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CELS Summer Research Fellowship,
Rhode Island Sea Grant (RISG),
and
Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management (RIDEM)
2025 COMBINED PROJECT LIST
(Updated 2.17.2025)
CELS Summer Research Fellowship
Project List (projects # 1-30 & 36)
(Listed by Department/Major)�
Biocontrol Lab (URI)
1- Biological control of invasive swallow-worts with Hypena opulenta
The URI biocontrol lab initiated a classical biocontrol program for invasive swallow-worts, utilizing a moth, Hypena opulenta, as the biocontrol agent. In 2025 we will hire a fellow to collect data to evaluate the status of H. opulenta. Is it present at release sites, or near release sites? Can we quantify damage caused to foliage of swallow-worts by H. opulenta? The student will have a schedule of activities (field monitoring of swallow-wort plants) and night time sheet mothing to detect moths at various locations. Many will be in Rhode Island, but we do have a few sites in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The student will be independent in maintaining their schedule, and organizing trips, but where appropriate will also have a mentor or a peer accompany them (especially night time mothing!). The general schedule will be Monday to Friday for a minimum of 20 hours a week, but occasional weekend hours are possible. Due to the need to make some night time mothing plans, the student can adjust day time schedules as necessary to accommodate this. It is good to have a personal vehicle to use on occasion, and you will be reimbursed for mileage. A University vehicle will be available most of the time for field visits. There are other projects at the lab so a 35 hour a week schedule is also possible.
This project requires primarily lab and field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website/Social Media: https://web.uri.edu/biocontrol/ on Facebook URI Biocontrol and on Instagram uri_biocontrol
Hours: ~20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Lisa Tewksbury, lisat@uri.edu
2- Resident parasitoids of native planthoppers in Rhode Island
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a planthopper native to China that was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. This pest poses a threat to agriculture and could seriously impact grape, orchard, and nursery production. In 2025, we will be hiring a fellow to evaluate and identify all resident parasitoid wasps of native planthoppers in Rhode Island. By identifying resident dryinid wasp species in Rhode Island we can begin to determine their host range and implications for biocontrol of spotted lanternfly.
The student will initiate and conduct weekly field collections of immature stages of native planthoppers across Rhode Island at various locations (forest, meadow, wetland, etc.) and observe rates of parasitism in those field collected planthoppers. The student will be independent in scheduling field collection trips, as well as organizing and maintaining lab studies for this project. The general schedule will be Monday to Friday for 35 hours a week, but occasional weekend hours are possible. A University vehicle will be available most of the time for field visits. It is good to have a personal vehicle to use on occasion, and you will be reimbursed for mileage. Research experience is not required, but a knowledge of taxonomy and an interest in entomology is highly preferred.
This project requires primarily lab and field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website/Social Media: https://web.uri.edu/biocontrol/ , Facebook: URI Biocontrol , Instagram: uri_biocontrol
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dana Terrill, dana_crandall@uri.edu
Biological Sciences �(BIO)
3- Using genomic data to understand species relationships
Computational analysis of genome sequence data. Prior experience with (and enjoyment of) computational work from BIO 104 (R) is strongly preferred. Ability to work independently and communicate with the supervisor on a regular basis is required. Please contact Dr. Rachel Schwartz for further information regarding this project.
This project requires primarily computational work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Rachel Schwartz, rsschwartz@uri.edu
4- Plant interactions with herbivores and pollinators
The Fellow will help with research involving both plant-pollinator and plant-herbivore interactions. Applicants will work outdoors with a small team under sometimes-difficult conditions and indoors on a range of experiments. While 35 hrs/week will be standard, some weeks may be longer or shorter depending on the work being done. Must be dependable, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, and willing to learn and ask questions.
This project requires primarily Laboratory and Field work.
<1 year of research experience required.
Website: https://web.uri.edu/preisserlab/
Hours: ~35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Evan Preisser, preisser@uri.edu
5- Vertical habitat use of smooth hammerhead sharks off Long Island, NY
Many marine animals live in a three-dimensional habitat and occupy specific parts of potential habitats to minimize stress and risk of predation and to maximize prey capture and survival. Knowledge about habitat use of marine animals such as sharks improves understanding of their role in marine ecosystems and how changes in habitat associated with human activities such as habitat degradation and climate change may reduce or alter habitat selection of these animals. For this project, the student will analyze archival satellite transmitter data to document temperature and depth habitat use of smooth hammerhead sharks tagged off Long Island, NY. Travel to Long Island for tagging of additional smooth hammerhead sharks may be part of the internship and regular shark tagging on the URI research vessel Hope Hudner along with other students will be part of the work for the internship.
The work will be a combination of computer work and fieldwork on the boat. Fieldwork may involve long days on the water under less-than-ideal conditions. Previous experience with organizing and analyzing large databases (with Excel and/or R) are preferred. The student should be able to provide their own transportation to Wickford Shipyard for shark tagging in Rhode Island.
This project requires laboratory, field, and computational work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/wetherbee/
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Brad Wetherbee, wetherbee@uri.edu
6- Ecology of Lyme disease
This study centers on the tick microbiome and the impacts of association of hard ticks and its microbiome on the behavior, physiology, and ecology of disease-transmitting ticks. Experience working with insects or other arthropods is preferred, and students will need to be comfortable learning to handle ticks in the field and laboratory settings. Students will be working as part of the Couret research group with the PI, postdoc, and graduate students. Typical work schedule is 4 days a week for 6-8 hours a day, but some days may be longer, with the heaviest workload in June. The working conditions will vary between the lab in Woodward Hall and working in a variety of forested and suburban areas such as backyards. Transportation or living on campus is preferred as field work begins early in the morning in the summer (7-7:30am).
This project requires laboratory, field, and public outreach.
<1 year of research experience required
Website: https://web.uri.edu/wetherbee/
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Jannelle Couret, ncouret@uri.edu
7- How do multiple coastal stressors structure the genomic diversity of marine populations?
