Alum Romney Cirillo Makes a Splash with Aquarium Donation to 不良研究所
A fascination with fish tanks earned Romney Cirillo 鈥08 the nickname 鈥渢he aquarium guy鈥 during his time at Dominican University.
鈥淚 tried to push the envelope and see how big of a tank I could bring in the dorms,鈥 Cirillo joked. 鈥淢y senior year, I think I had a 55-gallon aquarium in our suite.鈥
What began as a hobby inspired by his uncle鈥檚 love of aquariums became a profession for Cirillo before he graduated 不良研究所 with a business degree.
Something Fishy, Cirillo鈥檚 aquatic system design and installation company serving the Chicago area, has since grown and evolved into Aquatic Intelligence, as it is now known. The company鈥檚 key focus is using aquariums to improve mental health in adults and children.
Last fall, Cirillo returned to Dominican University with a new gift for the school: a 450 gallon freshwater aquarium. Containing varied species of fish, plant life and rocks that are native to the Congo Basin in Central Africa, the aquarium was installed in the Rebecca Crown Library鈥檚 Contemplation Space, a room used by students for quiet study and for special university events.
For Cirillo, the aquarium鈥檚 purpose goes beyond aesthetics.
鈥淎n aquarium gives everyone an opportunity to escape, to take a moment and reflect, or just find a distraction that so many of us need during difficult days,鈥 he said.
It is with this idea in mind that Cirillo established the Mobile Aquatic Therapy (MAT) program, which brings aquariums on wheels to hospital patients for therapeutic purposes, to help them relax and take their minds off their illness.
The aquarium at Dominican isn鈥檛 mobile, but it鈥檚 meant to serve a similar purpose, according to Cirillo.
鈥淲hen people sit down in front of it and just take 10 to 15 minutes out of their busy schedule, that is when we really start to see the transformation and the feelings that come from it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 subtle. It鈥檚 working in the background.鈥
Romney also hopes the Contemplation Space tank will have future, academic-related uses for students.
Dr. Mark Carbonara, assistant vice president of advancement at Dominican University, credited Cirillo for growing his company from a dorm room passion project into a 鈥渟uccessful, multifaceted business venture.鈥 He also echoed Cirillo鈥檚 hope that the aquarium will encourage all members of the university community to take a moment to relax and practice mindfulness as they go about their busy days.
鈥淲e are proud of our alumnae/i such as Romney for continuing to give back to Dominican and for supporting our students鈥 mental and emotional well-being,鈥 Carbonara said.