A new PBS documentary, ‘The Science of Survival’, investigates ongoing research and outreach work at the University of Rhode Island, looking at both mosquito-borne diseases and the impacts of climate change.

The University of Rhode Island has been conducting research at the Institute for Immunology
and Informatics on diseases and the development of tools for future diseases that may influence the future of vaccinations and disease control. Dr. Alan L. Rothman, the head of the Laboratory of Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis, has focused much of his laboratory study on the Dengue fever, a virus carried by the Aedes mosquitoes. The segment also focused on the work of Carey Medin, Assistant Research Professor, and Annie De Groot, Research Professor at the University of Rhode Island. As well as laboratory study, the University does field research.

“The science of survival encompasses both microscopic health threats and danger that confronts us on a global scale.”

The documentary also addressed large-scale threats, like coastal storms and hurricanes, specifically 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. Along Rhode Island’s shoreline, the storm surge and intense waves generated by Sandy left extensive erosion, while flooding impacted coastal communities. Many properties were left damaged and destroyed such as the ones on Atlantic Avenue in Westerly. However, the “Superstorm” wasn’t a worst-case scenario for the state.

“This was only a 5 foot storm surge, this was not the Hurricane of ’38, things are changing,”
said Pamela Rubinoff from the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island. Experts
acknowledge that climate change played a role in the 2012 storm and may continue to affect the
intensity of future storms, cautioned Grover Fugate of the RI Coastal Resources Management Council.

Michelle Carnevale, of the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Center, was also
interviewed in ‘The Science of Survival’, and pointed out that sea level rise has been occurring over the past 100 years and is projected to quicken and affect many areas, including much of Rhode Island. Carnevale said that decision makers and communities should start planning for these impacts now before it is too late. Learning from past events, like Hurricane Sandy, can help us prepare for future storms and increase a community’s chance of survival.

Pam Rubinoff, Michelle Carnevale, and Grover Fugate are all members of the management team for the Rhode Island Shoreline Change Special Area Management Plan. To watch the documentary, please click here