Fellows will be responsible for conducting experiments on larval and juvenile oysters at the Narragansett Bay Campus. This will involve feeding, maintaining, and spawning adult oysters. It also requires larval culture and experimental maintenance, and water quality monitoring and testing. Larval experiments may require time commitments at odd hours and over weekends.
This project requires laboratory, Wet lab work in a facility with flowing sea water and raising oysters.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: MarineEvoEco.com
Hours: ~30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Puritz, jpuritz@uri.edu
36 - CBLS Museum Collection: Parasitology and invertebrate collection-inventory and preservation
This is a project for an independent, organized and driven undergraduate student or two to help Inventory, catalogue, and write brief descriptions of the Parasitology slide collection, as well as additional invertebrate specimens located in the CBLS museum collection.
There is a large collection of high-quality slides and preserved specimens in CBLS 041, as part of the CBLS Museum Collection. Many of them are in a cupboard that has been locked since CBLS opened in 2009, but was recently opened up. We now have a staggering collection of over 100 boxes of slides from this old collection. Each slide box could hold 100 slides. This huge collection likely contains incredibly valuable and useful slides, some dating back over a century, but we just don't know what is in there. I would like to supervise a talented and dedicated undergrad or two who would be willing to:
1) work in a lab with microscopes,
2) conduct online searches for scientific names of parasites to record and organize the slides
3) create a usable/ searchable spreadsheet database
4) work on a large project and can organize themselves and the slides.
5) potentially photograph and digitize the materials for extended use as an online resource.
6) help assess, organize, and as needed re-preserve specimens from the larger invertebrate collection.
Even if students don't get through all the slides or collection, if they can get an overall inventory and get started on organizing, this would be very helpful.
Limited-to-no research experience required.
The project requires mostly laboratory and literature work.
Hours: 20-30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Niels Hobbs, nvshobbs@uri.edu
Biological & Environmental Sciences �(BSE/GSO)
8- Remote Sensing of Mesophotic Coral Reef Environments
Background:�Mesophotic coral ecosystems are diverse light-dependent coral and other associated organisms that occur in lower light (30 m to 150 m water depth) environments that have been poorly studied primarily due to lack of accessibility (deeper than typical SCUBA limits). These marine communities, like others globally, will be affected by climate change. Immobile, or sessile, organisms like coral stand to be impacted strongly because whether they can move to adapt to the environmental change remains unknown. Warming temperatures and ocean acidification are some of the physiochemical changes that could cause shifts in distribution. ��Proposed Fellow Research Topic:�Understanding present-day environmental processes and conditions that these coral ecosystems experience is difficult because they lie deeper than typical SCUBA dive limits. In our lab, we use benthic (seafloor) landers and sensors on them to collect environmental condition information at the seafloor near a coral ecosystem. We currently work and study mesophotic ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. Using satellite data to understand environmental dynamics below the surface of the ocean is very difficult. If we can pair measurements of variables from landers on the seafloor, like underwater light, to measurements collected by satellites over the same region and time, we might be able to create relationships between certain variables that are statistically robust. In this way, we can ‘mine’ previous satellite data over the same region to see different trends over time, and maybe we might be able to extract trends that were previously overlooked for the region or unknown. Mesophotic ecosystems grow and survive on the scale of tens to hundreds of years so being able to access satellite and previous information on their environmental condition can prove to be useful. The research is ongoing, and we expect the coastal fellow to be an engaged scholar who, by the end, can describe the problems of the system and be able to generate questions that can be reasonably be answered.��Ideal candidate (experience is recommended but not required to apply):�The summer intern will develop an understanding of how the environment influences organisms and their distribution using mesophotic coral ecosystems as a case-study. The ideal candidate should be familiar with ecological concepts and computers. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) and coding experience (R or python) is extremely helpful to manage, visualize, and investigate the level 3 satellite data (from Ocean Color Database, NASA). The first few weeks will focus on bringing the intern up to speed on the mechanics and theory and the goal for the end is to have created a mechanism or method that can investigate past satellite data for environmental trends over regions that we study (mesophotic coral ecosystems of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary). Specifics of the project will be created through a collaborative learning environment.��This project requires mostly computational work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://marecotec.com/
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Philip Yang, philip_yang@uri.edu and Kristopher Gomes, kristofer_gomes@uri.edu
Block Island Maritime Institute �(BIMI)
9- Block Island Maritime Institute Summer Internship (BIMI) – (1 of 2)
The Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI) is located on the shore of the Great Salt Pond about a mile from downtown and the ferries from the mainland. During July and August, we open our aquarium to visitors; offer daily educational programs; host Tuesday Talks with a variety of experts in maritime and environmental fields; and conduct periodic morning boat tours of the Great Salt Pond. BIMI also conducts field trips around the island focusing on native marine plant and animal species gathering and identification and sponsors week-long explorations in environmental education for high school students.��Summer interns gain experience in public outreach, conducting hands-on science explorations and education and aquarist duties. If you enjoy working with the public, especially children; meeting expert lecturers in a variety of fields; love the outdoors; and are looking for summer employment with a dynamic organization in a remarkable location, BIMI might be the perfect opportunity. ��Interns will work an average of 35 hours per week. Most of the activities provided to visitors occur outdoors and can include long periods of time walking in the sun, wind and/or rain. Intern housing is provided in a share living arrangement at no cost to the student. ��Primary Responsibilities include:�- Providing a welcoming environment for visitors, both adults and children. �-Engaging with visitors at our aquarium exhibits, providing education about the species on display. Further educating visitors about BIMI, Block Island, its local flora and fauna, sustainable marine systems, and various other marine science and maritime activities.�-Actively encouraging guests to visit the aquariums and participate in programs, providing ongoing education as to opportunities that are available.�-Participating in the creation of social media content on at least a weekly basis for the duration of the internship. �-Assist and provide oversight to volunteers. �-Documenting daily activities, observations, and research. �-Under direction of the Operations Manager, providing maintenance of the aquarium tanks and Institute facilities. �-Distributing posters, brochures, and other program information electronically and at locations around the Island. �-Participating in other island activities and coordinating with staff from other environmental education and community support programs on the island.�-Assisting with visiting school groups and clubs as needed.�-Sales of merchandise and programs. Encouraging donations.�-Other duties as assigned.��*PLEASE CONTINUE ONTO THE NEXT SLIDE FOR REMAINDER OF PROJECT DESCRIPTION*
