Christopher J. Russoniello
URI DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES
College of the Environment and Life Sciences
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences at The University of Rhode Island. I was previously an assistant professor in the West Virginia University Department of Geology and Geography from July 2019 to August 2022.
Deon and Amelia in the Mackenzie Delta
I'm looking for graduate students to start Fall 2024!
Reach out if you have interest: chris.russoniello@uri.edu
URI Grad Program (Graduate Program Webpage, Application FAQs)
Applications for Fall Semester 2024 accepted until december 15
Potential projects:
Groundwater flow in the Arctic - We're trying to understand how permafrost controls groundwater flow in Arctic Deltas. This project will involve computer groundwater modeling , Arctic fieldwork to measure permafrost and groundwater, and programming in Python to process the data
Groundwater recharge in a changing climate - We're constructing GIS-based models to predict how groundwater recharge (the amount of precipitation that gets into aquifers) will change during the 21st century and beyond!
Impact of sea level rise on coastal aquifers in New England - fieldwork-based project to measure the impact of sea level rise on groundwater, solutes, and gas emissions in coastal aquifers, wetlands, and beaches.
Who are we?
Our research group is interested in understanding how physical hydrologic processes influence water movement, availability, and quality across the globe -- especially how surface water and groundwater interact along coastlines, in mountain streams, and in the Arctic.
We work on interdisciplinary research projects to couple field and laboratory experiments with innovative numerical computer models and lean on collaborators to understand how movement of water is linked to the chemistry and ecology of systems.
Research Interests Include:
Coastal Hydrogeology • Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers • Climate Impact on Water Resources
Heat Tracing in Hydrology • Cold Region (Ant/Arctic) Hydrology • Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) • Computer Modeling
My Training:
2017-2019
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Associate
Advisor: Dr. Laura K. Lautz
2012-2017
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Ph.D. Geology
Advisor: Dr. Holly A. Michael
2009-2012
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
M.S. Geology
Advisor: Dr. Holly A. Michael
2002-2006
Colby College, Waterville, ME
B.A. Geology
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer D. Shosa