URIs_MOMENTUM_Research_and_Innovation_Magazine_Spring_2023_M

INSIDE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Marc B. Parlange, Ph.D. President, URI Peter J. Snyder, Ph.D. Former Vice President URI Division of Research and Economic Development Professor of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor of Art and Art History Bethany D. Jenkins, Ph.D. Interim Vice President URI Division of Research and Economic Development

GLOBAL WARMING AND RISING SEAS THREATEN THE BARRIER ISLANDS OF BELIZE . URI students and professors visit Belize and discover significant beach erosion and plastics debris on the tiny island, within 3 years of their last visit. Page 4 RATS FROM A DISTANT ARCHIPELAGO ARE REWRITING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN HISTORY. Underwater archaeologist Professor Bridget Buxton and her team sailed across the Indian Ocean on the trail of ancient Roman seafarers — and the rats who sailed with them. On a remote archipelago, they discovered more than one kind of treasure. Page 8 THE LAYERS OF A PLACE . URI Assistant Professor Madison Jones uses digital technology like web-based apps, digital maps, and augmented reality to connect communities to the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of places. He develops this place-based work through a layered approach to storytelling called “deep mapping.” Page 22 USING ROBOTS TO TRACK ICEBERGS. Researchers from URI and the University of South Florida are developing a multi-platform robotic system that can more accurately map drifting icebergs and measure surrounding water properties. The goal is not only to better mitigate risks from icebergs, but also to predict potential environmental changes, such as sea level rise. Page 28 KELP FARMING HELPS REDUCE LOCAL PRESSURES OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION. Assistant Professor of Oceanography Hongjie Wang and the Point Judith Kelp Company are researching kelp to see if it can uptake mitigate the local ocean acidification. Page 34 MAKING WAVES : THE RIMADE PROGRAM PROVIDES VITAL RESOURCES TO HELP LOCAL COMPANIES IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY. The URI Research Foundation is helping URI faculty and students collaborate with Rhode Island companies that want to work with the Department of Defense in the areas of automation and robotics, cyber resiliency, and risk mitigation. Page 38

Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Graduate School of Oceanography Editorial Board Melissa McCarthy, M.A. ‘99, Editor-in-Chief Chris Barrett ‘08 Amy Dunkle Allison Farrelly ‘16 Shaun Kirby ’07 Peter J. Snyder, Ph.D. Molly Stevens ‘20 Contributing Writers

Chris Barrett ‘08 Michael Blanding Allison Farrelly ‘16 Meredith Haas ’07, ’22 Elaine Lembo Hugh Markey Peter J. Snyder, Ph.D.

Layout & Design: Krisanne Murray, DesignRoom.co Photography: Beau Jones

Momentum: Research & Innovation is published by the vice president for Research and Economic Development with editorial, graphic design, and production by the Office of University Research External Relations.

For more information contact: Melissa McCarthy, M.A. ‘99, Editor-in-Chief Director, University Research External Relations University of Rhode Island

75 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881 USA Telephone: 401.874.2599 E-mail: melissa@uri.edu Website: web.uri.edu/research

LASERS AND IRON COULD REVOLUTIONIZE WATER TREATMENT. URI researchers are taking fundamental knowledge in the chemistry field and applying it in a meaningful way that improves people’s quality of life by using light to convert a form of iron to a highly reactive and powerful chemical oxidant capable of treating persistent pollutants. Page 42 FROM TRASH TO TEXTILES: A CIRCULAR ECONOMY. URI Assistant Professor Izabela Ciesielska-Wrobel and the Kestrel Innovative Fibers LLC of Wakefield, Rhode Island collaborate on the possible circular economy of plastics, taking recycled plastics and make them into garments. Page 48 CELL PHONE APP HELPS BATTLE CHOLERA RESEARCH SHOWS HOPE FOR PINPOINTING CHOLERA HOTSPOTS. A team of researchers from URI, Pennsylvania, and Bangladesh studied water events and cholera outbreaks, then developed an app pinpointing cholera hotspots for the general public to use. Page 52

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Cover photo by URI Professor Bridget Buxton on the sailboat Jocara in the Chagos Archipelago of the British Indian Ocean Territory.