The 21st annual Borns Symposium at the University of Maine, April 22–23, this year will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Climate Change Institute. The event, named for institute founder Harold Borns, features UMaine climate change scientists presenting their latest research. Highlights of the two-day symposium, which is free and open to the public, include the David Clayton Smith Lecture, “The History of the Climate Change Institute: A 40-year Record of Excellence,” by professors emeriti George Jacobson and Hal Borns, 6:10 p.m., April 22, followed at 7 p.m. by alumni lectures: “The Human and Environmental Interactions in the High Andes of Peru: An Interdisciplinary Perspective,” by Kurt Rademaker and Gordon Bromley; and “Late Glacial and Holocene Climate Changes Registered by Small Ice Caps at High and Low Latitudes,” by Meredith Kelly. Research presentations take place the afternoon of April 22 and throughout the morning and into the afternoon of April 23. The symposium will be streamed using Google+. For more information or a full schedule of the research sessions, or to request disability accommodations, contact Betty Lee, 207.581.3406.
Archive for the ‘Campus Announcements’ Category
Borns Symposium April 22–23
Thursday, April 18th, 2013Big Gig Networking Event at Verve
Thursday, April 18th, 2013The Foster Center for Student Innovation will host a Big Gig Networking Event from 5:30–7 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at the Verve restaurant in downtown Orono. The event offers a chance to network and learn about projects going on in the community. Student business owners from the Foster Center will be in attendance including John and Christine Carney of Through Thick and Thin and Roosevelt Boone from Strong Mind, Strong Body Inc. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. RSVP online. For more information or to request disability accommodations, call the Foster Center, 207.581.1454.
Lecture, Musical Performance Set for April 21
Thursday, April 18th, 2013The University of Maine School of Performing Arts will present “Promise Versus Prohibition: The Divided Life of Composer Dorothy Smith Dushkin (1903–1992),” a lecture by Kaitlin Briggs, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, University of Southern Maine, with performances of musical selections composed by Dushkin, at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21 in Minsky Recital Hall. Dushkin selections, “Sonatine for Violin and Piano” (1928), “Berceuse (for Nadia)” (1949), “Inconsequential (for David Alex)” (1949), “Sonata for Flute and Piano” (1972/1976) and “Episode No. 1” (1965) will be performed by UMaine Professor of Music Anatole Wieck, violin; Instructor of Music Liz Downing, flute; and Associate Professor of Music Laura Artesani, piano. Dushkin was a composer, diarist and co-founder of music schools in Illinois and Vermont.
2013 Undergraduate Research and Academic Showcase Winners
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013Student research was displayed during the 4th annual Undergraduate Research and Academic Showcase on April 16.
The event, sponsored by UMaine’s Center for Undergraduate Research and open to any undergraduate at the university, featured presentations from 117 students, consisting of 77 posters, 32 oral presentations or performances, and eight exhibits.
Following are the winning presentations:
Exhibits
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Carolie Dapice (new media), “Study of Creative Storytelling,” mentor Joline Blais; first place, $200
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Carolyn Pugliano (electrical and computer engineering), “A Lateral Field Excited Gas Sensor,” mentor John Vetelino; honorable mention, $50
Oral Presentations
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Jing “Jacky” Deng (molecular and biomedical sciences), “Clinical Trial Comparing the use of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid with Aquamantys Bipolar Sealer for Blood Loss Reduction in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty,” mentor Kim Carol; first place, $200
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Emily Hinkle (food science and human nutrition), “Cooking and Varietal Effects on Potato In Vitro Bile Acid Binding Capability,” mentor Mary Camire; second place, $100
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Valerie Smith (chemistry), “Detection of Aqueous Hg(II) with Infrared Spectroscopy,” mentor Carl Tripp; third place, $75
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Alex Nash (civil and environmental engineering), “Green Composites: From Under Foot to Under Hood,” mentor Douglas Gardner; honorable mention, $50
Posters
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Conrad Rier (physics and astronomy), “Habitability of Exomoons,” mentor Neil Comins; first place, $200.
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Joshua Jones (molecular and biomedical sciences), “Morphogenesis Mediates Candida albicans Dissemination,” mentor Robert Wheeler; tied for second place, $100.
