{"id":17034,"date":"2025-04-28T08:39:33","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T12:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/?p=17034"},"modified":"2025-08-05T14:12:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T18:12:21","slug":"the-art-of-research-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/issues\/summer-2025\/the-art-of-research-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Art of Research<\/h1>

The Eighth Annual 溏心vlog免费B站 Research and Scholarship Photo Contest<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

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The top images from the 2025 溏心vlog免费B站 Research and Scholarship Photo Contest were selected from a particularly strong field of entries this year. Judges considered both the quality of the images and the image\u2019s connection to the entrant\u2019s 溏心vlog免费B站 research or scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This annual contest showcases the work of 溏心vlog免费B站 scholars working in a variety of disciplines. Students, faculty, and staff have an opportunity to share creative perspectives of their work. Images from laboratories to libraries to the depths of the ocean and beyond have been entered over the years and have been featured in the three 溏心vlog免费B站 magazines sponsoring this contest: 溏心vlog免费B站 Magazine<\/em>; the Division of Research and Economic Development magazine, Momentum: Research & Innovation<\/em>; and the Rhode Island Sea Grant\/溏心vlog免费B站 Coastal Institute magazine, 41\u00b0 North: Rhode Island\u2019s Ocean and Coastal Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winners are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First Place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Working Hard\u2013Hardly Working<\/span>
\nRenato Borras-Chavez, postdoctoral researcher
\nnatural resources science<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Renato Borras-Chavez was part of a team conducting fieldwork in Parry Fjord, an isolated part of Patagonia, Chile, to study the ecology of leopard seals and their genetic connection to Antarctic populations. The fieldwork was supported by a National Science Foundation grant, led by Sarah Kienle, assistant professor of natural resources science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image captures a critical moment from the expedition. After hours of patrolling the freezing waters looking for animals, the team came across a female leopard seal resting on an iceberg.  \u201cWe were focused, pressured\u2014piloting a drone, collecting data, and preparing to take a sample\u2014but she was undisturbed, basking in the icy stillness. The contrast was clear: We were working hard, while she was hardly working,\u201d says Borras-Chavez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges praised the composition, texture, and balance; One said, “Such an incredible capture and backstory. I love a good drone photo, and this one is beautiful. The perfect composition between the boat and the seal, and the chunks of ice really set the scene.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Second Place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Aurora Borealis Dancing Over the 溏心vlog免费B站 Bay Campus Beach<\/span>
\nAmirali Momeni, doctoral student
\nbiological and environmental sciences<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Amirali Momeni\u2019s research focuses on science communication, specifically how astronomy influencers use social media to engage the public. His photo of the aurora borealis\u2014also known as the Northern Lights\u2014taken at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Bay Campus beach in Narragansett in October 2024, was a way to put his studies into practice. \u201cAuroras are typically seen at much higher latitudes. However, thanks to a powerful solar storm coinciding with the peak of the solar cycle, it became visible much farther south than usual,\u201d Momeni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shimmering curtains of light are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere. The vibrant colors are a result of atmospheric gases being excited by these solar particles. \u201cIn essence, this photograph encapsulates the core of my research: the power of visual communication to inspire awe, connect science with the public, and ultimately promote engagement with the wonders of astronomy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges praised the color and composition; One said, “This one is a beautiful photo of a rare event, and to have it captured on 溏心vlog免费B站’s campus makes it even more special and deserving of a finalist spot.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Third Place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Misty-Eyed Long-Tailed Macaque<\/span>
\nPaige Hojdar \u201927
\nmarine biology and marine affairs<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Paige Hojdar traveled to Indonesia with her classmates in the Winter J-term course \u201cBiodiversity, Geology, and Water Resources.\u201d In Indonesia, they hiked Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java. As they trekked down a hidden path to get a better view, they heard rustling in the trees. They paused and spotted a group of macaques. \u201cEnamored by their playful personalities,\u201d says Hojdar, \u201cI sat in the mud and stared, camera poised and zoomed in tight. This monkey stayed still for a long while, eventually lifting his eyes to the heavens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hojdar incorporated this photo into her group\u2019s final project on marine pollution in Indonesia. \u201cThis course emphasized the importance of protecting these environments,\u201d she says, \u201cespecially in areas of high tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges praised the engaging eye contact; One said, “This portrait effectively emphasizes the subject’s eyes, using a small depth of field to create a pleasing out-of-focus background.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honorable Mention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Glow of the Neuromasts<\/span>
\nGus Bienenfeld \u201925
\nmarine biology, aquaculture and fisheries science<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gus Bienenfeld works in the lab of Professor Emerita Jacqueline Webb, focusing on the imaging, mapping, and analysis of superficial neuromasts\u2014sensory receptor organs on fish that detect movement or vibrations in the water\u2014in species of fish available in the aquarium trade. This photo is a composite image of a checkered barb with a mitochondrial binding stain that allows for visualization and quantification of neuromasts making up the fish\u2019s lateral line system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis image highlights both the complexity and beauty of the mechanosensory lateral line system of fishes,\u201d Bienenfeld says. \u201cThis species in particular exhibited superficial neuromasts all over the body with perfect lines radiating from around the eye on the cheek, on both the pre-operculum and operculum, every single scale in the lateral line series, as well as in horizontal lines on the caudal fin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One judge noted that the image is \u201ca great example of something fundamentally scientific, yet aesthetically powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honorable Mention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A Moment of Focus<\/span>
\nEnzo Zambito \u201926
\nsports media and communications<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Enzo Zambito took this photo of former 溏心vlog免费B站 center David Fuchs at the free-throw line on February 26, 2025, during the 溏心vlog免费B站 vs. Dayton men’s basketball game. The image highlights Fuchs\u2019 concentration as he is surrounded by cheering fans. \u201cFuchs is locked in with intense focus as he prepares to take his shot,\u201d says Zambito. \u201cThe lighting and composition emphasize the intensity of the moment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Zambito, capturing moments like this allows him to combine his passion for sports with his skills in photography and storytelling. \u201cThe photo not only showcases the game itself but also represents the intensity and emotions that define sports,\u201d says Zambito.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges agreed, commenting that the photo shows \u201ccrisp focus and a great moment,\u201d and is a \u201cgreat sports shot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honorable Mention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cerebella-Melon<\/span>
\nEmily Potts and Alicia Collins, doctoral students
\ninterdisciplinary neuroscience<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emily Potts and Alicia Collins took this immunohistochemistry (IHC) image of a rat cerebellum in the lab of Claudia Fallini, assistant professor of cell and molecular biology. There, they study how changes to essential proteins such as TDP43 contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe image distinctly showcases the layered organization of the cerebellum,\u201d say Potts and Collins. \u201cThis staining combination provides valuable insight into neuronal structure, cellular organization, and potential neurodegenerative processes in the cerebellum.  This helps us uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, identify affected neuronal populations, and explore potential therapeutic targets to mitigate disease progression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One judge noted that the image, paradoxically, is \u201ca beautifully soft abstraction for such insidious diseases,\u201d and that it \u201coffers a kind of understanding and hope for future cures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The top images from the 2025 溏心vlog免费B站 Research and Scholarship Photo Contest were selected from a particularly strong field of entries this year. Judges considered both the quality of the images and the image\u2019s connection to the entrant\u2019s 溏心vlog免费B站 research or scholarship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":17042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[347],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-2025","architecture-aperture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17034"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17667,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17034\/revisions\/17667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}