9- Block Island Maritime Institute Summer Internship, Cont’d - (2 of 2)
Specific Qualifications:�-Working knowledge of marine science, ecology, or marine environmental education. �-Experience working with children in an educational or recreational setting is preferred.�-HIGHLY motivated and self-driven – must be an independent thinker and accomplish tasks independently.�-Effective communication skills – must have the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors of all ages.�-Ability to interact appropriately with children, adults, and peers.�-Familiarity with various social media formats and ability to post on BIMI’s behalf preferred.�-Must be able to work effectively in a team structure. BIMI staff live and work on the same premises requiring that interns be able to communicate effectively with the BIMI team, seeking out support from co-workers and/or the Director and Operations Manager when needed.�-Must be able to provide evidence of a criminal background check completed by the local police.�-Must be able to complete First Aid and CPR training prior to employment. (BIMI will reimburse this expense as needed).�-Lifeguard experience preferred.�-Experience in water sports is preferred.�-Bilingual preferred.�-Must be able to work outdoors in the sun over long periods of time.�-Must be able to walk over uneven terrain for long periods of time.�-Must be able to climb a ladder.�-Must be able to lift heavy objects��Essential activities (including groceries) are within walking distance, but bringing a bicycle is suggested.�
This project requires primarily field and public outreach work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: blockislandmaritime.org
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Valerie Blansfield, bimi028907@gmail.com/valpreler@gmail.com
Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
10- Diversity and Distribution of Foraminifera in Coastal Wetlands of Rhode Island
The foraminifera protists are unicellular microeukaryotes widely distributed in sedimentary environment in coastal wetlands. However, little is known about their diversity and distribution among coastal ecosystems in Rhode Island. In this project, student will assistant in the field sampling of top layer sediments in salt marshes across multiple sampling sites in Rhode Island. In the laboratory, students will also gain advanced training in microscopic imaging and molecular sequencing for measuring the abundance of foraminifera species in the samples.��Expected skills: Course preparation in microbiology and/or microbial ecology. Prior experiences in microscopic imaging and/or molecular work are preferred. ��Work style: The students will work both as groups and independently in the lab. ��Work schedule: Most work will be carried out during regular workdays, but the field sampling is dependent on catching the low-tide conditions, so occasionally a sampling trip may occur during early morning hours or weekends. We will work with the students to identify optimal scheduling. ��Work conditions: The project will involve both working in the field and in the laboratory environment. Students are expected to take safety trainings and follow instructions from their mentors to ensure a safe and inclusive working environment.
1+ years of research experience required.
This project requires Primarily Laboratory and Field work.
Website: https://zhanglab.uri.edu/
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Ying Zhang, yingzhang@uri.edu
Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science �(FAVS)
11- Developing methods to support genetic improvement of eastern oysters
The USDA ARS Shellfish Genetics Laboratory, located at the University of Rhode Island is charged with conducting research that supports shellfish aquaculture in the Northeast U.S.A. Specifically, we are developing an eastern oyster breeding program that will provide oyster farms from Maine to New York with high performing oyster seed adapted to local conditions. There are many components to oyster breeding, including animal husbandry in the laboratory and on the farm throughout the life cycle, performance measurement and analysis, genetic analysis, and collection of environmental data to correlate with performance traits. An additional research objective is to develop tools that make breeding more efficient and precise. Much of the tool development has both basic experimental and applied components. For example, we are combining disease challenge models with molecular diagnostic and physiological assays breed for disease resistance with greater precision. We are also in the early stages of developing a molecular (quantitative PCR) tool that can distinguish between male and female oysters non-destructively. This tool will enable the development of advanced breeding plans.
�The overarching project offers opportunities for interested students to acquire and perfect valuable skills in aquaculture and genetics. The internship will also promote organizational, communication, effective workflow management, and analytical skills. While not required, some experience with basic laboratory skills (pipetting, centrifugation, microscopy), data entry and quality control (excel and google sheets), and record keeping are preferred. Students will be exposed to most, if not all, aspects of the project in some capacity. Some tasks will require working with a group and/or outdoors (e.g. seed counting/deployment days) and others will allow for independent work after proper training (e.g. DNA extraction/quantification). USDA facilities are distributed across the URI Kingston Campus, URI Narragansett Bay Campus, and the Matunuck Oyster Hatchery, making access to transportation a must. The work schedule is somewhat flexible; however, we expect a minimum commitment of 4 days per week and 6 hours per day. There may a few days that require long hours. We do not anticipate any unsupervised weekend work.�
This project requires primarily Laboratory, Field, and Computational work.
Limited-to-no research experience required.
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Dina Proestou, dina.proestou@usda.gov (FAVS/USDA Agricultural Research Service)
12- Hormone analyses to advance New England cottontail conservation
This research project is conducted using non-invasive samples collected from New England cottontails in a conservation breeding program at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. You will receive all of the lab training required to conduct the research independently. This fellowship is 3 days per week (20 hours/week) on a fixed schedule of your choosing during the work week. All of the work will be completed in the lab in CBLS. No prior experience is required.
This project requires Primarily lab work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Justin Richard, jt_richard@uri.edu
13- Identifying and managing causes of larval crashes in bivalve hatcheries
Bivalve hatcheries experience “crashes” that seriously compromise production of seed for�an expanding aquaculture industry. Besides vibriosis, the cause/s of many crashes of�bivalve larvae are unknown. There is growing evidence that the “hatchery microbiome” is�an important factor in production outcomes. Our overall goal is to develop novel tools to�increase larval resilience and improve production in shellfish hatcheries. We are�currently working with industry partners to determine potential causes of larval crashes.
