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BRISTOL, R.I. – A rising senior at �ۿ۴�ý is gaining international attention in the field of marine biology for her groundbreaking research on sustainable seafood production and aquatic ecosystem health. Branalysa Varela, a double major in Marine Biology and Environmental Science with a minor in Mathematics of Taunton, Mass., is studying the survival and growth of Bay scallops in outdoor flow-through nursery systems.

RWU’s leadership in developing scientific and entrepreneurial innovations in the region’s blue economy enabled Varela to discover her passion for aquaculture through courses across the Marine Biology program (which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary) and real-world research in the Wet Lab.

“I wanted to further my knowledge in this area to explore the connection between sustainable seafood production and marine ecosystem health,” Varela said. “It gave me the chance to look into hands-on aquaculture methods and understand how small changes in gear design can impact survival and growth rates of Bay scallops.”

Varela’s research centers on improving survival rates in aquaculture systems, a key step toward helping farms meet the rising global demand for seafood while supporting healthier marine environments. “Scallops are filter feeders, meaning they naturally help clean the water column,” she said. “They also contribute to nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.” Her work highlights how sustainable aquaculture practices can benefit both industry and ecosystem function.

�ۿ۴�ý played a key role in supporting Varela’s research, providing access to laboratory facilities, dedicated faculty mentorship, and opportunities to share her work. She showcased her findings, titled “Assessing Nursery Gear Effectiveness for Bay Scallop Growth and Survival in Outdoor Flow-through Nursery Systems,” at the , where she earned third place in an international student competition.

Professor of Biology Hisham Abdelrahman served as Varela’s faculty mentor throughout the research process, providing support and constructive feedback that helped shape her journey. “He helped push me to pursue opportunities I wouldn’t have considered on my own, like presenting at RWU’s Student Academic Showcase and Honors,” she said.

As she prepares to enter her senior year, Varela encourages other students to take initiative and stay open to new opportunities. “Keep asking around – there are professors looking for students to help with their projects,” she said. “Aquaculture wasn’t exactly what I thought I wanted to do, but I ended up enjoying every part of it. This experience led me to place third at an international conference, which I never expected. Don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar – it might open unexpected doors.”