I grew up in the Midwest, and I love to Surfing is much harder than I imag- five daughters and 28 grandchildren/great- plant appears to have medicinal value, it is also such an important point. Other
watch a storm roll in across a field. But ined. It is, as Alexandra Moen ’15 points grandchildren....and it all started at good old one of the worst invasive species on the Rhode readers contacted plant sciences
I also love to watch waves roll in to out in our cover story, “Blue Minds” (page Rhody! I look forward to the new pictures Island (and elsewhere) landscape, and I’m professor Brian Maynard with
shore. When I was a kid, we trekked to 20), humbling. Of the myriad wonderful every month. Good job! alarmed to think that anyone at URI is promot- the same concern. Of Japanese
New England every summer to visit fam- things about surfing, the chance to be out —Sandi Griffin ’53 ing its use (which means that people will want barberry, Maynard and garden
ily and spend time at the ocean. We went on the water in any and all weather is
to grow it). Our own Alton Jones campus is coordinator Elizabeth Leibovitz
to the beach, dug for clams, and took the pretty high on the list. Rediscovering that
infested with this plant, which has thorns, so say, “Don’t plant it!” While the
ferry to Block Island. Those days on the feeling of floating while falling asleep
ocean were magic, and when I’d lay down after a day in the waves is up there too. Kudos the deer won’t eat it; they eat everything else plant has a variety of medicinal
uses, it is an invasive shrub that
in bed, tired and sunbaked after a day In the book, Blue Mind (see Lauren and the barberry continues to spread. [URI
I graduated with a degree in textiles and fash-
should] make sure that students and the public can be found in almost any yard,
playing in the waves, I could feel myself— Poirier’s piece on page 18), Wallace J. ion, although freshman year I spiraled off the
know what plants are an ecological issue in our hiking trail, or wooded area in
hours later—still rocking and swaying. Nichols asserts that water “provides the standard path into the magical world of the
landscapes. Touch base with Rhode Island Nat- Rhode Island—and throughout
Last fall, my friend and I asked one of most profound shortcut to happiness.” Good surfers make it look effortless. When Theatre Department. And if I wasn't building
you're learning, you realize it isn't. And you ural History Survey (RINHS), located at East the Northeast and much of the
our fitness instructors at the local YMCA, And he has the science to back it up. The sets or costumes, I was crewing with the
fall in—a lot—as I'm about to do here. Farm, if you have questions about invasive spe- Midwest. It can establish itself in
who happens to be Peter Panagiotis ’71, science is important and fascinating, but Sailing Team. Both loves of mine to this day.
cies in Rhode Island. Thanks! dense thickets, limiting native
aka Peter Pan (read about Peter in “Surf I don’t need it to know that he’s right. When I received the latest alumni magazine,
doing so, we make ourselves happier, and —Lisa Lofland Gould, M.S. ’72 plants, altering soil composition,
First” on page 30), if he'd teach us to surf. The faculty and staff featured in “Blue I was immediately captivated by the depth of
we deepen our relationship with the sea, and harboring ticks.
That weekend, we had our first lesson. I Minds” feel a magnetic attraction to the the content and its ability to evoke empathy Lisa is former director of RINHS and former
swallowed more salt water in that hour ocean, and they respond by spending their helping to ensure its health and survival, and understanding about people and events director of the Rhode Island Invasive Species
than ever in my life to that point. My free time on the water—many of them are and, with it, our own. far outside my experience. I read this issue Council
arms hurt for days from paddling— surfers—and by dedicating their work lives —Barbara Caron, Editor-in-Chief cover to cover, and mused the entire time,
hard—while Peter yelled, “Dig! Dig! You’ll to studying, knowing, and protecting the "THIS is where I went to school? Who knew
never catch a wave paddling like that!” oceans—locally and around the globe. Mentors play an important role so many interesting things were going on
But it was fun. Really fun. We surfed (Can
you call it surfing if you aren’t really
The power and pull of the sea isn’t
unique to the University of Rhode Island.
for lots of people in their lives
and careers. Do you (or did you)
there!" I look forward to the next issue. Quantum Calculations Enough
standing up and you’re under the board But we do have something special here. have a mentor? Or have you
—Linda Meise ’73 I enjoyed reading the article, "Quantum Quest”
in the spring edition. Dr. Savoie is indeed a
Already
more than on it?) all winter long, Peter’s We are positioned—geographically and been a mentor to someone else? The feature on Marty Rojas and reading Moby Really enjoy your new
Dick was delightful. worthy subject. I found the article well-written.