The fellows will put together and send diagnostic kits to bivalve hatcheries, and process samples and data provided by hatcheries using a variety of diagnostic methods, including microbiology, histology, challenge assays with oyster and clam larvae and hemocytes, water quality analysis, and complex data analysis. Basic experience with one or more of the following techniques (or interest in practicing them) would be a plus: aseptic techniques, microbiology, maintenance and handling of bivalves, phytoplankton culture.
This project requires Primarily lab work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri, gomezchi@uri.edu
Geosciences �(GEO)
14- Rainfall-runoff model for Providence
Flood model development is a critical process for understanding and managing flood risks in urban areas like Providence. This involves creating simulation models that predict how water flows over land during storm events, helping city planners, engineers, and policymakers make informed decisions. The development of such models typically includes several stages: data collection, model selection, calibration, validation, and scenario analysis.��Students interested in flood model development should cultivate a diverse set of skills. First, proficiency in geographic information systems (GIS) is crucial, as these tools are essential for spatial analysis and visualization of flood-prone areas. Understanding hydrology and hydraulics is also key, as these principles underpin the behavior of water in various environments. Additionally, programming skills in languages such as Python or R can enhance a student's ability to manipulate data and automate simulations.��Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are necessary for interpreting complex datasets and drawing meaningful conclusions. Familiarity with statistical analysis and modeling techniques will help students assess the accuracy of their models and refine their predictions. Furthermore, effective communication skills are vital, as presenting findings to stakeholders and the public requires clarity and persuasion.��Finally, teamwork and collaboration are important, as flood modeling often involves interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from engineering, environmental science, and urban planning. By developing these skills, students will be well-prepared to contribute to flood risk management initiatives that protect communities like Providence from future flooding events.
This project requires computational and literature work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/geo/soni
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Soni Pradhanang, spradhanang@uri.edu
15- Groundwater Well Assessment to Study Impacts of Dam Removal
Groundwater well assessment plays a pivotal role in studying the environmental impacts of dam removal, particularly regarding changes in hydrology and water quality. In a recent case study, researchers embarked on assessing groundwater wells situated upstream and downstream of a recently deconstructed dam. Their goal was to understand how the removal influenced groundwater levels, flow patterns, and adjacent ecosystems.��The project began with a detailed site assessment, where scientists collected hydrological and geological data to identify relevant well locations. They monitored water levels over several months, measuring fluctuations that indicated the dam's influence on groundwater. By analyzing water samples for contaminants and nutrients, the team sought to determine whether dam removal led to an improvement in water quality, particularly in areas that had previously been stagnant due to the dam.��Students interested in participating in such studies should develop a range of essential skills. Familiarity with hydrogeology is critical, as it provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand groundwater flow dynamics. Proficiency in data collection techniques, including water sampling and well monitoring, is necessary to ensure accurate and reliable results.��Additionally, students should be adept in statistical analysis and modeling, enabling them to interpret complex datasets and draw meaningful conclusions. Strong communication skills are essential for effectively sharing findings with stakeholders and the local community. Lastly, teamwork and collaboration play a significant role, as interdisciplinary efforts often yield the most comprehensive understanding of groundwater impacts following dam removal. By honing these skills, students can contribute to vital research that informs water resource management and ecosystem restoration initiatives.�
This project requires field, computational, and literature work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/geo/soni
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Soni Pradhanang, spradhanang@uri.edu
Metcalf Institute/CELS
16- MONA- Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy
The fellow will be assisting in the logistics and planning of the pilot Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy workshop. This pilot program is a collaboration between Metcalf Institute and Ocean Nexus. Focusing on ocean equity research we hope to bring 3 journalists to URI, match them with a research scientist within the Ocean Nexus group (via an in-person workshop here at URI) and provide coaching for 3 months. Students will assist in the selection of journalists, planning the workshop and develop evaluation tools to determine program success and long-term scalability. Fellows will have a flexible schedule but will be required to be in person for the workshop (tentatively July 2025). Fellows will work with multiple members of the Metcalf team. Basic communications and social media skills required as are an interest in climate and environmental issues. Forward thinking, ability to manage time and attention to details are highly desirable.
This project requires primarily Computational, Public Outreach, Workshop/training and evaluation.
Open to any student interested in project topic and willing to learn!
Website: oceannexus.org and https://web.uri.edu/metcalf/
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Erin Edmonds- Asst Director, eedmonds@uri.edu
Natural Resource Sciences (NRS)
17- Effects of habitat loss on coral reef fishes
The degradation and loss of coral habitat is a major causes of population decline, and this project will test ideas about the mechanisms for decline at the species level. One widely supported prediction is that habitat-generalists are predicted to be less vulnerable to decline than species with narrow specialized habitat requirements. This prediction is based on the idea that generalist species they have more options when habitat degrades than specialists. One potential mechanism for this flexibility, based on habitat-selection theory, is that, as high-quality habitat degrades, individuals will occupy sites of progressively lower quality habitat until no suitable habitat remains. We will test this idea using a small common coral reef fish. The fellow will assist with a field study performed on SCUBA that involves tracking the fate of individual fish occupying different habitat types. Working underwater on SCUBA, the fellow will assist with capture and relocation of fish to different coral reef habitats, plus monitoring their behavior and survival. ��The fellow will also have the opportunity to assist with a coral restoration project that will involve transplanting at-risk corals to safe sites. In response to the ongoing die-off of corals worldwide, the active restoration of coral populations has become an important part of coral reef conservation programs. Since 2021, several slow-growing boulder and brain corals species have been driven close to extinction by a disease epidemic. Some of the survivors of these species are also in areas where boats regularly anchor, which creates another source of mortality to the surviving corals. This project will test methods of transplanting these corals to new sites where they are free from immediate risk and, thereby, increase their chances of long-term survival and recovery.��We are looking for a coastal fellow who has the following qualifications:�1) A passport and willingness to spend roughly 4 weeks of the summer at an isolated Caribbean field site is essential.�2) Current AAUS research diver certification is essential by late May. See https://web.uri.edu/research-admin/diving-safety-research-program/scientific-research/for diving requirements. Applicants with both a current AAUS research diving certification and some experience (e.g. > 50 logged research dives) may be preferred.�5) The ability to perform physically demanding field work for long hours each day in a team setting under sometimes stressful field conditions is essential. Some specific tasks include the ability to lift and carry SCUBA tanks (approx. 43 lb) and paddle a kayak approx. 1.5 miles.�3) A strong academic background in ecology and marine biology, and an interest in marine conservation is preferred. Willingness to read primary scientific literature and contribute to project design.�4) Familiarity with the animals and plants that occupy Caribbean coral reefs is a plus but not essential. The ability to recognize coral and fish species visually may be preferred.�6) An understanding of basic statistical principles and linear models (such as regression and ANOVA) familiarity with MS Excel and R is preferable.
