Rhode Island
Next Stop: Medical School
Siblings Bhavya and Lohith Chatragadda graduated from Lincoln High School in consecutive years—both as valedictorian. Their success led them to URI and to the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. The result: both students have been accepted to Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School.
“My brother and I have been going to the same school since pre-school,” said Bhavya, who is 10 months older than her brother. “I’m grateful that we’ve experienced this journey together, which will continue in medical school. The odds of that happening are crazy.”
Exemplary students, the siblings each received a URI Presidential Scholarship, while Lohith received a Think Big RI Scholarship and Bhavya earned a Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair Scholarship.
Different interests, parallel paths
“I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember,” said Bhavya. “When I was applying to colleges, I was drawn to microbiology in URI’s Cell and Molecular Biology program, which would allow me to explore the human body from a cellular level and gain a strong understanding of microorganisms, many of which cause human disease.”
Lohith’s interest in learning about the human body, especially the brain, stemmed from a middle school biology class. “I was fascinated with how the human body is composed of tiny machines called cells that nearly autonomously perform precise operations,” he said. “The human body is the ultimate machine that cannot be emulated by artificial engineering–at least not yet. This led to my interest in how the brain works. Our entire body, and even our perception of ourselves, is controlled by a soft mass in our heads. It seems impossible.”
Lisa Weyandt, URI professor of psychology and director of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, is grateful to have both siblings in the program.“Bhavya and Lohith are highly successful students and great representatives of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program,” said Weyandt. “I’m proud that they chose to pursue their neuroscience degrees at URI.”
The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, launched in 2020, brings together a wide range of disciplines and offers three tracks enabling students to reach their professional goals: molecular neuroscience, offered through the College of the Environment and Life Sciences; clinical neuroscience, offered through the College of Health Sciences; an neuropharmacology, offered through the College of Pharmacy. Students work with an interdisciplinary neuroscience adviser and have access to faculty expertise from across five colleges at URI, as well as researchers at the George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience.
Lohith and Bhavya selected the molecular neuroscience track and also enrolled in URI’s Honors Program. The siblings also study microbiology as a second major.
“The classes in the neuroscience department are the best I’ve taken at URI,” said Lohith. “The professors make a point of connecting the material to clinical applications. That has taught me to view everything through a clinical lens, which will be important in med school. I believe that perspective shined through in my medical school interviews and helped me get accepted.”
Developing strong research skills
One of the most important aspects of the program is the opportunity to participate in hands-on research.
“We value the research component of our program,” said Weyandt. “All neuroscience students are required to complete NEU 410: Experimental Neuroscience, which helps them gain research skills and achieve personal, professional, and academic competencies. Students engage in a wide variety of research labs within the program, ranging from bench work to studies involving human participants.”
With an interest in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, Bhavya joined Assistant Professor Claudia Fallini’s laboratory as a freshman, which enabled her to study the relationship between cytoskeletal changes and neurodegenerative disease in cellular models. After shadowing a graduate student in Fallini’s lab in her first semester, Bhavya quickly developed her confidence and research skills.
“Bhavya has learned several advanced techniques, including stem cell culture and differentiation, microscopy, and image analysis, and can work mostly independently with the supervision of a graduate student,” said Fallini. “She is very dedicated to her research and not afraid to take on new challenges.”
For the past couple of semesters, Bhavya has worked on a project in Fallini’s lab in which she has explored the neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids on stroke induced human cortical neurons in a cellular model. Funded through two URI^2 Undergraduate Research Grants, Bhavya presented her research at the 2024 NEURON Conference.
“My time in the lab has been foundational to my experience at URI,” said Bhavya. “I’ve familiarized myself with common cell culture practices, cell maintenance, and other lab protocols, as well as more general skills, such as grant writing and data presentation, designing my own protocols, interpreting novel data, and sharing my results at national and international conferences.”
Lohith has been conducting research in the College of Engineering’s Wearable Biosensing Laboratory since 2022. Under the tutelage of biomedical engineering professors Kunal Mankodiya and Dhaval Solanki, and kinesiology professor Matthew Delmonico, Lohith has led an interdisciplinary team of computer science students and peers from the College of Health Sciences in the development of a smart textile-based wristband for in-home grip rehabilitation.
“We built an e-textile forearm band that can detect hand gestures to control a custom computer game,” Lohith said. “We’re developing technological solutions to medical problems, which I think is the future.”
“Lohith has a bright future in the healthcare domain,” said Solanki. “He has successfully translated research into real-world healthcare solutions. His ability to bridge technology and medicine, along with his leadership and innovation, make him well-prepared for medical school.”
Study buddies
But among the many benefits of attending URI that have helped prepare them, the siblings count the ability to lean on one another.