contagious whooping and laughing academically—to connect to the ocean’s We’d love to hear your stories. mag design. Lots of inter-
—Brett Rutherford ’05 However, the observation on page 22 that,
inspiring us. power on a daily basis in infinite ways. In Tell us at urimag@uri.edu. esting short stories and
"Sixty bits can hold 120 possible values," is
especially love the great
mistaken. Sixty bits can hold 2-to-the-power-
SOCIAL SNAPS | INSTAGRAM young entrepreneurs pre-
The University of Rhode Island Magazine is
of-sixty different values, which is over a quin-
sented. But, the article and
published by the University of Rhode Island. tillion already. A quintillion is peanuts to
quotes from CNN lead
Copyright pending, all rights reserved. sixty qubits. I don't know the capacity of sixty
international reporter
Email: urimag@uri.edu Online: uri.edu/magazine qubits, but it is many orders of magnitude
Amanpour was really in
Phone: 401.874.5895 larger than that. As I understand it, each
poor form. Can't this be
Executive Editor: Michele A. Nota ’87, M.S. ’06, qubit can hold at least three values (1, 0, and
kept out of a publication
Vice President, URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement between), sixty qubits, then, would hold over
by the Alumni Associa-
Editor-in-Chief: Barbara Caron 42 heptillion values. That's about 42 million
tion? We are all gagging
Art Director: Kim Robertson times that quintillion.
on the media trying to
Contributing Editors: Annie Babineau, Dina M. Dionizio ’91, —Steven P. Warr, '72
Shane Donaldson ’99, Dave Lavallee ’79, M.P.A. ’87, propagandize the news.
Leslie Lowenstein, Kate O’Malley, Marybeth Reilly-McGreen Thank you, Steven, for keeping us on our toes. Please! Rhode Island is a
Fish-Eye Lens A Man’s Life Rooted in Community Peace Out
Contributing Designer: Cynthia McMillen Our own Leonard Kahn, professor of physics, liberal state. We get it.
The newest diving Harrington School film media and public URI’s Alumni of Color Network Graduating seniors got creative
Photographer: Nora Lewis says, “The reader is correct. 60 bits can describe Enough already.
class offered at URI is relations major Justine Mirek ’19 produced a gets together regularly, and with their caps in the #myuricap Illustrations: Anthony Russo ’74 2-to-the-power-of-60 different values (or states); —C. Provencal ’71
advanced diving and film poignantly portraying her grandfather’s always has a good time. contest for a chance at VIP Digital Design: John Pennypacker, Bo Pickard however, in a classical computer, only one value
underwater photography. struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. @uriacn seating and parking for Editorial Board: Kelly Mahoney ’03, Executive Director, can be represented at a time. In a quantum com-
@uriscubaprogram @uriharringtonschool Commencement 2019. Cap External Relations and Communications; Linda A. Acciardo ’77,
by Savannah Mullarney ’19. Director, Communications and Marketing; Austen Farrell, puter, 60 qubits can represent 2 to the power of
@universityofri Chief Marketing Officer, URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement 60 states simultaneously.”
8 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: JOSH ARAUJO; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 9
Currents
today.uri.edu
Get more
= WHY I TEACH =
news at
Prescription: Empathy
= IN BRIEF = = NEWS TICKER = Erica Estus
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy
Level Up
Marketing students from the
College of Business placed TO HEAR ERICA ESTUS TALK
third in the national Acura about her career is to be reminded of
ILX Marketing Challenge for that time in early childhood when you
their semester-long “Level believed it was entirely possible to be a
Up” campaign, successfully ballerina-firefighter-astronaut-mom.
promoting the Acura ILX to In Estus’ case, she wanted to be a
young consumers. pharmacist and an educator. She also had
an interest in geriatrics, having grown up
Compassion Class
next door to her grandparents, an experi-
Thupten Tendhar, a URI grad
student and former Tibetan
ence she appreciated fully, then and now.
Wind Power Big Boost for Biomed Listening to Whales So Estus, a 1996 graduate of URI’s
Buddhist monk, created a
Ørsted US Offshore Wind The Rhode Island IDeA Net- A group of URI students has series of online lessons to Doctor of Pharmacy Program, became
and Eversource have pledged work of Biomedical Research developed an acoustic device teach compassion. All an award-winning pharmacist-teacher-
$4.5 million to support offshore Excellence (INBRE), a partner- that will detect the sounds students who completed researcher—and also a mother and a
wind education and supply ship based at URI, was awarded of whales and other marine the lessons showed positive yoga teacher. And she brings all this
chain development in Rhode $20 million to further expand mammals near the Block Island changes in measures of experience to bear in her teaching, work-
compassion and overall ing to improve communication between
Island. Three million dollars will statewide research capacity in Wind Farm. The device will
well-being. pharmacy students and the older adults
be invested in higher education cancer, neuroscience, environ- send the sounds to a server
around offshore wind programs mental health, and other bio- where the students can moni- they will one day serve.
On Campus Anytime
led by URI. medical sciences. tor and record them. New, high-definition cameras
She does this through intergenera-
on the Quad at URI’s tional experiential learning; specifically,
she takes her students to a local senior
Go to uri.edu/about/quadcams Kingston Campus and
overlooking the water at the living community, where they spend a lot
Narragansett Bay Campus of time with the residents throughout the
allow members of the URI year—talking, doing activities, even put-
community and the public ting on an annual “Senior Prom.” The
to see the campuses from idea, Estus says, is to expose students to
computers, phones, or experiences that can’t be fully simulated
tablets 24 hours a day.
in a classroom—such as the challenges
Globe-Trotters
cognitive and physical decline pose for
Sixteen URI students were patients as they age. Experience with the
named Beatrice S. Demers patient population complements and
Foreign Language Fellows, expands upon the theories Estus teaches.
and received grants to “Social things—like empathy—you can’t “We need more intergenerational communication to foster
pursue language studies in teach,” Estus says. “Students have to empathy and relationship-building.” —Erica Estus
Argentina, China, Germany, experience those things themselves.”
