URI alum returns as ocean engineering assistant professor

When not researching ocean engineering at the University of Rhode Island, Jennifer Amaral spends her time either in the water or on walks with her two dogs, Jali and Koda.

Amaral began first year at URI in Browning Hall in 2007, and returned to the university as an assistant research professor of ocean engineering in April.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering in 2011, Amaral said she continued her education journey at URI by obtaining her master’s degree in 2013 and doctoral degree in 2021.

“I always knew I wanted to go into marine sciences or something with the ocean,” Amaral said. “I found this program to be a good mix of the marine sciences, ocean related topics and engineering, which is what I came here for.”

While earning her master’s and doctorate degrees, Amaral held an internship at Lockheed Martin where she worked as a defense contractor, according to her. She learned the ropes of ocean engineering and its real-world applications in this position.

Amaral now works for Marine Acoustics, an environmental consultant company in Middletown, Rhode Island. As a senior engineer, Amaral works with different companies to help them conduct acoustic testing and experiments.

The Marine Acoustics job also involves working with different government agencies and companies to be a liaison between advocating for the safety of marine life and helping companies advance, according to Amaral. This means making sure that unnecessary sound is not put into the water, which can be harmful to the environment and animals.

Amaral has interned with a variety of defense contractors, offshore wind industry, the United States Navy and government organizations, according to her. In each of these roles, she was heavily involved in research and collaboration with other companies.

“I feel like all of my jobs have been connected in some way,” Amaral said. “I did really enjoy the internships I had when I was in grad school because I met a lot of different people in different fields and backgrounds, so we were able to do a lot of collaborative research.”

One such experience was getting to dive in the Johnson Sea Link Submersible through Florida Atlantic University, according to Amaral. The sub descended to the bottom of the ocean where Amaral and others ran through a series of tests to ensure all the safety features were functioning.

Amaral splits her time between research for URI and Marine Acoustics.

Amaral’s full circle at URI was completed when she returned to conduct research and advise students. Though not teaching, Amaral said she enjoys the academic environment and being in a place where she has the freedom to facilitate research.

“I find it rewarding to advise and mentor students and have that relationship with students to help them grow and find what interests them,” Amaral said.

Amaral hopes to continue advising at the university and making research contributions in ocean engineering to give back to the scientific community.