“Taking classes with my brother has been like having a built-in study buddy 24/7,” said Bhavya. “We’ve always been close, so it’s been great seeing him on campus and experiencing URI together.”
“Having my sister with me at URI has been a huge source of support,” added Lohith.
—Neil Nachbar
Rhode Island
Boston Globe Rhode Island wins 43 R.I. Press Association editorial awards – The Boston Globe
PROVIDENCE — The Boston Globe Rhode Island team won 43 awards — including 18 first place finishes for Distinguished Journalist, News/Editorial Columnist, investigative reporting, spot news, community journalism, neighborhood coverage, government reporting, and in other categories — in the 2025 Rhode Island Press Association contest honoring work published in 2024.
Alexa Gagosz, Amanda Milkovits, Carlos Muñoz, Christopher Gavin, Dan McGowan, Ed Fitzpatrick, Omar Mohammed, and Steph Machado each received multiple honors at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown, R.I., on May 9. Globe correspondents Alexa Coultoff, Bob Abelman, and Kevin McNamara also won awards for work published in Globe Rhode Island, as did Globe photographers Erin Clark, Lane Turner, and David L. Ryan.
Milkovits, who won first place for investigative reporting, was also honored for first place in general excellence as Distinguished Journalist.
“She has a gift for getting vulnerable people to open up to her and trust her with their stories, and she seeks justice for those unable to fight for themselves,” her entry read. “Her in-depth reporting, tireless questioning, and endless curiosity has had an undeniable impact in the Ocean State, leading to changes in procedures, accountability practices, and policies at the state and local levels.”
Gagosz garnered top honors for her coverage of housing and homelessness in Rhode Island, winning first place in the Single Topic Series category for the fourth year in a row. The Globe Rhode Island team took second place in this same category for their comprehensive coverage of the Washington Bridge closure.
Here are the stories and topics that were singled out for awards:
Distinguished Journalist
First place: Amanda Milkovits, The Boston Globe
News/Editorial Columnist
First Place: Dan McGowan, The Boston Globe
Best Digital Presentation
First place: “Millions of dollars, two investigations, and one lawsuit later: It’s been one year since the Washington Bridge shut down” by Alexa Gagosz and Steph Machado
Best website
Second place: Boston Globe Rhode Island
Feature Photo
Second place: “Their baby was born premature with complex medical needs. The hospital and his deaf parents adapted to help him survive.” by Erin Clark
News Story (Short)
First Place: “The Fed just cut rates. Here is what it means for Rhode Island.” by Omar Mohammed
Third Place: “Karaoke singers belted out three songs at a Providence restaurant in May. Now, the eatery is facing a lawsuit.” by Christopher Gavin
Spot News Story
First Place: “A 10,000-year-old great white shark tooth just washed up on a R.I. beach — again” by Christopher Gavin
Second Place: “The girl wasn’t the intended target. But she became a shooting victim before her 8th birthday.” by Amanda Milkovits and Steph Machado
Investigative or Analytical News Story
First Place: “A man was charged with killing a girl decades after she went missing. The case fell apart, and the accusation cost him everything.” by Amanda Milkovits
Second Place: “Institutionalized in R.I.: A thousand nights stuck in a system that fails kids” by Steph Machado (this investigative report, a broadcast version of which appeared on an episode of WSBE-TV’s “Rhode Island PBS Weekly,” was also nominated for a regional Emmy award).
Community Journalism
First Place: “Brown University transfers 255 acres in Bristol, R.I., to the Pokanoket Indian tribe: ‘We are the original stewards’” by Edward Fitzpatrick
Neighborhood Coverage
First Place: Three stories about Woonsocket, R.I., by Alexa Coultoff. Stories highlighted for this award included:
Government Reporting
First Place: “R.I.’s housing department faces internal struggles, scrutiny over contracts, incomplete projects” by Alexa Gagosz
Third Place: “Cranston, R.I., mayor’s ties to solar developer’s lawyer spill over into election” by Amanda Milkovits
Education Story
Second Place: “‘I became Natalie again.’ At age 90, she’s getting her college degree.” by Dan McGowan
Third Place: “How Career and Tech Education is changing the school landscape in R.I.” by Steph Machado
Religion or Spirituality Story
Third Place: “Finding his faith community: Mayor of Providence Brett Smiley converts to Judaism” by Steph Machado
Reporting on the Environment
Second Place: “‘Ghost gear’ haunts R.I. waters, harming marine life and the environment” by Carlos R. Muñoz
Science or Health Care Story
First Place: “As the private-equity-firm owners look to sell, the future of two safety-net hospitals in R.I. is at stake” by Alexa Gagosz
Third place: “‘She would’ve been alive’: Opening of safe injection site in R.I. is personal for councilwoman who once opposed it” by Steph Machado
Business Story
