Carol Thornber, PhD

Dean, School for the Environment University of Massachusetts Boston
Carol Thornber

Biography

(NORDP Consultant since 2023)

Carol brings extensive experience in higher education leadership, with expertise in research development, strategic planning, and programmatic review. She currently serves as Dean of the School for the Environment at UMass Boston and is a marine environmental scientist.

Before joining UMass Boston, Carol was a Professor at the University of Rhode Island (2004–2024), where she held several key leadership roles. These included serving as Principal Investigator (PI) for Rhode Island's NSF EPSCoR Track-1 program, Associate Dean of Research for the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and Director of University Research Operations for the Division of Research and Economic Development.

Throughout her career, Carol has been dedicated to enhancing the research grant experience for faculty, staff, and students at her institutions, as well as supporting emerging research institutions and minority-serving institutions.