This project primarily involves field and computational work.�
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: ~20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Graham Forrester, gforrester@uri.edu
18- Improving the effectiveness of beach cleanups
Litter on beaches, particularly plastic objects, causes direct harmful effects on wildlife and indirect impacts on coastal ecosystems. Save the Bay coordinates beach cleanups throughout Rhode Island and encourages volunteers to collect information on the trash collected. The RI information is compiled and shared with the Ocean Conservancy as part of a global database. The database is used by scientists to understand patterns in trash deposition and is used to advocate for changes in policy, recycling, and manufacturing of goods that are discarded. ��The goal of this project is to test ways to improve the value of the information collected by volunteers, and to augment the information available from cleanups. The objectives were developed in consultation with Save the Bay staff and are based on 17 years of URI involvement (the URI 101 class has participated since 2007). It will involve a mix of field investigation (trash/data collection) and analysis of the RI cleanup data. ��Objective 1: Enhance the resolution of cleanup data. Volunteers are asked to classify trash collected into broad categories (e.g. food wrapper, bottle, fishing line) and record their data in a cel phone app. Working at East Beach, we would trial collection methods at a higher resolution (e.g. identifying the brand of food wrapper, or beer bottle vs soda bottle). They would help identify the level of detail that maximizes information collected without placing an undue time burden on volunteers. ��Objective 2: Test the influence of weather on trash accumulation. The most common trash items on RI beaches over the past 30 years have shifted from cigarette butts to small plastic/foam pieces. Frequent small collections in 2025 would be used to correlate shifts in trash abundance with the weather. Interpreting long-term trends in the abundance of these small light items would be enhanced by understand how they are moved on and off beaches by rain and wind. ��Objective 3: Test the effect of State policies on trash accumulation. Analysis of the regional database would allow testing of the effect of bottle deposit laws - by comparing RI CT and MA (which have financial incentives for returning bottles). An effect of this policy would be indicated by the frequency of bottles relative to other trash (and especially to bottle caps, which are not incentivized for return). A similar analysis could be done to test the effect of policies on single use plastic shopping bags (regulated in 2019 in CT and 2024 in MA).�
This project primarily involves field and computational work.�
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Graham Forrester, gforrester@uri.edu
19- Restoration of the American Chestnut
MA/RI Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the restoration of the American chestnut. We support and work in coordination with The American Chestnut Foundation, other state chapters, and our much-appreciated volunteers and cooperating organizations. Our orchards are primarily composed of hybrid American chestnuts that incorporate varying amounts of Chinese chestnut blight resistance.��The Massachusetts5/Rhode Island chapter and Professor Laura Meyerson is seeking three Summer Coastal Fellows for Summer 2025 for a period of 10 weeks. Fellows will work across multiple orchards in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including on the URI campus. Interns will be working in the field and in the Meyerson greenhouse at URI. assisting with tasks such as planting of seedlings, care of chestnut seedlings, hand pollinations in orchards, testing pollen viability, orchard and tree maintenance. Fellows will also be assisting with communication, outreach, and maintaining databases. Other tasks will be assigned as needed. Since travel to different orchards is required, interns must have their own transportation and will be reimbursed for mileage costs. Orchard conditions may be hot at times and some of the tasks require physical labor and getting dirty. Students with skills in database management and field experience will receive greater priority.��This project primarily involves Laboratory, Field, Computational and Public Outreach.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Instagram: uri_restoration_and_invasion
Hours: 25 hours/wk.
Fellowship Mentor: Dr. Laura Meyerson, lameyerson@uri.edu
20- Salt Marsh Carbon Storage and Greenhouse Gas Flux
The fellow will assist a graduate student with a project researching methane and carbon dioxide emissions in tidal marshes. We are investigating the role of salinity in regulating methane emission and evaluating how we may leverage soil properties and spatial information about soils in order to improve estimate of greenhouse gas balance. We will be using gas chromatography and portable greenhouse gas analyzers to collect data. The fellow will learn and execute protocols for analyzing physical and chemical properties of tidal marsh soil as well as the ionic composition of natural waters. This program is ideal for students interested in marine biology, soils, biogeochemistry, coastal resilience, coastal land management, conservation, environmental monitoring and data science. ��This will entail trips into the field to conduct greenhouse gas sampling from static chambers, as well as collecting other important data. We will be going into the 2-3 times a week for 2-4 hours at a time. The fellow will also assist with laboratory analyses involving of soil properties and water chemistry. Experience is not required, training will be given. The fellow must be prepared to work outside in hot and sunny conditions. Travel to field sites will be provided. The fellow will work independently or alongside the graduate student Work will be approximately 5 days a week (Mon-Fri), with the possibility of long days depending on tide and field conditions. Outdoor work will be conducted in salt marsh environments, which can be very hot and humid during the summer, so proper hydration and attire are required. Some heavy lifting is required to transport supplies to the field. Some sites are kayak/small boat access so the fellow should be comfortable paddling or being on the water.
�This project primarily involves laboratory and field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://mosemanvaltierralab.weebly.com/
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Fellowship Mentor: Dr. Michael Norton, michael.norton@uri.edu
21- Volunteer Monitoring with Watershed Watch
URI Watershed Watch (WW) is a Cooperative Extension volunteer water quality monitoring program in the Natural Resources Science Department. We are the largest volunteer monitoring/citizen science program in RI. There are ~400 volunteers in the program, 1 full-time staff and 3-4 students. Each year we take on 1-2 Coastal Fellows as student staff, who are fully integrated into all aspects of the program, from training new volunteers, field monitoring, lab analyses, and data entry to helping with public outreach. Fellows work with the mentor to develop a project that advances or expands core WW programs, such as cyanobacteria monitoring, microbiology or pollution projects, or advanced lake water quality research. Alternatively, Fellows may work directly with coastal or river watershed organizations on a project of the organization’s choosing.
