KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� Dec. 10, 2025 鈥� The 溏心vlog免费B站 is pleased to announce its 2025 Emerging Coastal Leader awardees. The program recognizes graduate students whose research advances understanding of coastal and marine systems and supports evidence-based decision-making in Rhode Island, the region, and beyond.
This year鈥檚 10 recipients of the Emerging Coastal Leaders Awards reflects an expanded cohort prompted by an exceptionally strong applicant pool. Awardees span the natural sciences, social sciences, policy, economics, and communication 鈥� demonstrating the interdisciplinary strength that underpins 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 national leadership in coastal and ocean scholarship.
鈥淭his cohort highlights the depth of talent and purpose within 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 coastal and environmental sciences,鈥� says Elin Torell, director of the Coastal Institute. 鈥淢entoring emerging researchers is an essential part of the Institute鈥檚 work, and we look forward to supporting these students as they grow into the collaborative leaders our coastal communities will rely on in the years ahead.鈥�
The provides a research stipend and opportunities for awardees to engage with the Coastal Institute community and share their work across the University.
Congratulations to this year鈥檚 awardees:
Ben Charo 鈥� Ph.D., Ecology and Ecosystem Science, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Ben Charo studies coral reef social-ecological systems in the Coral Triangle, one of the world鈥檚 most biodiverse regions. Charo examines how climate-driven shifts in reef ecosystems affect livelihoods, food security, and community resilience. His work integrates ecological modeling, climate projections, and social science to support conservation strategies that address both environmental change and human well-being.
Teagan Cunningham 鈥� M.S., Oceanography, Graduate School of Oceanography
Teagan Cunningham uses the Regional Ocean Modeling System to simulate nutrient transport from open-net pen aquaculture in Maine. Her research evaluates how nutrient inputs influence coastal water quality and ecological dynamics. Cunningham collaborates with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Conservation Law Foundation to strengthen nutrient monitoring and inform aquaculture permitting. Her work bridges physical oceanography, field sampling, and applied coastal management.
Mackensie duPont Crowley 鈥� M.A., Communication Studies, Harrington School of Communication and Media
Mackensie duPont Crowley examines how Rhode Island newspapers frame sea level rise, emphasizing narrative structure, journalistic constraints, and the translation of complex climate science for public audiences. Her work contributes to understanding how local media shape awareness of climate risk and community preparedness. DuPont Crowley brings experience from Save The Bay and the Surfrider Foundation and manages digital communications at the Graduate School of Oceanography.
Megan Delatte-Guidry 鈥� Ph.D., Evolution and Marine Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Megan Delatte-Guidry studies how environmental change affects oyster development, performance, and resilience. She blends experimental larval work, next-generation sequencing, and computational bioinformatics to identify traits and stress responses relevant to both aquaculture and wild populations. Her research supports strategies to sustain shellfish resources under changing coastal conditions.
Geubrina Fajria 鈥� Ph.D., Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Geubrina Fajria applies geospatial analysis, machine learning, and watershed-scale modeling to quantify nutrient loading to Narragansett Bay. Her research identifies nutrient source hotspots and informs reduction strategies, restoration planning, and policy development. Fajria has trained students, coordinated field monitoring, and collaborated with community partners to improve water-quality assessment across Rhode Island.
Frankie Lopez 鈥� Ph.D., Oceanography, Graduate School of Oceanography
Frankie Lopez researches predator鈥損rey interactions among plankton on the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf as part of the NES LTER (Northeast U.S. Shelf Long-Term Ecological Research) program. Lopez combines shipboard sampling, laboratory experiments, and ecological modeling to understand how environmental variability shapes plankton dynamics, carbon flow, and biogeochemical cycles. Her work provides insight into how foundational ocean processes may shift under changing climate conditions.
Malachy McCaffrey 鈥� M.S., Oceanography, Graduate School of Oceanography
Malachy McCaffrey, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, investigates changes in vessel activity around offshore wind farms in Southern New England. His research integrates GIS, remote sensing, and qualitative interviews to understand how commercial, recreational, and industrial users interact within evolving marine spaces. McCaffrey brings extensive field experience 鈥� from the Bering Sea to the Florida Reef Tract 鈥� and works at the intersection of ocean science, community engagement, and environmental justice.
Aida Pauls 鈥� Ph.D., Fisheries Economics, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Aida Pauls studies consumer willingness to pay for sustainable, locally produced, and innovative seafood products in New England. Through surveys, experiments, and stakeholder engagement, Pauls identifies the market drivers influencing coastal food systems. Her research supports fisheries policy, improves producer-consumer connections, and advances regional seafood resilience. She also leads mentorship initiatives within her department.
Justin Sankey 鈥� Ph.D., Oceanography, Graduate School of Oceanography
Justin Sankey investigates PFAS contamination in estuaries and coastal ecosystems, focusing on sorption behavior, environmental transport, and the development of adsorbent materials for remediation. Sankey coordinates multi-partner sampling efforts and collaborates with aquaculture practitioners and Tribal partners, including the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, to assess PFAS exposure pathways. His work spans field research, laboratory experimentation, and applied environmental chemistry.
Oliver Tiliouine 鈥� Ph.D. Marine Affairs, College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Oliver Tiliouine examines how climate change is reshaping the law of the sea, maritime boundaries, and global ocean governance. His research integrates GIS, climate projections, and international policy analysis to assess governance disparities affecting vulnerable island and coastal nations. Tiliouine鈥檚 work contributes to emerging discussions about climate-driven legal and geopolitical transformation in the world鈥檚 oceans.
This year鈥檚 awardees were celebrated at the Coastal Institute Mid-Year Meeting on Dec. 2. The event included highlights from several members of last year鈥檚 cohort, who provided updates on their research progress.
The 溏心vlog免费B站 Coastal Institute catalyzes research and partnerships that strengthen the resilience of coastal ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and engagement with regional and global partners, the Institute advances science-based solutions to coastal and watershed challenges. For more information, contact Amber Neville at 401-874-6513 or visit .
This press release was written by Amber Neville, with the 溏心vlog免费B站 Coastal Institute.