NOAA Coastal Management Fellows and 2019 Italy, France, Spain, Japan, Pharmacy students learn that the gen-
M.M.A. grads Ben Sweeney, Leah Feldman, and Taiwan, and Jordan. erations separating them from the for both parties. “I think we need more more they see the value in the service
Sabrina Pereira.
seniors don’t matter so much. “The typi- of that intergenerational communication they’re providing.”
Sweet Scholarship for
Climate Change Fellows cal observation made is how alike they to foster empathy and relationship-build- “My dad owned a pharmacy. I always
STEM Teachers
URI’s School of Education
are and how easy it is to communicate ing,” she says. “There is more to it than wanted to be a pharmacist, but I also
Jasmin Johnson ’22 models a piece designed Three URI marine affairs master’s degree grads with one another,” Estus says. just talking about medications and how always wanted to be a teacher,” Estus
received $1.2 million from
by Killian Maloney ’19. received prestigious two-year National Oceanic The pace of a pharmacy can make a they work.” says. “When the opportunity arose to
the National Science
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) person feel stressed and rushed, Estus Students find joy in realizing how combine both of my passions, I knew I
Radioactive Dreams Foundation’s Robert Noyce
Coastal Management Fellowships. Of the six says. This can spill over into interactions much they can offer, and Estus finds hap- had to pursue it.
Teacher Scholarship Program
URI’s 16th annual Spring Splash Fashion Show, national candidates selected, three were from to recruit, prepare, and between pharmacist and patron. Estus piness in watching her students discover “Now I can’t imagine doing anything
“Radioactive Dreams,” featured creative designs URI. They will work with coastal communities to mentor science and math believes the more opportunities for stu- new skills. “I find that students are very else.” •
from 10 Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and prepare for extreme events, like storms, and to teachers for high-need dents to communicate with the public, motivated and intelligent. The more —Marybeth Reilly-McGreen
Design students; scholarships were awarded for manage the everyday impacts of coastal erosion school districts. the better the future interactions will be experience and exposure they have, the
outstanding work. and sea-level rise.
10 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; BEAU JONES; WIKIPEDIA.COM; MICHAEL SALERNO; HANSJE GOLD-KRUECK PHOTO: AYLA FOX UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 11
CURRENTS
= BAY AND BEYOND =
Eat Like a Fish
Learning to eat what the ocean provides can help sustain wild fish species. = GO RHODY =
WHERE WERE THE GREENS AND VEGETABLES IN
your lunchtime salad grown? If you’re among the three- Lotte Black Places
quarters of Americans who, according to a 2018 Gallup poll,
strive to eat locally grown foods, you may have purchased
them from a farmers market or a community-supported
Fourth in Nation
agriculture program. Eating locally is widely recognized as Best-Ever Finish by URI Woman Athlete
healthier, fresher, good for local economies, and good for the RHODE ISLAND JUNIOR second to cap off a record-
environment. But what about the seafood you’re grilling Lotte Black finished fourth breaking year. Her finish in
for dinner? out of 12 runners in the fourth place is the best-ever
When it comes to fish, sustainable, local eating is equally 1500-meter final at the finish by a Rhode Island
important, but hasn’t been as widely embraced. Over a hun- NCAA Track and Field woman athlete in any sport.
dred edible seafood species thrive off New England’s ocean Championships in Austin, Black set nine program
shores. But many of the most plentiful species are hard to Texas, in June. records this year and was
find in local markets and largely unknown to consumers. Black was in 10th place named A-10 Track Performer
URI is a partner with Eating with the Ecosystem, a pro- with 400 meters to go; by of the Week four times this Varsity 8+ team members, sophmores Jennae Alexander (left)
gram working to change the demand for and availability finishing the last 200 meters season. In addition, she and Katie Usher (right), carry the team boat at the 2019 NCAA
of local, plentiful fish species. They promote a place-based of her race in 31 seconds, she was named First Team All- Championships in Indianapolis.
approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood through
In the Swing
finished in fourth place. Her American by the U.S. Track
healthy habitats, flourishing food webs, and short, adaptive final time of 4:13.02 broke & Field and Cross Country
supply chains. In other words, they want people to eat like a her two-day-old school Coaches Association. •
fish, which means eating what the ocean provides—adopting record by one hundredth of a —Michaela Benford A Triumphant Season for URI Women’s Rowing
a supply-based, rather than a demand-based, way of eating. •
—Barbara Caron RHODE ISLAND WOMEN’S All three scoring boats won
rowing won its third conference their respective flights, giving
title in four years and competed URI a sweep of the competi-
Eating with the Ecosystem’s new cookbook, SCUP CRUDO at the NCAA Championship tion. Seniors Erika Pena, Allie
Simmering the Sea: Diversifying Cookery to Sustain 2 scup, filleted and skin removed ¼ cup salt for the second straight spring. Reilly, and Maddie Van
Our Fisheries, encourages readers to expand their Head Coach Shelagh Ummersen all earned A-10
Rinse under cold running water and pat dry. Sprinkle salt on both sides. Let
seafood horizons. Donohoe was named A-10 First Team All-Conference
rest in refrigerator for 8 to 10 minutes. Rinse in a bowl of ice water. Pat dry.
