For Matthew Dunn, URI’s Graduate
School of Oceanography is the place to be
 |
| Matthew Dunn, who grew up in South Kingstown, returned to Rhode Island to pursue his Ph.D. at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography. (URI photo/Ayla Fox) |
At least, that is the
case for South Kingstown native Matthew Dunn, a doctoral student at the
University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.
Dunn grew up barely a mile from URI’s Kingston campus, and after graduating from South Kingstown High School, sought to broaden his perspective beyond his backyard, earning a bachelor’s degree in marine science at the University of Delaware.
Dunn grew up barely a mile from URI’s Kingston campus, and after graduating from South Kingstown High School, sought to broaden his perspective beyond his backyard, earning a bachelor’s degree in marine science at the University of Delaware.
For Dunn, 22,
returning home is about pursuing a childhood dream to become a marine scientist
and to do so in the place where he discovered his love for the ocean. The
University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography is where he made
that discovery.
“The first beach I ever went to was at Narragansett Bay Campus, because it was safe for little kids. We were a beach family,” Dunn said of his parents and two younger siblings. “And I’ve always had a fascination with sea life, the coastline, waves.”
By the time he was in
middle school, Dunn knew he wanted to attend graduate school to become an
oceanographer. “GSO is such a renowned school,” he said. “Why go to Hawaii or
Florida to study, when URI is one of the best schools for oceanography.”
He believes Rhode
Island is lucky to have an esteemed institution that attracts the best students
from within and beyond state borders, and offers students advanced degrees that
lead to rewarding careers.
A chemical oceanographer, Dunn is studying emerging contaminants — pollutants from industry and manufacturing whose potential dangers were unknown when they were in wide use decades ago.
His work is part of the multi-state, federally funded project STEEP, which stands for Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of Polyfluoroalkyl substances. Known as PFASs and widely recognized as toxins, these compounds are released from consumer products, such as carpet and automotive parts.
They are found in drinking water, can become airborne and eventually can enter the food web. One of the project directors is Rainer Lohmann, URI professor of oceanography and Dunn’s advisor.
When Dunn was
exploring graduate school opportunities, he reached out to Lohmann, who invited
him to GSO to see his lab and the research he was conducting. “He thought I’d
be a good fit. I applied to GSO specifically to work in his lab,” Dunn said. “I
am already actively doing research. I love the way my lab welcomed me right
in.”
As an undergraduate,
Dunn had focused on water quality issues, such as nitrogen loading and
acidification, so the STEEP work offers a fresh direction. “I saw this as a
challenge, a new experience and a way to push myself. I am really enjoying it,”
he said.
Dunn is conducting
validation experiments on chemical detection tools called passive samplers to
prove that they will work in the field as intended. The samplers act as
sponges, absorbing chemicals in water and indicating what is present and in
what concentration.
Usually, such tools can only measure one of those factors, Dunn noted, but, once refined, the passive samplers will measure both.
Usually, such tools can only measure one of those factors, Dunn noted, but, once refined, the passive samplers will measure both.
At URI, Dunn appreciates
the opportunities to work with students, faculty and experts from other
disciplines across the University and beyond. “The interdisciplinary work can
only increase my skills and the opportunities for publishing, which in the long
run makes you a better scientist, more well-rounded,” he said.
He also believes in
sharing his Rhody pride about GSO and, if given the chance, would tell Rhode
Islanders: “We live in the Ocean State. The ocean has done something for you,
whether you own a seafood restaurant, know a fisherman, are in a business that
relies on the marine industry. GSO is actively protecting the oceans and
coastal populations. This should be high on everyone’s list.”
URI’s Narragansett Bay
Campus is home to the URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), one of the
world’s premier oceanographic institutions. Founded in 1961, GSO has built a
reputation for excellence in deep water oceanographic research, coastal
planning and management, sustainable fisheries and monitoring the health of
Narragansett Bay. With operations, researchers, faculty and students worldwide,
the Bay Campus education and outreach programs train the next generation of
scientists and policymakers, while ensuring Rhode Island’s K-12 teachers and
students gain an appreciation for the importance of ocean science through a
variety of hands-on programs.
On Nov. 6, Rhode
Islanders will vote on Question 2, a $70 million higher education general
obligation bond that includes $45 million for upgrades to the Narragansett Bay
Campus. If approved, proceeds from the bond will be used to improve the GSO’s
pier (required to accommodate a newly awarded Regional Class Research Vessel
from the National Science Foundation valued at more than $100 million),
construct a 20,000-square-foot Ocean Technology building, a Marine Operations
building and fund other necessary improvements to campus facilities.