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Hands-on research in action: CELS to host Research and Extension Fellowship Symposium Dec. 10

Annual symposium to showcase work of URI Fellows in energy, agriculture and food systems, summer research and outreach, on topics from brain health to veggie trials

The College of the Environment and Life Sciences will host its annual Research and Extension Fellowship Symposium on Dec. 10. (URI Photo/Marian Goldsmith)

KINGSTON, R.I. – Dec. 4, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences will host its annual CELS Research and Extension Fellowship Symposium, Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in URI’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Avedisian Hall, on the Kingston campus.

Students presenting at the symposium will share research on topics ranging from specialist bees and carbon storage in salt marshes to zoo animals and restoration of the American chestnut. Many faculty members in the college advise students on their projects.

Luke Johnson worked with URI shark expert Bradley Wetherbee, studying hammerhead sharks and their diving patterns in the water off Long Island.

“These fellowships are a great opportunity for students at URI to learn outside of the classroom and develop skills and connections that will help them with their goals and aspirations after leaving URI and in years to come,” says Bradley Wetherbee, assistant professor of biological sciences.

URI’s annual fellowship celebration is one of the college’s largest events of the year and will feature URI students sharing expertise and research on a range of topics and reporting from various fellowship sites, including Ocean Hour Farm, Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management, Southside Community Land Trust, Rhode Island Energy, and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. The annual symposium showcases close to 100 URI fellows presenting their hands-on research and outreach projects to their peers, faculty, and staff.

This year’s symposium features work by Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows, CELS Summer Research Fellows, and Energy Fellows.

The schedule of events for the day is as follows:

URI’s Energy Fellows program is open to students from any college or program at URI.
  • Energy Fellows Oral Presentations: 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., CBLS #010
  • Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Oral Presentations: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Avedisian #170
  • CELS Summer Research Fellows Poster Symposium: 2 to 3:30 p.m., CBLS 1st Floor and #152
  • Fellows Recognition Ceremony: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., CBLS #100

Experiential education

Students like Agriculture and Food Systems Fellow Vannida Khuon look forward to sharing about their experiences with the URI community.

CELS fellowships help students build knowledge and confidence as they finalize their time at URI. Marine biology major Madison Boucher says she went into her fellowship at the Shellfish Genetics Laboratory at URI excited for the opportunity, but also a little nervous about her scientific abilities.

“While I learned an incredible amount of scientific information and research skills, what I gained most was confidence in myself as a scientist,” she says. “This fellowship, and my supportive mentors, helped me trust myself more in the lab and really see a place for myself in the scientific world.”

“We prioritize these experiences in CELS,” says Assistant Dean Aura Fajardo Grandidge. “Research and experiential learning are part of the most impactful and well-researched educational high impact practices for undergraduate students. These experiences inspire not only confidence and competence in our students, but also the development of their professional identity.”

The symposium is open to all members of the URI community, friends, family, employers, alumni, and the public. To learn more about this year’s symposium, visit the symposium webpage and register to attend here. For any questions or further information, please contact sarah_puckett@uri.edu, (401) 874-7829.