Sarah Schumann ’04 is a commercial fisher, an Thinly slice each fillet on a bias (45º angle). Coach of the Year for the sec- honors, while classmate Katie
advocate for healthy marine ecosystems, a freelance ond straight season and the Shattuck was named to the
Vinaigrette
educator and writer, and a co-author of Simmering sixth time in her career. Her second team. It was the third
¼ English cucumber, thinly sliced 2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
the Sea. She shared this recipe for scup crudo—a team placed 21st nationally at consecutive year Shattuck was
2 radishes, thinly sliced 1 lime, juiced
refreshing, no-cook recipe that’s perfect for summer. the NCAA Championship. named to the all-conference
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Rhody’s Varsity 4+ team of team.
1 spring onion, thinly sliced Salt to taste
coxswain Tory Bauer, Tinsley While this year’s team
Learn more about Eating with the Ecosystem and Neatly line plate with cucumber slices. Place sliced fish fillets on top. Mix rad- Copeland, Morgan Cody, featured a big senior class
order your copy of Simmering the Sea at ishes, pepper, spring onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Slowly whisk in Stephanie Erlacher, and Julia (nine of the 23 URI rowers
eatingwiththeecosystem.org. olive oil. Drizzle over fish. Sprinkle with salt. Serves 4. Fortin placed 19th in its flight. at NCAAs were seniors), there
It was the highest finish ever is a bright future for Rhode
by a Rhode Island boat at the Island. First-year student
H O W TO E X PA N D YO U R LO C A L S E A F O O D H O R I ZO N S NCAAs, held at Eagle Creek Kat Gillies was one of 15 row-
Park in Indianapolis from May ers nationally to be invited
Seek out Buy, cook, and use If you don’t see the local Order the fish you’re look- When you’re trying 31 through June 2. to USRowing’s Under 23
local species the whole fish. fish variety you’re looking ing for in advance. Special new varieties of sea- At the May 18 A-10 Cham- Women’s Olympic Develop-
you haven’t for, ask your grocer or orders let vendors know food, invite friends pionship on Cooper River in ment Program Camp, which
tried before. fishmonger. If you don’t there’s interest in lesser- and family to join you. Pennsauken, N.J., Rhode will be held in Iowa City,
ask, they won’t know known varieties of fish. Lotte Black at the 2019 NCAA Track and Field
Championships in Austin, Texas.
Island had one of its best per- Iowa, August 13–17. •
you’re looking for it. formances in program history. —Shane Donaldson ’99
Simmering the Sea is a collaboration of Eating with the Ecosystem, Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts, and the University of Rhode Island.
12 SUMMER 2019 ILLUSTRATION: LÉA TIRMONT-DESOYEN; PHOTOS: JUSTIN CASTERLINE; MICHAEL SCOTT UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 13
CURRENTS
= SYLLABUS =
Obsessedwith RHODE TO A
Gameof hrones?
= RHODE TAKEN = DEGREE
Heavy Lifting Mentor
B I N TO U M A R O N G ’ 15 Talent Development
It might be making you smarter. advisor Sharon Forleo,
One URI professor capitalizes on the show's popularity to help BINTOU MARONG NEVER HAD who “kept it real”
her students understand Europe in the Middle Ages. any doubt she would apply to the
=
University of Rhode Island. The
Second
moment she stepped foot on campus
YEAS NAYS Home
she fell in love with its beauty and “I can’t think of URI
“DRAGONS DO NOT DO WELL IN Kings have power. Chief among the Clergy aren’t prominent. GOT includes sense of community. That community without thinking of Talent
captivity,” says Game of Thrones scene- show’s successes—social interaction is religious leaders—the septons—but they molded her as a student and set her Development, because
stealer Tyrion Lannister, known for being based on conflict and linked to power. don’t play a large role. In the Middle Ages, on a path of caring for others as a my TD community
witty, wise—and often drunk. When asked Medieval kings and their lords held the every ruler had a council of clergymen. nurse. “URI built confidence in me,” was my support.”
how he knows this, his reply—made with power to make laws, levy taxes, enlist Clergy were everywhere.” she says. “Think big is the motto— =
wine in hand—is: “That’s what I do. I drink armies. GOT depicts this accurately. You Tears are in short supply. “In the Middle
and I’m living by it.” Career
and I know things.” see “independent states still owing their Ages, everyone was crying. A good ser-
Marong, who immigrated from Inspiration
allegiance to the king of the Iron Throne.” mon brought tears. I think what GOT does
Gambia at age 10, enjoyed an exten- Her mother, aunt, and
But making medieval history as vivid and
is take a modern view. Modern people
sive support network. In the Talent uncle were all nurses.