Qualifications: Ability to work well in a group as well as independently. Comfortable working in a laboratory and also outdoors. Good computer skills, Excel in particular, are extremely helpful. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to swim. Attention to details, willingness to read and follow directions and an interest in working with a diverse clientele (our volunteers) and staff are preferred. Interest in water quality, salt or fresh. Interest and courses in the sciences, biological or physical are helpful. Working hours are typically Monday through Friday during the day, but monthly there is a Saturday water collection that students must be able to work.
This project requires Primarily lab but some field and outreach work too.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/watershedwatch/
Hours: 20-30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Elizabeth Herron, eherron@uri.edu
22- New England Cottontail Conservation Genetics
The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is a species of conservation concern and the focus of a multi-agency and multi-institutional effort to conserve the species. Some of the main reasons for their decline have been the loss of habitat and competition from the non-native eastern cottontail. In Rhode Island, New England cottontail have nearly disappeared from the landscape. In collaboration with the RI Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners throughout the Northeastern United States, we have been documenting the distribution of New England cottontail and eastern cottontail. Each year, our collaborators collect thousands of rabbit pellets and we extract DNA from the samples to identify the species of origin.
This project would include processing fecal samples for species identification, learning conservation genetic laboratory techniques, database management, and computer analyses. This information will help state and federal biologists conserve the species. The location of the laboratory work would be at the Wildlife Genetics and Ecology Laboratory in the Coastal Institute on URI’s main campus. Preferred skills are experience conducting laboratory work using micropipettes, computer analyses, course work on genetics and conservation, and enthusiasm for conserving species.
This project primarily involves lab and computational work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://uri-wgel.wixsite.com/uri-wgel
Hours: 30 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. T.J. McGreevy, tjmcg@uri.edu
Plant Science & Entomology (PSE)
23- Residential tick management assessment and natural tick repellent testing
Effective residential tick control and repellent use are important tools for preventing tick bites and disease. Fellows will assist researchers on projects related to assessing residential tick control and testing efficacy of natural tick repellents. Interns will assist with Project ITCH (stands for Is Tick Control Helping) activities being conducted in Rhode Island as part of a large New England-wide collaboration and involves recruiting and then sampling in 50-60 Rhode Island residential yards where homeowners either do or do not use some form of tick control.
In addition to tick sampling, students will assist in administering surveys to participants and curating tick samples for pathogen testing. Interns will also assist researchers evaluating natural tick repellent product efficacy in the laboratory using an experiment rodent model.
This project requires primarily Laboratory, Field, and Public Outreach work.
Open to any student interested in research topic, enjoy field work and teamwork, and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/tickencounter/
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Thomas Mather, tmather@uri.edu
24- Mosquito-borne diseases surveillance
Conduct weekly mosquito trapping, identify adult mosquitoes to species and manage data.
Team of 4 seasonal employees, familiarity with dissecting microscope, work weekdays 8-4, June - Sept., independent field-work, lab at East farm, URI, reimbursed for use of personal vehicle.
This project requires primarily lab and field work.
Limited-to-no research experience required.
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Alan Gettman, agettman@etal.uri.edu (Adjunct Professor in PSE and RI Department of Environmental Management, RIDEM)
25- Biocontrol of spotted wing drosophila
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive fruit fly negatively impacting many growers in RI. The URI Biocontrol Lab began releasing the classical biocontrol agent, a wasp Ganaspis kimorum in 2024. In 2025 we are looking for a full-time student to manage rearing a colony of wasps for release in RI, and continue monitoring for establishment and impact on SWD. Once trained, the student will work independently to manage daily colony rearing activities and weekly field collections of various cultivated and wild-growing berries at various farms and sites in RI.
The job will have a mix of lab (~70%) and field work (~30%). Experience in entomology and/or taxonomy is preferred but not required. It is good to have a personal vehicle to use on occasion, and you will be reimbursed for mileage but a University vehicle will be available most of the time for field visits. Availability to work full time (35 hours/wk.) through August required with the potential to continue part-time into the fall semester. �
This project requires primarily lab and field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: https://web.uri.edu/biocontrol/
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Alexandra Johnson, ajohnson13@uri.edu
26- URI Plant Diagnostic Laboratory: Developing Advanced Tools for Plant Pathogens Diagnostics
The fellowship at the URI Diagnostic Laboratory will focus on isolating and identifying plant pathogens, mainly bacterial pathogens affecting plants in Rhode Island. The project will involve a combination of microbiological techniques, such as culturing, alongside advanced molecular methods, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification of specific genes, and sequencing. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the plant disease landscape in Rhode Island, aiding in developing effective disease management strategies. Besides the main project, the student will learn about Plant Diagnostics, the day-to-day operation of the Diagnostic lab, and outreach activities that the Lab will participate. ��Specific skills preferred: Plant Pathology or Entomology or some microbiology classes, Some lab microbiology or lab experience preferred. ��Student will be expected to mainly work alone/independently and sometimes with the PI or groups. ��Typical work schedule is four days per week, from 8:30am to 3:30 pm, but some flexibility too. ��Student will be working mostly indoors, at the URI Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, at the Skogley Research Center at the Agricultural Farm, 1 mile from main campus. Sometimes some field visits, sample collection, and outreach activities. Sometimes student may need to use vehicle to drive to job site.��Please be willing to learn about the fascinating world of Plant Pathogens!�
This project requires Primarily lab, field, and literature work.
<1 year of research experience required.
