New documentary on Rhode Island PBS, “The Science of Survival”, features members of the Beach SAMP Team discussing the realities and challenges of climate change. Read more below.

University of Rhode Island Press Release : URI joins with RI PBS to share science with the public

Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862

“The Science of Survival” to premiere March 23

KINGSTON, R.I. — March 18, 2014 — “The Science of Survival,” a new documentary on innovative work being done in immunology and ecology will premiere March 23, as part of a recently formed collaboration between the University of Rhode Island and WSBE Rhode Island PBS. This new series is bringing quarterly, half-hour prime-time features focused on the cutting edge research and scientific advances being made at the University of Rhode Island.

The latest in the series, “The Science of Survival,” consists of two 15-minute segments, one showcases vaccine development research that’s underway and the other delves into the role sea level rise may have played in the damage caused by Super Storm Sandy. The program will be broadcast eight times on Rhode Island PBS (36.1/Cox 8) and several times on sister station Learn (36.2/Cox 808).

In the vaccine development segment, scientists from the URI Institute for Immunology and Informatics Dr. Alan Rothman and Carey Medin share their research to develop a vaccine for the deadly dengue fever. Dr. Annie DeGroot describes the critical role of immunoinformatics tools being used to accelerate the development of treatments and cures for a number of diseases. The work at this laboratory leads to the production and deployment of vaccines that will have a significant impact on global and individual health.

In the second segment of Survival, make no mistake, climate change is happening and not just in Antarctica. Coastal Policy Specialists Pamela Rubinoff and Michelle Carnevale of the University’s Coastal Resources Center and Grover Fugate of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council discuss the ecological and economic impact of global warming in Rhode Island. They describe the initiatives underway to address and reduce the resulting risks to public health, safety and welfare.

“The Science of Survival” will air on Rhode Island PBS (36.1/Cox 8): March 23 at 6 p.m., March 25 at 4 a.m., March 29 at 11 p.m., April 10 at 8:30 p.m., April 12 at 1 a.m., April 13 at 6 p.m., April 15 at 4 a.m., April 19 at 11 p.m.

The series is co-produced by URI’s New Media unit in the URI Department of Marketing and Communications, and Rosewood Productions.

Viewers will also see short “URI Today” segments between regularly scheduled programs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.

The first documentary, Baby Talk: Unlocking the Secrets of the Baby Brain, began airing in the fall and continues to air through April. This documentary delves into the research of two URI nursing professors, exploring brain and child development in novel ways.

Broadcast Schedules

“The Science of Survival”

Rhode Island PBS (36.1/Cox 8)
March 23, 6 p.m.
March 25, 4 a.m.
March 29, 11 p.m.
April 10, 8:30 pm
April 12, 1 a.m.
April 13, 6 p.m.
April 15, 4 a.m.
April 19, 11 p.m.

Learn (36.2/Cox 808)
April 15, 8 p.m.
April 16, 3 a.m.
April 17, 12 a.m.

“Baby Talk: Unlocking the Secrets of the Baby Brain”

Rhode Island PBS (36.1/Cox 8)
April 13, 6:30 p.m.
April 15, 4:30 a.m.
April 19, 11:30 p.m.

Learn (36.2/Cox 808)
April 15, 8:30 p.m.
April 16, 3:30 a.m.
April 17, 12:30 a.m.

Read the press release here: News – University of Rhode Island.