memorable as the popular HBO series Widows are important. In the 14th cen-
don’t want to know that knights were
Development (TD) program, she was While a student at URI,
requires a little more than that. Professor tury, Isabella of France, aka the She-Wolf
guided by advisor Sharon Forleo and Marong worked as a
Joëlle Rollo-Koster reasons that if her of France, ruled after overthrowing her always crying.”
her colleagues. Forleo retired in 2016 certified nursing assistant
HIS 304 students can follow the shifting husband, Edward II (who was eventually alongside her mother.
There are castles without moats. “As a but remains in touch with Marong to
alliances in GOT, they can understand the murdered). “She would be a good Cersei true medievalist, I get upset when I see offer advice or a kind ear. And =
dynastic intricacies of the Middle Ages. Lannister. Widowhood was when women castle walls but no moats.” Marong counts as close friends fellow Big
“Who’s married to whom, why alliances had the most freedom in medieval times.”
nursing students she met during TD’s Opportunity
are created, who’s allied with whom The world is static. No technological or
A Jon Snow can get ahead. Primo- social advances, little political change—
summer program just before her first The Carol A. Ghiloni
against whom,” she says, “This is the juice Oncology Nursing
geniture—inheritance by the oldest the Starks have ruled the North for thou-
year at URI. She also knows she can
of history.” Fellowship at
son—protected family land and power in sands of years. “It is interesting that in the
call on her former nursing professors
Massachusetts
Based on George R.R. Martin’s books, GOT the Middle Ages. But illegitimate children fantasy genre there is a kind of idolization
for references or guidance—personal
General Hospital
is credited with energizing the field of could rise up. William the Conqueror, for an unchanging world. We are a society
or professional. “I thought I would
medieval studies. But the show is “the aka William the Bastard, who conquered get my degree and get out,” she says. =
that runs fast, but here we are admiring a Scholarships
work of fantasy writers,” Rollo-Koster says. England in 1066, was the Jon Snow of fictional world stuck in immobility.”
“But years later I’m still in touch with
• A.T. Anderson
To separate fact from fiction, we asked her his day. “If the oldest son died, the bastard all these people.”
—Tony LaRoche ’95 Memorial Scholarship
to rule on GOT’s historical fidelity. Here are could do very well for himself.” It certainly helped that her nursing
Bintou Marong '15 outside The Miriam Hospital in • Hardge/Forleo Grant
her yeas and nays. clinicals consisted of only about 10 Providence, Rhode Island, where she works as a cardiac • Paul J. Kervick
Honor matters. GOT depicts a violent
students, allowing personalized inter- nurse. This fall, she will begin Duke University's Doctor Family Scholarship
world of loyalty to oath and homage to a
action among students, faculty, and of Nursing Practice program. Endowment
king, who can confiscate the land of
patients. Meanwhile, a prestigious =
nobles who defy him—all very medieval.
fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital from URI. Hospitals quickly extended job
Senior Honors
allowed her to apply classroom skills in a real- offers, and Marong now works as a cardiac
Project
world setting with a caseload of patients. nurse at The Miriam Hospital in Rhode The Weight of Gender —
HIS 304 • WESTERN EUROPE IN THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES
Between her studies and nursing rotations, Island. She was accepted to Duke University’s how women powerlifters
EXPERIENCING GOT WITHDRAWAL?
PROFESSOR JOËLLE ROLLO-KOSTER Marong joined URI’s Honors Program. She competitive Doctor of Nursing Practice pro- and body-builders
Now that the series has ended, you could
This hands-on course delves into Students are encouraged to visit the medieval found herself in classes with unique topics—like gram for fall 2019. She has her sights set on defy traditional ideas
binge watch all eight seasons...again. But
the social, economic, political, collections at local museums, including: reality television. And she combined her love of working in sports medicine. of femininity
why not try branching out? Visit the medi-
eval collection at your local art museum, or cultural, and religious history • Worcester Art Museum
powerlifting with an academic study of gender “URI was an opportunity I would not =
grab a book about the Middle Ages. One of of Europe from the 11th to the to produce a senior Honors project entitled, have had back home,” Marong says. “URI has URI Degree
• Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Professor Rollo-Koster's favorites is Terry 14th century. Students learn “The Weight of Gender.” so many resources. There’s opportunity. You B.S. ’15 nursing, cum
to ask historical questions rather • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston) Her combined experiences produced an just have to take it.” • laude, with a minor in
Jones' Medieval Lives. Best known as part of
the Monty Python comedy group, Jones also than simply memorize history. • RISD Museum (Providence) impressive resume by the time she graduated —Chris Barrett ’08 thanatology
has a Ph.D. in medieval history from Oxford.