Website: https://web.uri.edu/coopext/services/pdl
Hours: 20+ hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Keiddy Urrea-Morawicki, kurrea-morawick@uri.edu (URI Plant Diagnostic Laboratory)
27- Heat-tolerant Broccoli Study
This position is located at the Gardiner Crops Research Center on the Kingston Campus. Experience with farming or gardening is preferred. The student will work together with the graduate student and the summer farm crew to grow broccoli from seed to harvest and evaluate the varieties for their ability to produce a marketable crop during the heat of summer. The typical work schedule is 25 hours per week, M-F 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. This position runs through the end of August. It is an outdoor position involving manual labor. Also, camaraderie and free vegetables!
This project primarily requires field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 25 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Brown, brownreb@uri.edu
28- Tastes of Home: Evaluating African Vegetables for RI
This project is a collaboration with the immigrant farmers at Urban Edge Farm in Cranston, RI to evaluate varieties and production methods for okra and for African eggplants. The goal is to identify ways that the farmers can increase their marketable yields of these crops without increasing the amount of land they use. This is an outdoor project involving vegetable production; experience with farming or gardening is preferred. Most of the work will be done at the Gardiner Crops Research Center in Kingston; a university vehicle is available for travel to Urban Edge Farm. The usual schedule is M-F 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. This project will continue through August and into September and the student is expected to be available for most of that time (working around classes in September). The student will be working closely with the graduate student mentor and with the larger summer farm crew. Hard work but also camaraderie and free vegetables!
This project primarily requires field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Hours: 25 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Brown, brownreb@uri.edu
29- Native Bee Survey
The URI Bee lab https://web.uri.edu/beelab/ is working on several aspects of bee conservation and pollination ecology. Casey Johnson, Research Associate and former Fellow and Emma Tondre, Research Assistant, are heading up a survey of bees at several established Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) pollinator meadows throughout Rhode Island. This research entails travel to study sites (with other members of the bee lab), surveying bees and plants in bloom and analyzing data. Fellows will be trained to identify bees on the wing as well as plant identification and data analysis. Some prior experience with plant ID would be beneficial. �Another project that a Fellow might be involved with is research on increasing nesting habitat for bumble bees. The Fellow will assist in setting out, monitoring and collecting data on bumble bee nesting boxes placed at five locations in Rhode Island.�
We also maintain 20 honey bee colonies at East Farm which are used to research water collection by honey bees and evaluate novel Varroa mite (pest of honey bees) controls. Fellows may be asked to assist in all of these projects and any new projects as well. This position is mainly a field position with some lab components. It may require working in adverse field conditions (heat, biting insects, tick habitat, poison ivy). Work with other members of the bee lab, thirty-five hours / week for at least 14 weeks, 8-4 PM daily, must have a car.�
This project primarily requires field work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: http://web.uri.edu/beelab/
Hours: 35 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Dr. Steven Alm, stevealm@uri.edu
South Kingstown Land Trust�(SKLT)
30- Invasive Species Management on RI Farms (SKLT) – (1 of 2)
The South Kingstown Land Trust (SKLT) is an independent non-profit organization that preserves and protects open spaces and cultural landscapes in and around South Kingstown for the enduring benefit of the community, sklt.org.�The CELS fellow will hone their skills and knowledge needed to identify, map, and manage invasive species, and develop actionable strategies to support ecosystem health on three South Kingstown Land Trust agricultural properties.�The student will work closely with Land Trust field staff, and cadre of volunteers and related experts. The student will work both alone and in the company of others. SKLT anticipates student engagement two- and one-half days a week. ��Skills Needed: �• Knowledge of Invasive Species �• Identification tools (field guides, apps like iNaturalist).�• Basic plant identification skills.�• GPS/GIS mapping software (e.g., ArcGIS or Google Earth).�• Work outside during RI summer weather, dress appropriately for fieldwork, ability to walk on uneven surfaces, ability to lift and carry twenty pounds. Provide personal transportation to varying sites in South Kingstown��Field Surveys and Data Collection:�• Conduct field surveys to identify and document invasive species.�• Use GPS units or GIS software to record locations and create preliminary maps.�• Learn transect and quadrat sampling methods for density estimation.�• Practice data recording and cataloging techniques.�• Draft a map of surveyed areas with invasive species hot spots.��Research and Analysis:�• Investigate the biology, growth patterns, and control methods for targeted invasive species.�• Analyze the environmental and economic impacts of specific invasives on the region.�• Collect samples for identification and comparison.�• Document environmental conditions (e.g., soil type, water proximity) influencing invasive spread.�• Create a report on the ecological impact of the top 2-3 invasive species in the area.��Strategy Development:�• Collaborate with staff to design management strategies tailored to the properties.�• Learn and practice control methods (e.g., manual removal, herbicide application, or biological control options).�• Assess the feasibility and potential challenges of various strategies.�• Work on an educational piece (e.g., brochure, post) to inform the public about invasive species.
*PLEASE CONTINUE ONTO THE NEXT SLIDE FOR REMAINDER OF PROJECT DESCRIPTION*
30- Invasive Species Management on RI Farms (SKLT), Cont’d - (2 of 2)
�Implementation and Community Engagement�• Participate in SKLT’s invasive species removal projects, applying learned methods.�• Assist in restoring native vegetation where invasives have been removed.�• Organize or assist with a volunteer day for invasive species management.�• Present findings and educate participants about invasive species.��Reporting and Final Presentation�• Final Deliverables�• Compile a comprehensive report, including maps, research findings, and management recommendations.�• Develop a PowerPoint or poster presentation summarizing internship outcomes.�• Present findings and recommendations to SKLT’s staff and volunteers.�• Share insights on future research or management needs.��Skills Gained�• Invasive species identification and mapping.�• Data collection and analysis techniques.�• Hands-on experience in ecological restoration methods.�• Public speaking and educational outreach.��Internship Outcome - By the end of the internship, participants will have developed actionable plans for managing invasive species on these land trust properties, contributed to ecosystem restoration, and gained skills applicable to careers in conservation and land management.�
This project primarily requires field and computational work.
Open to any student interested in research topic and willing to learn!
Website: sklt.org, sklandtrust
Hours: 20 hours/wk.
