KINGSTON, R.I. – Dec. 9, 2024 – The University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute is pleased to announce its 2024 Emerging Coastal Leader awardees. Awardees were selected based on academic achievement and demonstrated potential as future leaders.
The graduate students represent a wide range of disciplines, including marine affairs, biological oceanography, and ocean engineering. The Emerging Coastal Leaders Program acknowledges graduate students who are committed to pursuing impactful careers in coastal, marine, and estuarine science and management. The program provides each awardee with a small stipend to support research, access to professional mentorship through the Coastal Institute Senior Fellows network, and opportunities to present their work in the Coastal Institute community.
This is the second year for the new awards program, offered by the Coastal Institute for URI graduate students from interdisciplinary backgrounds aspiring to careers in coastal, marine, and estuarine science and management.
Congratulations to this year’s awardees:
Rickie (Erica) Ewton, Graduate School of Oceanography
Rickie (Erica) Ewton is a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Oceanography. Her research investigates the interactions between marine microbes, such as plankton and coral symbionts, and their environments. Passionate about science communication, Ewton actively participates in public outreach, teaching, and mentoring. Her work fosters collaboration and makes marine science accessible to diverse audiences, advancing understanding and stewardship of ocean ecosystems.
Shannon Howley, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Shannon Howley is a Ph.D. candidate in Marine Affairs. Her research focuses on the intersection of science communication, community engagement, and public policy, with a particular emphasis on offshore wind energy development. Howley’s dissertation examines strategies to address misinformation and improve stakeholder communication. She aims to integrate inclusive communication strategies into marine energy policy to create equitable solutions for coastal communities.
Bryan Plankenhorn, Graduate School of Oceanography / College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Bryan Plankenhorn is a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Oceanography and a master’s student in Marine Affairs through URI’s dual degree program at the Graduate School of Oceanography and the College of the Environment and Life Sciences. Their doctoral research focuses on the harmful algal bloom species Pseudo-nitzschia and its production of domoic acid, a neurotoxin. Plankenhorn also explores how Indigenous values can be incorporated into contemporary marine resource management, emphasizing the importance of advancing Indigenous sovereignty in sustainable marine governance.
Amara Pouv, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Amara Pouv is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences. Her research examines the ecotoxicology of microplastics and persistent organic pollutants in Eastern Oysters in Narragansett Bay, with a focus on contaminant spikes during storm events. Pouv’s work seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and actionable solutions, aiming to inform public policies that safeguard human and ecosystem health.
Ariel Alexander Quintanilla Magaña, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Ariel Alexander Quintanilla Magaña is a Ph.D. student in Biological and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on socio-ecological systems, particularly marine resource dependence and food security in small-scale fisheries in Latin America. Magaña employs community-based approaches alongside innovative governance strategies to promote sustainable fisheries management, with an emphasis on empowering marginalized communities in the Global South.
Xiaoyi Zhao, College of Engineering
Xiaoyi Zhao is a master’s student in Ocean Engineering at URI. Her research addresses coastal erosion and sediment dynamics on Block Island, using nature-based solutions and numerical modeling to explore the impacts of extreme weather events. Zhao integrates multidisciplinary approaches, including statistical modeling and machine learning, to tackle pressing coastal challenges. She envisions a future where scientific innovation and community collaboration drive the development of resilient coastal environments.
This year’s awardees will be celebrated at the Coastal Institute Mid-Year Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, 9 to 11 a.m., at the Narragansett Bay Campus’ Mosby Center. The event will include presentations from last year’s cohort of Emerging Coastal Leaders, who will provide updates on their research progress.
“These Emerging Coastal Leaders exemplify the innovative thinking, leadership potential, and interdisciplinary collaboration required to address the critical challenges facing our coastal communities,” said Elin Torell, director of the Coastal Institute. “We are proud to support them as they grow as leaders and look forward to their continued contributions to the field.”
The University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute is committed to advancing coastal sustainability through research, education, and collaboration. By fostering interdisciplinary approaches and building partnerships, the Institute seeks to address complex coastal challenges and promote resilient ecosystems and communities. For more information about the Emerging Coastal Leaders Program and other Coastal Institute initiatives, please contact Amber Neville at 401-874-6513, amneville@uri.edu, or visit https://ci.uri.edu/.