14 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 15
CURRENTS
= ASK OUR BIG THINKERS =
I Just Found a Tick.
Now What?
= QUAD ANGLES = It’s summertime. When the day ends, you’ve likely spent some
Embracing the Limits of Objectivity time outside. Maybe you worked outside or had dinner on the deck. Perhaps you
hiked or took a walk with your dog. Now there’s a tick on your arm.
By Sunshine Menezes
URI’s "TickGuy," Professor Thomas
Science is objective and neutral, right? Maybe not, says Sunshine Menezes. By acknowledging Mather, is ready to help. Director of the
our human subjectivity, we can move toward finding ways to counterbalance it—by creating TickEncounter Resource Center, and
more diverse scientific teams, for example. And given the gravity of some of the real co-creator of its popular TickEncounter
problems we face today, such as climate change, there’s no time to wait. website, here’s his expert advice.
If you find a tick on yourself or some-
I WAS TAUGHT THAT SCIENCE IS is quoted and how the story is presented. the impossibility of complete objectivity. one else, follow these steps:
objective and neutral. As I began my The issue that deserves discussion Each of us has much to learn from people
• Disinfect the bite area with rubbing
career, I proudly championed scientific among scientists, engineers, and the pub- with different perspectives than our own,
alcohol before removing the tick.
objectivity in my work with policymakers, lic is how researchers’ own biases can and there is ample evidence that diverse
advocates, and journalists, rebuffing their affect our questions, our methods, and scientific teams are more productive and • Using pointy tweezers, grab the tick at
agendas in favor of my the conclusions we draw from our data, creative. Researchers are identifying ways or just above the head and pull firmly
facts. But I was missing and how recognizing those biases can to “co-create” knowledge with communi- but slowly upward to avoid breaking the
part of the picture. make our work better and stronger. ties, asking questions about cultural tick. Remember, regular household
I’m a scientist Awareness of scientific bias with relevance and interpretation, and consid- tweezers aren’t the right tool for
and, to be clear, regard to those who are discriminated ering how to communicate more inclu- removing ticks. Use pointy tweezers.
I categorically against is critical. One of the most egre- sively. Metcalf Institute organized the • Disinfect the bite area again with
believe in the gious examples of scientific malfeasance #InclusiveSciComm Symposium last year, rubbing alcohol.
value of science. is the Tuskegee syphilis study, a 40-year the nation’s first conference devoted to
Scientific inquiry assault upon African American men con- discussing these issues in the context of • Save the tick so that you can identify
advances our ducted from 1932 to 1972 by the U.S. science communication. The demand was and, if necessary, have it tested for dis-
understanding of government. The study was touted by the so great that we will hold the symposium ease. Not every tick is carrying disease,
the world and makes U.S. Public Health Service as free health again this September. but any tick could be. It’s important
our lives infinitely better. care to African American men to treat Acknowledging the limits of our to correctly identify any tick found
But I’ve learned that science is not the “bad blood,” a catchall term that included objectivity might feel disorienting to biting you.
purely and consistently objective, value- syphilis, anemia, and fatigue. In fact, the scientists—and to journalists, too—who
neutral undertaking I once imagined. study was designed to observe the pro- hold this as a basic tenet. But this limita-
For information and help
Maybe I’ve lived long enough to see that gression of syphilis, with no intention of tion is part of our humanity. It’s universal. Prevent and Avoid Ticks identifying the tick, and
nothing—not even science—is as clear- treating the participants, even after a cure As we face the massive scale and com-
directions for testing, go to
cut as I once believed, and to recognize became available in 1947. But not all plexity of current issues, such as climate Treat your yard, Protect your pets Perform daily tick Learn what kinds tickencounter.org
the shades of gray that our experiences examples of scientific bias are so mali- change and the life-altering ethical ques- clothing, and with tick repellent checks on yourself, of ticks are active
and biases bring to every thought we cious or obvious. tions of genetic engineering, it is high shoes with tick and vaccinate your children, and where you live,
have. A contemporary example of uncon- time that we accept our subjectivity and repellent. them against your pets. and which ones Video at uri.edu/magazine
We live in an important cultural scious bias concerns artificial intelligence commit ourselves to the effort of doing Lyme disease. transmit disease.
moment—the very concept of objectivity (AI). AI uses computer algorithms to the hard, valuable, and necessary work
is under scrutiny from many sides, partic- illuminate patterns in massive data sets— in front of us—undeterred, and even
ularly with regard to science and journal- patterns that inform many aspects of our strengthened by an awareness of the
ism. While some who question objectivity lives, including health care, banking, and limitations of our objectivity. • Some of the most commonly found ticks in the Northeast
do so for personal gain (politicians, most hiring decisions. While computers do
notably), this line of questioning shouldn’t the heavy lifting in this work, humans set Sunshine Menezes, Ph.D. ’05 is the
be discounted. History shows that one the process in motion, which can allow executive director of URI’s Metcalf Institute
person’s “objective truth” may not corre- researchers’ biases to influence the analyses for Marine and Environmental Reporting
spond with another’s. And even the best through the initial questions they pose. and clinical associate professor of environ-
Adult male Adult female Adult male Adult female Adult male Adult female
journalism amplifies (or reduces) atten- Scientists and engineers can start to mental communication in the College of
Blacklegged or deer tick Lone Star tick American dog tick
tion to particular facts by virtue of who address these inequities by recognizing the Environment and Life Sciences.
