Abdelrahman Receives Two Faculty Fellowships Supporting Aquaculture Research and Community Outreach

BRISTOL, R.I. – Hisham Abdelrahman has been selected for two prestigious fellowships, the SciComm Identities Project Fellowship and the North Star Collective Faculty Fellowship, which will enhance his teaching, research, and community outreach as Aquaculture Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Roger Williams University.

Abdelrahman conducts applied research on shellfish aquaculture, with a focus on oyster aquaculture, in RWU’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED). As Aquaculture Extension Specialist, he manages RWU’s two-acre oyster farm and the shellfish nursery, working with a team of undergraduate student researchers on developing aquaculture grow-out methods and addressing environmental and economic challenges facing regional shellfish farmers. Abdelrahman also teaches the university’s Applied Shellfish Farming course to educate farmers and the community on shellfish farming.

The 2025 SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) Fellowship, an initiative of the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab, aims to amplify the science communication research and training of racial and ethnic minority scientists. As a SCIP Fellow, Abdelrahman is being recognized for his commitment to enhancing communication in science and addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in scientific outreach.

“As an Aquaculture Extension Specialist at RWU, the SciComm Identities Project Fellowship equips me with advanced tools to translate complex research into actionable knowledge,” Abdelrahman said. “This fellowship enhances my ability to engage diverse communities in sustainable aquaculture practices, which aligns with CEED’s mission to bridge science and society for environmental and economic resilience.”

The 2025 North Star Collective (NSC) Fellowship provides professional development, mentorship, and community for early-career faculty who are Black, Indigenous and people of color, with an emphasis on supporting faculty leaders as they transform higher education institutions toward greater racial equity through writing and publishing endeavors. As a member institution of the North Star Collective, Roger Williams University is committed to reparative justice and racial equity and to initiatives that propel academia toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

“The North Star Faculty Fellowship reinforces my role as an advocate for inclusive and sustainable aquaculture. By fostering mentorship and professional development, this fellowship supports my work in building collaborative partnerships and addressing the challenges faced by diverse stakeholders in aquaculture and marine science, furthering CEED’s commitment to community-driven solutions,” Abdelrahman said.

CEED is researching many complex issues, from different growing systems to developing optimal rearing methods and preventing and mitigating disease in shellfish species, Abdelrahman said. With CEED’s mission to share its knowledge and findings with the public to improve and advance the aquaculture and marine science industries, Abdelrahman said it is vital to be able to translate these complex scientific concepts for a non-expert audience.

"The combined support from the Metcalf Institute’s science communication fellowship and the North Star Faculty Fellowship creates a unique opportunity to advance CEED’s mission of connecting science with societal needs,” Abdelrahman said. “Together, they enhance my ability to communicate sustainable aquaculture solutions effectively and build inclusive networks that empower communities to address pressing environmental and economic challenges.”