Infrastructure to Advance Life Sciences in the Ocean State

提案编号：EPS-1004057提案标题：促进海洋州生命科学发展的基础设施研究机构：罗德岛大学罗德岛研究基础设施改善(RII)计划专注于尖端研究，以了解海洋生物如何因气候变化影响而受到环境变化的影响。该项目的目标是提高罗德岛州在海洋生物科学方面的竞争力，促进该州研究人员和教育工作者之间的合作，并建立涉及全州9所高等教育机构的多样化、训练有素的劳动力团队。该项目具有区域意义和全国意义，利用了包括纳拉甘西特湾在内的罗德岛州独特的资源，并与国家科学和技术计划很好地结合在一起。许多智能Merita研究预测，随着海洋变暖和酸化，许多单细胞和多细胞生物将面临压力，而许多病原微生物和寄生虫将茁壮成长。海洋生物对气候变化的适应能力将关键取决于适应和适应。罗德岛RII计划旨在了解、预测和减轻环境压力对海洋生物和生态系统的影响。这些研究对全球生物圈(以及当地的纳拉甘西特湾)至关重要，因为海洋中的营养循环和持续的生物生产最终决定了海产品的供应。调查的重点是关键的个体生物(如鱼、浮游生物、海洋病原体)、食物网以及感染和疾病在海洋宿主种群中的传播。这些研究将探索这些物种如何受到海洋中化学和物理参数的变化的影响，如温度、酸度和营养物质的可用性。通过这些活动，罗德岛的研究人员将处于有利地位，为评估气候变化对海洋生物和生态系统的影响做出重大的智力贡献。广泛的影响生命科学研究和教育的基础设施的改善，以及包括两年制和四年制学院在内的公立和私立高等教育机构之间的合作，将有助于建设罗德岛的研究能力。罗德岛EPSCoR学院将协调努力，促进不同机构之间的合作，扩大参与以增加多样性，并让所有级别的学生参与研究和教育培训。为学生提供的奖学金和旨在增加未被充分代表的少数群体的参与的方案被包括在RII项目中。该项目的一个独特方面是罗德岛设计学院(RISD)参与了科学家和RISD艺术家和设计师之间的跨学科合作。这种互动预计将有助于开发改进的工具和战略，以便将复杂的科学信息可视化并向K-12学生和非传统受众进行交流。此外，与罗德岛大学梅特卡夫研究所的合作将通过加强科学家、学生和记者之间的互动来加强科学交流。

Proposal Number: EPS-1004057 Proposal Title: Infrastructure to Advance Life Sciences in the Ocean StateInstitution: University of Rhode IslandThe Rhode Island Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program focuses on cutting edge research to understand how marine biological organisms are affected by variations in their surroundings due to climate change effects. The goals of the project are to advance Rhode Island's competitiveness in marine life science, foster collaboration among researchers and educators in the state, and build diverse, well-trained workforce teams involving nine institutions of higher education across the state. This project is regionally relevant, nationally significant, takes advantage of unique Rhode Island resources including the Narragansett Bay, and aligns well with the state Science and Technology plan.Intellectual MeritA number of studies predict that with ocean warming and acidification, many single and multiple cell organisms will be under stress whereas many pathogenic microbes and parasites will thrive. The resilience of marine organisms to climate change will depend crucially on acclimation and adaptation. The Rhode Island RII program is aimed at understanding, predicting, and mitigating the impacts of environmental stresses on marine organisms and ecosystems. These studies are fundamentally important to the global biosphere (and locally to Narragansett Bay) as nutrient cycles and sustained biological production in the ocean, ultimately determine the availability of seafood. The investigations focus on key individual organisms (e.g., fish, plankton, marine pathogens), food webs, and the spread of infection and disease among marine host populations. The studies will explore how these species are affected by changes in chemical and physical parameters in the ocean such as temperature, acidity, and nutrient availability. Through these activities, the researchers at Rhode Island will be well positioned to make significant intellectual contribution to the assessment of climate change effects on marine organisms and ecosystems.Broader ImpactsThe infrastructure improvements for life sciences research and education and the partnership among public and private institutions of higher education including two- and four-year colleges will assist in building Rhode Island's research capacity. The Rhode Island EPSCoR Academy will coordinate efforts to foster collaboration among diverse institutions, broaden participation to increase diversity, and engage students at all levels in research and educational training. Fellowships for students and programs aimed at increasing the participation of under-represented minority groups are included in this RII project. A unique aspect of this project is the involvement of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists and RISD artists and designers. This interaction is expected to enable the development of improved tools and strategies for the visualization and communication of complex scientific information to K-12 students and non-traditional audiences. In addition, collaborations with the University of Rhode Island's Metcalf Institute will enhance science communication by strengthening interaction among scientists, students, and journalists.