16 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; JOE GIBLIN UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 17Got Blue Mind?
Here, student Lauren Poirier explains blue mind.
On the pages that follow, writer Marybeth Reilly-McGreen
dives into our cover story, introducing you to some of
URI’s bluest minds.
uthor Wallace J. Nichols defines observable. The surface of a body of water
blue mind as “a mildly medita- is largely static, inducing relaxation in the
tive state characterized by peace- beholder. But when there is a disruption
fulness, unity, and a sense of on the surface of the water (a ripple or a
general happiness and satisfaction with life wave) the change triggers the production
in the moment.” He distinguishes it from of dopamine in our brains. And since
red mind, which neuroscientist Catherine human beings know the nature of a body
Franssen describes as an “edgy high, char- of water is to move and change—and then
acterized by stress, anxiety, fear, and maybe revert to its original shape—our brains
even a little bit of danger and despair.” experience “regularity without monotony”
Water is a shortcut to happiness, —a condition the brain craves.
Nichols argues, and blue mind is what The sensation of feeling relaxed near
we experience when we spend time by or in water is something many of us have
the sea, a pond, a river, or just luxuriating experienced, and people have recognized
in a long bath. the profound effect water has on our
Psychologists, biologists, neurologists, health and well-being for centuries. But
researchers, surfers, fishers, swimmers, why is this so? Through a variety of disci-
and beachgoers alike agree that there is plines—biology, neuroscience, psychol-
just something restorative and peaceful ogy, anthropology, economics, and
about spending time in or near water. In more—and a variety of research methods
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That and technologies, Nichols provides
Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under insights and answers to this complicated
Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, question.
More Connected, and Better at What Here at URI, the ocean is a part of who
You Do, Nichols delves into the science we are. On the following pages, you’ll
behind this phenomenon. He argues that meet URI scientists who personify the
our brains are wired to distinguish rele- essence of blue mind. The ocean is their
vant from irrelevant information—an home, and, because they’ve discovered
evolutionary trait initially meant to pro- that it connects them to something
tect us from impending danger. In the greater than themselves, they’re commit-
case of water, this phenomenon is easily ted to caring for it. •
—Lauren Poirier
Lauren Poirier ’21 is majoring in English and
public relations and is an intern in URI’s Marketing
and Communications Department.
18 SUMMER 2019 PHOTO: BRANDON FULLER UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 19Blue Minds
For these URI scientists, the ocean is their workplace, their playground,
their sacred space. And their love of the sea is a net gain for science,
engineering, and the environment. Maybe even humanity itself.
By Marybeth Reilly-McGreen
“The ocean is home to o hear Alexandra Moen ’15 It also provided Moen with a teachable but all of these
describe it, seeing spider crabs moment beyond the scope of the day’s things have grown
me. And as wild as it molt is kind of like watching a diving lesson. and you start to see
sounds, I've never been Burning Man event underwater: “When you put yourself in an environ- all these tiny, little baby fish
so certain about It’s a large-scale spectacle. When spider ment like that, you’re certainly connected darting out of the eelgrass in the
something in my life.” crabs molt, they aggregate, climbing one with nature, and you develop a greater shallows, and you’re like, ‘Ah, this
atop another, creating mounds that can appreciation for protecting its resources,” is beautiful.’
—Alexandra Moen, URI Diving
expand to nearly 100 meters long, accord- Moen continues. “The connection we can “You also see balloons, empty chip bags,
Safety Officer
ing to BBC Earth’s Blue Planet II. create by bringing students directly into six-pack rings, and fishing line. It’s one of Happier, Healthier, More Connected,
Moen witnessed the spectacle first- this underwater environment—I mean, the greatest perks about my job that I can and Better at What You Do, author and
hand several years ago. While diving with there’s no better way to understand what’s break that disassociation that we have— scientist Wallace J. Nichols argues that
her students in the waters off Taylor Point going on.” that what we do to the environment doesn’t people like Moen who’ve experienced
on the east side of Jamestown, Rhode What exactly is going on? matter,” Moen says. “I can show students “blue mind”—an at-homeness in the
Island, they came upon a molting. “What “You see seasons underwater. You see that it does matter; I literally submerge environment, in general, and the ocean,
we saw was massive. Probably a 6-foot-tall this incredible fluctuation of productivity them in an environment where they can in particular—should share that experi-
ball of thousands of spider crabs,” she with life. In the winter, everything gets see the effect of that thinking. ence with others—for the good of human-
recalls. “They were shedding their exo- really quiet and you tend to have nicer “You just have to make the connection.” kind and the planet.
