Bethany Jenkins

Bethany Jenkins is Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology and Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island's College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and serves as Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Oregon and a BS in Biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College. Her research examines coastal ecosystem responses to climate change, marine plastic pollution, and ocean biogeochemistry.

She leads NSF EPSCoR projects on coastal ecology and marine plastics, employing genomic methods to study nutrient metabolism. Her work spans the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean, with emphasis on diatom physiology and harmful algal blooms.

Awards:

• URI Research and Scholarship Excellence Award (2018)
• Brown University Inspiring Women in Science Award (2016)

Jenkins has held leadership roles in the Ocean Carbon Biogeochemistry Program and NSF GEOTRACES. She previously directed graduate programs in Biological and Environmental Sciences.