From learning Biology at Salve Regina to teaching it at Barnard College of Columbia University, Gabrielle Corradino ’11 has used her experiences from college to pave the path to internships, research and other learning opportunities.

After graduating from Salve Regina in 2011 with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology, Corradino continued her education as a research assistant under an ecology grant at Yale University. Her work there “under the microscope,” as she calls it, lead to her defending her PhD thesis in biological oceanography studying marine plankton. Now, in addition to teaching at Barnard College of Columbia University, she’s also teaching an additional class at New York University. 

When asked about her favorite Salve Regina memory, Corradino reflected on a few. “Everything I did at Salve, from the undergraduate research experience, internships and the environmental club all helped set me up for where I am now.” During a study abroad trip to Belize with Dr. Chace and several other biology students, Corradino had the opportunity to go from ridge to reef, exploring the overlap of key ecological, geological and socioeconomical concepts. “There was no cell service,” Corradino remembers, “just a bunch of budding scientists hiking, laughing, and talking ecology all day long.” 

The other memory Corradino has of her time at Salve Regina is of an independent research project with Dr. Chace through an internship at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. During this time, she was able to see all her research interests and work come together. While on campus, Corradino used to spend time in the biology labs, Jazzman’s Café, and McKillop Library. On Saturday mornings, she used to wake up and wait for the library to open. “I would go and read a few sections of the New York Times before I started to work. I did this alone, and it was so peaceful!” Even when she visits Salve Regina now, she returns to the same spot in the library to sit in the chairs and reminisce about these weekends. While living in Miley Hall her freshman year, Corradino was able to saunter downstairs each Sunday morning to the omelet station. Like many other Salve Regina alumni, Corradino swears Sherman House was haunted her sophomore year, and she spent her junior and senior year living off campus in an apartment across from a dog park. 

Spending a lot of time participating in the Environmental Club, Corradino became Vice President of the club her senior year. She enjoyed taking part in beach clean-ups and Earth Hour events throughout her college career and continues to keep in touch with her favorite professors-Dr. Chace and Dr. Condella. “I cannot express how much both professors taught me about critical thinking and data analytics. They both guided me-and still do! I still use several of the books that I read with them (Omnivores Dilemma, Silent Springs, and The Emotional Lives of Animals) in my own classes at Barnard and NYU,” Corradino states. 

Looking back at her decision to attend Salve Regina, Corradino knew that she would be seen at Salve Regina. After visiting with her mother before freshman year, she was able to envision herself on the campus and in the biology department. With the help of professors, this powerful vision helped her make the decision to attend Salve Regina. “When thinking about attending college, students are constantly pushed in a million directions-which can make decisions difficult,” Corradino explains. “I recommend spending time to start to identify what your interests are and what skills you want to hone in on during your four years [at school]. There are countless opportunities in Newport and at Salve Regina, and narrowing in on a few areas of interest will help you decide which department will make you successful.” 

In addition to all the time Corradino spent dedicating to research in and out of the biology labs, she also volunteered at the Potter League Animal Shelter, using this as an outlet for stress relief. While interning at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, she was introduced to birds, cultivating her passion for outreach and science education. Now, as a college professor, Corradino continues thinking beyond her own circle. This constant reflection is brought into her own lectures as she reflects on how she is helping to shape the next generation and their relationship with the sciences. Much like the impact her experiences at Salve Regina had on her, Corradino is now creating that impact for many other students like herself.