First Place: “A wealthy developer in Providence has a one-of-a-kind tax deal meant for affordable housing” by Steph Machado
Third Place: “What happens to Rhode Island’s economy if Hasbro moves to Boston?” by Alexa Gagosz
Personality Photo or Portrait
Third place: “‘This could be any of us’: A former journalist ended up homeless. Then, his story inspired a Narragansett family to help.” by Lane Turner
Profile or Personality Story
Second place: “‘This could be any of us’: A former journalist ended up homeless. Then, his story inspired a Narragansett family to help.” by Edward Fitzpatrick
History Journalism
First Place: “What happened to Providence’s Snowtown?” by Carlos R. Muñoz
Third Place: “New mural in Providence honors lost Chinatown and historic drag queen” by Alexa Gagosz
News/Features Columnist
Third Place: Bob Abelman, Globe Rhode Island theater columnist
Feature Story (Short)
Second Place: “These are the unwritten rules of Rhode Island” by Dan McGowan
Feature Story (In-Depth)
First Place: “Teens incarcerated in R.I. write obituaries for the forgotten: ‘No one should be just a number’” by Amanda Milkovits
Second Place: “‘The news says inflation is going down, but nobody sees it’: Long lines for food reveal a desperate need in R.I.” by Edward Fitzpatrick
Arts or Entertainment Story
Third Place: “10 of the year’s most memorable moments in R.I. theater” by Bob Abelman
Best Email Newsletter
Third Place: “The Rhode Island Food Club” by Alexa Gagosz
Food and Dining story
Third Place: “A centuries-old method for tastier fish is catching on in Providence” by Alexa Gagosz
Photo Series or Picture Story
First place: “For teens living with chronic illness, a prom night to remember” by Erin Clark
Sports Story
First Place: “‘A point of pride’: Rhode Island FC barrels its way to the USL title game” by Omar Mohammed
Third Place: “Providence College faces URI on Saturday. It’s more than just a basketball game.” by Kevin McNamara
Sports Feature Story
First Place: “He’s served 14 years in America’s most thankless job: Little League baseball president” by Dan McGowan
Tourism Story
First Place: “A trip to Newport, R.I., inspired by HBO’s ‘The Gilded Age’” by Christopher Gavin
Third Place: “Restaurant Guide: Where to eat in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, R.I.” by the Boston Globe Rhode Island staff
Weather or Climate Photo:
Second Place: “R.I. town offering buyouts to homeowners in some flood-prone neigborhoods” by David L. Ryan
Single-Topic Series
First Place: Housing and Homelessness in Rhode Island, by Alexa Gagosz.
For the second time in as many years, Gagosz’s dedication to holding government officials accountable led to the resignation of the state’s Housing Secretary, and once again she dug in her heels to cover every aspect of the aftermath, from the dysfunction within the state’s housing department to the resignation of the housing secretary’s deputy to the appointment of yet another new Housing Secretary. Stories highlighted in this award included:
Second Place: Coverage of the Washington Bridge, by the Globe Rhode Island staff.
The Washington Bridge plays a critical role in Rhode Island, carrying Interstate 195 into the area and connecting the cities of Providence and East Providence. Approximately 96,000 cars cross it each day. When it abruptly closed after a “catastrophic failure” in late December 2023, the entire Globe Rhode Island team sprang into action. In 2024, we kept our spotlight focused on the closure of the bridge and the aftermath, covering every angle, from money spent to lawsuits filed to people and businesses directly affected. Stories highlighted in this award included:
More award-winning stories
Lylah Alphonse can be reached at lylah.alphonse@globe.com. Follow her @WriteEditRepeat.
Good Saturday morning, Newport!
Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy!
Weather Forecast
- Today: A slight chance of showers between 10 am and noon. Patchy fog before 11 am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Marine Forecast
- Small Craft Advisory in effect from May 10, 11:00 AM until May 10, 08:00 PM
- Today: WNW wind 8 to 11 kt increasing to 11 to 14 kt in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 kt. A slight chance of showers, mainly between 10 am and noon. Patchy fog before 11 am. Seas 1 ft or less.
- Tonight: WNW wind 5 to 7 kt. Mostly clear. Seas 1 ft or less.
- The coastal water temperature is 50 degrees.
Sun, Moon & Tide
- Sunrise at 5:30 am. Sunset at 7:52 pm. 14 hours & 22 minutes of sun.
- High tide at 7:13 am & 7:31 p.m. Low tide at 12:41 am & 12:24 pm.
- The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.
🚨 You need to know
Newport is among five Rhode Island communities joining the AARP Age-Friendly movement, according to a new report.
The 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report, funded by Point32Health Foundation, offers insights into the health and well-being of older adults across the state.
The report shows that 25% of Rhode Island’s population is now 60 or older, an increase of 30,000 adults since 2020. Additionally, 18% of the state’s residents are 65 or older, up from 16.5% in the previous report.
