Alumni

A debate among scientists about the dynamics of the Cascades subduction system in the western United States has taken a major step toward being resolved, thanks to new evidence provided by a team of international researchers led by University of Rhode Island Professor Christopher Kincaid.

The journal Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography has celebrated the career of Emeritus Professor of Oceanography Tom Rossby, devoting its January issue, titled "Modern Physical Oceanography and Professor H.T. Rossby" to his life and work.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) announced that Dr. David L. Evans, former Director of the Center for Sustainability: Earth, Energy, and Climate at Noblis, Inc., will serve as the association’s new Executive Director.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Evans as a part of the NSTA team,” said NSTA President Dr. Karen L. Ostlund. “He is a prominent scientist and a distinguished and visionary leader who will guide the association’s future course and continue to establish NSTA as a leader in STEM education.”

Dr. Mary Voytek, Director of NASA's Astrobiology program, was presented this year's GSO Dean's Distinguished Achievement Award. The awards, conferred by the President of the University and each college within the University, honor alumni who have brought distinction to themselves and the University through their professional achievements, outstanding leadership or community service.

Dr. Mary-Jane James-Pirri, a marine research associate at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, has been named the winner of the 2012 Award for Natural Resource Research by the northeast region of the National Park Service.

GSO alumna and former Dean of GSO Dr. Margaret Leinen has been elected to President of the Board of Directors of the American Geophysical Union.  Her two-year term will begin on 1 January 2013.

Dr. Leinen, who received her PhD in Oceanography from GSO in 1980 and served as Dean of GSO from 1991-2000, is currently the Associate Provost and Executive Director, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce. Her research interests are paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, biogeochemical cycles, and climate change.
 

In Rhode Island and around the country, coastal communities are working on plans to manage and sustain the ocean’s resources to generate new industries, support job creation, and provide food and services to an ever-increasing population.

A new short film, America’s Ocean Economy: Challenges and Opportunities, is the first in a series that explores this effort with ocean management practitioners from around the world. The film provides an overview of economic issues related to ocean planning.

Dr. Bruce Corliss has accepted the position of Dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. He comes to GSO from Duke University, where he was Director of the Duke/University of North Carolina Oceanographic Consortium and also served as Chair of the Department of Geology, the Interim Chair of the Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, and the senior Assistant Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Dr.

URI GSO Professor Robert Ballard has been in the news frequently in association with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. On April 19, at 7 p.m., he will be giving a free lecture at the Ryan Center on the Kingston Campus of URI. Details are at this link.

The URI GSO hockey team, the Bay Blades, retained possession of the coveted Niskin Cup trophy by winning both games of the 31st annual Niskin Cup Tournament.