URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Winter_2015_Melissa-McCarthy

winter | 2015

From the Division of Research and Economic Development

“As soon as you start reading this article, your brain begins a journey that allows you not only to recognize symbols and groupings that form words, but also to comprehend information and ideas. How does this happen? How do you remember to enjoy your favorite food? How do you develop a taste for spinach after hating it during your childhood?” These words are taken from the article chronicling the story of the George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, one of the most transformational developments in URI’s history. The catalytic gift from Thomas M. Ryan ’75 and his wife, Cathy, launched a new era in brain science teaching and research at the University of Rhode Island. This is but a glimpse of what you will find in our brand-new edition of URI’s research magazine, Momentum: Research and Innovation . Along with Vice President for Research and Economic Development Gerald Sonnenfeld, I am delighted to present this thoroughly re-

conceptualized and redesigned vehicle for sharing compelling stories of research and scholarship at URI. The articles you will read here reflect the cutting-edge work of URI faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students in the Colleges of Engineering, Environment and Life Sciences, Human Science and Services, and Pharmacy, as well as the Graduate School of Oceanography. But research does not only happen in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The College of Arts and Sciences is equally represented in this issue. Director of the Center for Humanities Annu Palakunnathu Matthew’s brilliant photographic take on cultural identity and Professor of Music Mark Conley’s journey to the impoverished Manda Wilderness of Mozambique to lead a transformative choral and dance festival are just two reminders that research and creative work are endemic to all academic pursuits. You will also find eye-opening examples of collaboration and interdisciplinary research in these pages. Engineering and chemistry professors have formed a practical partnership around the use of nanoparticles to combat oil spills. The Rhode Island Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), led by Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Carol Thornber, leverages relationships among nine of the state’s colleges and universities, bringing multiple perspectives and disciplines to bear on the challenges of climate change. If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re thinking big about research and discovery at URI. That’s why this rich collection barely scratches the surface of what’s happening at the University today – and why we intend to bring you two issues annually of Momentum: Research and Innovation . Enjoy this inaugural edition.

Momentum: Research & Innovation

David M. Dooley, Ph.D. President

Welcome to the new Research and Economic Development magazine. Everything is new, including the name of Momentum: Research and Innovation . The magazine is designed to highlight exciting new activities in research, scholarly activity and economic development at the University of Rhode Island. We hope that this will make our readers, both at the University and around the state, country and world, be aware of the fascinating and remarkable discoveries and creations occurring at our wonderful institution. We hope you will enjoy Momentum: Research and Innovation and come back to future issues. All of the writing has been done by University of Rhode Island faculty, staff and graduate students. The contents were chosen and assembled by our editor. I thank and congratulate all of those involved in developing a great magazine.

Gerald Sonnenfeld, Ph.D. Vice President for Research

and Economic Development