Newport’s participation in the age-friendly initiative supports the state’s focus on its aging population. The city joins Bristol, Cranston, Providence, and Westerly in making their communities more livable for all ages.
The report highlights several areas needing improvement across Rhode Island, including mental health. About 35% of adults 65 or older in the state have been diagnosed or treated for depression.
The report also compares Rhode Island to other New England states, revealing it has the highest rates of high cholesterol, hypertension, and multiple chronic conditions among older adults.
See the full report here.
📈 Yesterday’s most-read
The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.
- Charles L. Roberts: I dream of my mother on Mother’s Day
- Letter to the Editor: Prioritize Newport’s future, maintain robust FY2026 capital funding
- Surv announces major franchise partnership for national expansion
- Michele Gallagher: It takes a matriarchal village to make a shop feel like a home
- Things to do in Newport County this weekend: May 9 – 11
- Letter to the Editor: Middletown taxpayers deserve respect, not reprimands
- Obituary: Linda Iafrate
- Newport prepares for 2025 Cruise Season: Full schedule and peak visit times revealed
- Annual Quahog Week returns for ninth edition May 11 – 17
- This Day in RI History: May 9, 1861 -U.S. Naval Academy moved to Newport
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening this weekend in Newport.
Saturday, May 10
Things To Do
Live Music & Entertainment
Newport County Public Meetings
Sunday, May 11
Morning Notes: Newport’s Mother’s Day celebrations offer something for everyone
Things To Do
Live Music & Entertainment
- Clarke Cooke House: Bobby Ferreira at 12:30 pm
- Fastnet Irish Pub: Irish Sessions at 6 pm
- Irish American Club: Karaoke at 9 pm
- Johnny’s Restaurant: Mac Chrupcala Jazz Series at 3 pm
- JPT Film & Event Center: Marcella at 2 pm, The Friend at 4:30 pm
- Landing: Dezi Garcia at 12:30 pm, Timeless at 4 pm
- Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.: Mark Flynn at 1 pm
- O’Brien’s Pub: Karaoke at 9:30 pm
- One Pelham East: Ryan McHugh at 9 pm
- Pour Judgement: Los Duderinos at 10 pm
- Speakeasy Bar & Grill: Live music at 9:30 pm
- The Quencher: Ride The Vibe Duo at 2 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- No public meetings are scheduled.
Organizing an event? Submit it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar.
Everything you need to know about a recession
Economic downturns and falling stock markets can bring hardship and fear. Here’s what you should — and shouldn’t — do when a slump looms.
The Republic
- Rhode Island revenue projections for this fiscal year and next have been revised upwards by nearly $80 million.
- Current-year revenue is expected to exceed expectations by $60.7 million, driven by increases in various taxes, while sales tax is projected to fall $22 million short.
- Despite the positive revenue news, legislative leaders remain cautious due to concerns about the national economy and potential future challenges.
Despite concern that the national economy is at risk of a recession, Rhode Island revenue collections have been revised up nearly $80 million for this year and next, according to new projections from state fiscal analysts.
The latest projections, released Friday, May 9, show state revenue for the year ending June exceeding expectations by $60.7 million.
And they predict revenue in the fiscal year starting July 1 to be $19.3 million higher than they expected last November.
The rosier-than-expected revenue forecast will take some pressure off House Democratic leaders writing a state budget for next year by eating into what had been a projected $250 million budget deficit.
Legislative leaders take a conservative stance
Despite state revenues continuing to climb, General Assembly leaders remained downbeat, at least in part to discourage their members from demanding lots of new state spending.
“The revenue results preview the effects of the weakening U.S. economy linked to turmoil in Washington, D.C., House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said in an email. “Any short-term positive news is overshadowed by the magnitude of that uncertainty and the many related or unsolved budget issues.”
New Senate President Valarie Lawson and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis DiPalma said: “While we are pleased that revenue and caseload estimates remain relatively stable compared to the estimates made in November, we are experiencing a more challenging budget, and more difficult choices, than in recent years.”
Tax revenues climbing, with one exception
The new numbers from the twice-a-year Revenue Estimating Conference expect current-year revenue to reach $5.6 billion on increases in personal income tax, corporate tax, utility tax, insurance premium tax, cigarette tax, alcohol tax, estate tax and lottery profit. The major exception to the upward tax revisions was sales tax, which is now expected to come in $22 million short of the November estimate.
At the end of April, economists from Moody’s Analytics told the Revenue Estimating Conference that they expect the economy to slow in the years ahead and unemployment to rise, but stopped short of predicting recession.
Looking forward to next year, the revenue estimators predict collections of $5.7 billion on a modest increase in personal income tax, insurance tax and lottery collections. They expect sales tax to continue to slide back next year.
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