URI Receives Transformational $7 Million Pledge for Biotechnology and Neuroscience Research

The University of Rhode Island has recently announced a significant pledge of $7 million towards advancing cutting-edge research and supporting students in the field of biotechnology and life sciences. This generous contribution comes from the estate of Cherubina “Ruby” DeChristofaro and her late husband, Joseph ’56 DeChristofaro. In recognition of this substantial gift, the university will be renaming its life sciences building the Joseph ’56 and Ruby DeChristofaro Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.

This transformative donation has led to the establishment of the Joseph ’56 and Ruby DeChristofaro Award for Scholarly Excellence in Neuroscience, aimed at undergraduate students, and the Joseph ’56 and Ruby DeChristofaro Distinguished Endowed Faculty Fund in Molecular Life and Neurosciences.

URI President Marc Parlange expressed deep gratitude for the remarkable gift, highlighting its potential to drive impactful discoveries and build upon the university’s strengths in research and academia. The Joseph ’56 and Ruby DeChristofaro Award for Scholarly Excellence in Neuroscience is set to benefit two third-year undergraduate students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program.

The newly created Joseph ’56 and Ruby DeChristofaro Distinguished Endowed Faculty Fund in Molecular Life and Neurosciences will play a crucial role in supporting faculty members engaged in cutting-edge research in molecular life and neuroscience. With over 30 dedicated faculty members focused on understanding the complexities of the brain and developing innovative treatments, this endowed fund will help attract and retain top-tier professors in the field.

Dean John Kirby praised the monumental gift, referring to it as an investment in scientific research and the future generations of scholars. As a result of this transformative donation, URI will be renaming its Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building, a premier research facility in the university offering state-of-the-art laboratories and advanced teaching facilities for various disciplines, including neuroscience, environmental science, and health sciences.

Joseph DeChristofaro, an alumni of URI, had a distinguished career in civil and environmental engineering before venturing into the insurance industry. He worked for renowned companies such as Allendale Insurance Company, now known as FM Global. Together with his wife, Cherubina, they chose to support URI’s molecular life and neuroscience research as part of their enduring legacy for future generations. The Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, where the donation will have a significant impact, was established in 2008 and continues to be a hub for groundbreaking research and academic pursuits.