Prospective Students

Interested in joining us?

Send me an email (Chris.Russoniello@uri.edu) and include an updated resume or CV and a brief description of your research interests.

Students in the lab are associated with the University of Rhode Island Department of Geosciences in Kingston, RI. 

Who Should Apply?

The number one requirement in the lab is an eagerness to learn! I work with all students to develop projects that fit both my interests and yours -- most projects mix fieldwork, computational analyses, and numerical modeling.

Fieldwork means working in sometimes strenuous outdoor environments, carrying heavy equipment and working long hours, in conditions that may be wet, cold, hot, or sunny. Lab and fieldwork require application of quantitative methods of scientific inquiry. Most lab members use hydrogeologic modeling codes (like MODFLOW, FEFLOW, and SUTRA) for numerical simulations and scientific analysis codes (like Python and Matlab) to analyze model results and field data -- previous experience with coding is helpful, but the only requirement is a willingness to learn these tools!

How does funding work?

I encourage graduate students who work with me to apply for outside funding, from such programs as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. That said, if you are accepted to this program, we will work together to ensure you have complete funding throughout your graduate tenure through a mix of TA, RA, and fellowship appointments. You're not going to get rich going to grad school, but we will do our best to fund your tuition and living expenses while you're here!

Expectations in the Russoniello Lab (adapted from Dr. Margaret Zimmer):

I am looking for motivated, flexible, and independent researchers who enjoy collaborative and positive work environments, and value a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, experiences. Graduate school is a serious commitment of time and energy and you have chosen to pursue it to achieve a range of intellectual and/or professional goals. My job is to ensure your effort helps you achieve those goals in a supportive, stimulating, and rigorous environment. In return, I expect you to fully participate in the lab group and department, support other members of the lab group, and to be productive during your time (e.g. present at conferences, publish manuscripts, attend seminars, etc.). In an effort to make my expectations clear, I have prepared a list of my responsibilities as an adviser to my graduate students and a list of expectations I have of graduate students in my lab. During the application period, I encourage you to discuss these expectations and responsibilities with me to create a personalized set of student-adviser expectations.

My responsibilities as an adviser:

• Work with students to identify and address research objectives through collaborative design of a thesis or dissertation project

• Provide financial support throughout graduate school

• Provide a supportive, constructive work environment that is collaborative in nature

• Meet one-on-one weekly to discuss progress and plans during early stages of graduate tenure, and biweekly/as needed during late stages

• Consistently discuss future career goals and help facilitate achievement of those goals - your success is my success! 

• Listen to concerns and feedback and be flexible during difficult times

• I will help you as best I can, and I will point you towards other people and resources to help when I cannot.

My expectations for students in my lab:

• Be open, excited, and eager to learn and collaborate

• Participate in lab group meetings and in departmental events (e.g., weekly colloquia, departmental get-togethers)

• Follow through on weekly meetings and short-term research plans

• Apply for outside funding (I will help you identify fellowship and grant opportunities)

• Be a team player in the lab group and don't be afraid to ask for help

• Be rigorous and serious with your science

• Submit 1 manuscript as MS student and 3 manuscripts as PhD student during your time in the lab (acceptance is not required for graduation) 

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Interested in joining the lab?

1. Reach out to me by email and express your interest! (chris.russoniello@uri.edu)

2. ​To apply for admission, submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and statements of interest through the URI application portal