Project Mentor: Julia Landstreet, julia.landstreet@sklt.org
Rhode Island Sea Grant (RISG)
Community Engaged Internship
Project List (Projects #31-35)
31- Assess flood vulnerability and flood mitigation strategies (Ocean Engineering)
Students will work with other researchers at the University of Rhode Island (URI), University of Delaware (UD), and College of Charleston (CC) in a large multidisciplinary NSF-funded EPSCoR project titled “Risks, Impacts, and Strategies for Coastal Communities (RISCC): Convergent Research to Support Adaptation Decision-making and Resilience Planning in Communities Disproportionately Affected by Climate Change”. The project involved developing flood damage and loss models for buildings and transportation systems (e.g., roads and bridges) for selected coastal communities based on high-resolution data under multiple climate change scenarios. The student will gain valuable knowledge about existing flood damage and vulnerability models, risk assessment, geospatial mapping, and data processing.
Hours: 30 hrs/wk.
Location: URI Kingston/Bay Campus
Project Mentor: Dr. Mehrshad Amini, mehrshad.amini@uri.edu
32- Assess flood vulnerability and flood mitigation strategies (Environmental Economics)
We are seeking motivated undergraduate students to assist with coastal climate adaptation research. The research focuses on conducting surveys and applying hedonic pricing models to analyze the economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities. This is part of a larger multidisciplinary NSF-funded EPSCoR project titled “Risks, Impacts, and Strategies for Coastal Communities (RISCC): Convergent Research to Support Adaptation Decision-making and Resilience Planning in Communities Disproportionately Affected by Climate Change.” Students will collaborate with researchers from the University of Delaware (UD) and College of Charleston (CC). Student interns will:
Hours: 30 hrs/wk.
Location: URI Kingston/Bay Campus/Remote
Project Mentor: Dr. Pengfei Liu, pengfei_liu@uri.edu
33- Informing Coastal Community Responses to changing groundwater hazards
Groundwater is a hidden, but pivotal component of the water cycle, which provides necessary freshwater resources for nature and humans. However, changing sea levels and climate may cause groundwater levels to rise and aquifers to become salty and unusable. These have resulting impacts for infrastructure like buried utilities and foundations, and the potential to exacerbate overland flooding. For this project, we seek to understand the hazards facing coastal
communities, and work to provide information that helps communities adapt to these changing hazards.
Students interested in participating in such studies should develop a range of essential skills, including a familiarity with hydrology and groundwater flow dynamics. Students will gain a proficiency in data collection techniques including water sampling and well monitoring to ensure accurate and reliable results. Students should be familiar in data analysis and modeling, enabling them to interpret complex datasets and draw meaningful conclusions. Strong communication skills are essential for effectively sharing findings with stakeholders and the local community. Lastly, teamwork and collaboration play a significant role in yielding a comprehensive understanding of groundwater impacts and dam removal.
Hours: 30 hrs/wk.
Location: URI Kingston Campus with field and computational work
Mentor: Dr. Chris Russoniello; Geology https://web.uri.edu/geo/meet/christopher-russoniello/
34- CFCRI: Commercial Fisheries Training Program Assistance
The Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program (CFAP) conducted by the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, is a one-month long workforce development program to train jobseekers for careers aboard Rhode Island fishing vessels. Topics that are covered during this training program include safety at sea, CPR and first aid, seamanship and navigation, net mending, knot tying, species identification, welding and cutting, diesel engine mechanics, and gear types and design. Apprentices also gain introductory knowledge about fisheries science, fisheries management and regulations, licensing pathways, and fishing as a business. This is a very comprehensive training consisting of classroom-based learning, hands-on learning, and at-sea training.
The intern would support this program by helping CFCRI to improve and organize program training materials and support resources, support program evaluation and reporting efforts including developing and administering participant surveys, and assist with outreach and communication through social media, newsletters, etc.
Hours: 30 hrs/wk.
Location: Commercial Fisheries Center of RI; URI’s East Farm
On-site Mentor: Shaye Rooney CFCRI co-Executive Director
35- MEO: Agua Day Camp Program Starling Internship Opportunity
Movement Education Outdoors (MEO) empowers minority and low-income youth in Rhode Island through
outdoor education. Our mission is to create a space where young people of color feel seen, valued, and equipped to lead in their communities.
About the Program: Agua Day Camp is a two-week educational summer camp experience for BIPOC middle school students (ages 10–13). Through experiential creative exploration, the program aims to cultivate relationships of comfort, curiosity, and connection between young people of color and local
waterways.
This role will support the preparation and operation of the Agua Day Camp (ADC) program. The role will be responsible for the following:
Hours/Location: 30-35 hrs/wk; Saunderstown RI MEO Lodge and Providence Offices
Mentors: Rinne-Julie Früster, ADC Program Lead
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
Summer 2025 Internship with the Division of Marine Fisheries
RIDEM: Summer 2025 Internship Opportunity with the Division of Marine Fisheries
Are you interested in marine biology? Natural resource management? Do you have an interest in learning more about how fisheries are monitored and managed? Consider working with us!
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Marine Fisheries is looking to hire interns for the summer 2025 field season.
Interns will join a dynamic workplace where they’ll participate in many of our research activities, including: boat-based fish surveys, habitat surveys, data entry, gear repair, and biological sample processing.
You should have an interest in marine science, willingness to work on the water and in the field (including in inclement weather), a desire to work as part of a team, and reliable transportation to our office in Jamestown.
To apply: You must complete the RIDEM application by scanning this QR code in order to be considered. Please note that this internship is its own entity and separate from the CELS Summer Research Fellowship Program. If you are selected for this position, you can work with RIDEM exclusively, OR, you can also still be a part of the fellowship program as well, (it would be up to you!). If you were to be selected for the internship, and also want to be a fellow, would you need to email Sarah Puckett, sarah_puckett@uri.edu, to let her know. In the meantime, please do NOT
include this project in the fellowship questionnaire. Thank you!
Contact for Questions: Corinne Truesdale, corinne.truesdale@dem.ri.gov