skeletons for yards and yards. All visibility visibility,” Moen says. “Come summer, In the book, Blue Mind: The Surprising “Our deepest, most primordial emo-
was taken up by spider crabs molting. It nutrients in the water start getting a little Science That Shows How Being Near, tions drive virtually every decision we
just blew my mind.” heavier and your visibility goes down, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You make, from what we buy to the candidates
PHOTO: AYLA FOX
20 SUMMER 2019 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 21we elect,” Nichols writes. “We need to
tell a story that helps people explore and
understand the profound and ancient
emotional and sensual connections that “Change starts with having a personal
lead to a deeper relationship with water. environmental ethic, and that ethic is to
“The Blue Mind story seeks to recon- do no harm. Take care of what you have.”
nect people to nature in ways that make
—Richard C. Rhodes III, Executive Director, Northeastern
them feel good, and shows them how
Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment
water can help them become better ver-
Station Directors and former Associate Dean, Research,
sions of themselves.”
College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Nowadays, Moen’s blue mind finds
its expression in surfing as well as diving.
“What attracted me to the sport
more than anything was how hard it
looked. What better way to be both at Rick Rhodes ponders the waves at Point Judith Lighthouse in
Narragansett, Rhode Island. “When you surf,” says Rhodes, “the
home and to be challenged than surf- power of the ocean just surges under your feet.”
ing?” Moen says. “I am learning things
every single time I paddle out. My god,
does it humble me.
“But, I am a strong believer in the
benefit of experiencing all of these ichard C. “Rick” Rhodes III a gash that ran from the bridge of his nose change, saltwater inundation in soil,
things. In a world where everyday tasks figures he’s been surfing for to the middle of his forehead, arching nutrient-deficient land: These are just
are becoming simplified and less chal- 50 years, three to four days a over his left eyebrow. It required seven some of the issues we face in the near
lenging, we are losing what it means to week. “As frequently as there stitches. future, he says. And then there’s pollution.
be part of something bigger than our- are waves,” he says. “But when I tell the story, seven Every year, approximately 9 million tons
selves,” Moen continues. “Something we How much does Rhodes love the stitches grows to 70,” Rhodes quips. “The of plastic waste enter the ocean, according
cannot control or simplify. For me that ocean? Sit a spell. And fair warning: Surf- worst day of surfing is better than the best to a May 2019 National Geographic article,
is nature, and, more specifically, surfing. ing stories are like fish stories. With each of a whole lot of other things. Even if you “Little Pieces, Big Problems.”
It has helped me become more confi- telling they grow more epic. get skunked, you’re still in the water.” How to change things?
dent and proud of myself. Rhodes had just returned from a work While he is quick to point out that he “Change starts with having a personal
Pride, amazement, wonder, joy, hap- trip to Morocco, where he’d surfed intense came to URI for his career—“The really environmental ethic, and that ethic is to
piness, peace, respect, awe, protective- waves. “I returned to winter in Rhode strong attraction was the job”—Rhodes do no harm. Take care of what you have,”
ness: Such are the feelings and emotions Island and these puny, little waves about considers the Atlantic to be quite the job Rhodes says. “We were taught as graduate
URI professors and staff speak of when head-high in Matunuck,” Rhodes recalls. perk. students to be unimpassioned observers
talking about their beloved ocean and “A wave caught me right in the back and “What I enjoy is being able to tap that of science. But your job—as a scientist, as
the influence it exerts in their work—and I started falling down. The wind caught source and utilize the power of the ocean an educator—is to provide a context for
lives—in ways big, small, and surprising. my board and it hit my head.” for pure, unadulterated fun. It’s unlike data. You are also responsible for provid-
Rhodes blacked out. When he came to, anything else. That thing that you’re rid- ing environmental literacy.
Alex Moen emerges from a dive while he saw a trail of black in the water. Blood. ing is moving, and you’re moving in a dif- “We are all caretakers in this, and we
teaching a class at URI's Narragansett Bay Other surfers were yelling, asking if he ferent dimension, and that is the coolest all have a stake in this.”
Campus. “You see seasons underwater,” says was OK. Rhodes assured them he was fine feeling in the world,” Rhodes says. “The
Moen. “You see this incredible fluctuation of
and began paddling in. When he got into power of the ocean just surges under your
productivity with life.”
the car and caught a look at himself in the feet.”
mirror, he was stunned. “I looked like I’d The up-close-and-personal relation-
been in an axe fight.” ship Rhodes has with the ocean has made
Rhodes called his wife, telling her he him an advocate of scientific literacy;
was headed to the hospital. He’d likely essentially he wants people to understand
need a stitch or two—or so he thought. scientific concepts and processes so they
“In the ER, two nurses and the PA on can make informed and ethical decisions
duty were surfers. They said, ‘Wow, that’s in their personal and professional lives, as
so gnarly. How’d you do that?’” well as at the polls. In his current job,
He laughs, still amused that they were Rhodes examines the way we raise food—
impressed. Rhodes’ injury was significant: and how much food we raise. Climate
22 SUMMER 2019 PHOTOS: NORA LEWIS; COURTESY RICK RHODES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE 23You can also read