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Kendra Bird (anthropology), “Specialized Activities in the Middle Woodland Period: An Analysis of Feature 8, Holmes Point West,” mentor Brian Robinson; tied for second place, $100
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Lydia Drown, Brett Radosti and Michelle Landry (communication science and disorders), “Effects of Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury on Speech in Adolescents,” mentor Nancy Hall; tied for third place, $75
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Paige Martin (psychology), “The Effect of Cataract Surgery on Depression and Vision-Related Quality of Life,” mentor Lira Yoon; tied for third place, $75
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Christopher Young (psychology), “The Relationship Between High Behavioral Inhibition and Cortisol Reactivity,” mentor Lira Yoon; honorable mention $50
Also announced at the showcase were the six winners of a $3,000 Summer Research and Creative Academic Achievements Fellowship:
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Ruth Castillo, “Biofilm Formation on Medical Implants, A Zebrafish Model,” mentor Paul Millard
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Jonathan Cole, “Virtual Simulations of Compensatory Techniques for Age-Related Vision Loss,” mentor Nicholas A. Giudice
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Jameson Ford, “Effects of Ketamine on Motor Coordination and Pain Sensitivity in Ethanol-withdrawing Animals,” mentor Alan Rosenwasser
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Audrey Maddox, “Abundance and Species Composition of the Pollinator Community on Squash in Northeastern Maine,” mentor Frank Drummond
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Jonathan McCullum, “Developing Critical Thinking and Collaboration Skills in Science Education,” mentor Jonathan Shemwell
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Nadine Nicke, “Multicolor Time-Lapse Imaging of Immune Damage to a Fungal Pathogen,” mentor Robert Wheeler
Migratory Birds Focus of Workshop in Acadia National Park
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013Rebecca Holberton, University of Maine professor and migratory bird expert, will host the Northeast Regional Migration Monitoring Network’s annual meeting April 19–20 in Moore Auditorium at Schoodic Education and Research Center Institute in Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor.
Friday’s presentations and discussions include studies of bird and bat migration patterns, assessing risks of offshore wind development, new tracking technologies, and developing research priorities for the region.
Saturday’s hands-on workshops include bird-banding, passive acoustic monitoring and tracking technologies.
Northeast Regional Migration Monitoring Network, which comprises state and federal resource agencies, academic institutions and private foundations from Atlantic Canada to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, was formed in 2010 and supports management and conservation of migratory birds.
For more information, contact Holberton at rebecca.holberton@maine.edu or 207.669.2842. For more information on the network, visit sbe.umaine.edu/avian/MigrationMonitoring.html.
Maine Day Slated for May 1
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013The 78th annual Maine Day is slated for Wednesday, May 1 and includes campus service projects, a barbecue and oozeball — mud volleyball — competition.
The University of Maine’s tradition began in 1935 when President Arthur Hauck set aside a day every spring for students, faculty, staff and alumni to come together to spruce up the campus. Maine Day is usually observed on Wednesday during the last week of regular classes of the spring semester.
The day begins with a campus parade starting by the New Balance Student Recreation Center at 8:30 a.m., and ending at the Mall around 9 a.m., followed by cleanup projects throughout the morning. A free barbecue will be held at noon in the Steam Plant Lot and is open to UMaine students, faculty and staff. In the afternoon, student teams will compete in the oozeball championship.
Service projects will include bike path cleanup, graffiti washing, picnic table painting, a car wash, and general trash pick up and beautification around campus and along College Avenue.
In the event of rain, the barbecue and other events will be held in the New Balance Student Recreation Center as space allows.
For more information or to request disability accommodations, visit the Student Affairs website, email David Fiacco on FirstClass or contact Lisa Morin at 207.581.4194. To sign up for service projects, visit the Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism website by April 19.
Maine Day is organized by the Division of Student Affairs’ Maine Day Committee and is funded through the support of the President’s Office, Division of Student Affairs, vice president for administration and finance, Facilities Management and University of Maine Dining.
Search Committee Formed for New UMaine Ice Hockey Coach
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013University of Maine Director of Athletics Steve Abbott has announced formation of a seven-member search committee to help identify the new head coach of the UMaine men’s ice hockey team.
The search committee will begin work immediately and seek to provide the director of athletics with the names of recommended candidates within the next two months, to be forwarded for a final decision by UMaine President Paul Ferguson.
Robert Corkum was named interim head coach of UMaine men’s ice hockey on April 10, replacing Tim Whitehead, who was released from his contract April 9. Corkum, a UMaine alumnus who played on the UMaine hockey team (1985–89) and then 12 years in the NHL, has been an associate head coach with the university’s men’s ice hockey program since 2008.
“Our aspiration with this coaching search will be to find that individual who can best build upon the significant successes of both Shawn Walsh and Tim Whitehead, and rekindle the collective spirit, energy and support of the entire Black Bear Hockey Nation,” says UMaine President Paul Ferguson.
Dr. George Jacobson, professor emeritus of biology, ecology and climate change, and the university’s former NCAA faculty athletic representative, will chair the search committee. Jacobson joined the UMaine faculty in 1979 and serves as the Maine State Climatologist. In addition to his years of research and service to the state, which included his role as a member of the “Faculty Five,” advancing research funding in the state of Maine, Jacobson has played an integral role in UMaine athletics. He has served on numerous search committees for coaches and athletic directors, athletic advisory committees and America East Conference committees.
“Through his participation in numerous head coach searches, and with experience as the NCAA faculty representative, George understands the necessary balance needed in athletics related to competition and student academic success,” says Abbott.
Joining Jacobson on the search committee will be:
Cherie Damon, president and long-time member of Friends of Maine Hockey, recipient of the 2011 Friends of Maine Hockey Volunteer of the Year Award and parent of a former player.
Dr. Nic Erhardt, UMaine assistant professor of management in the Maine Business School, faculty liaison to the men’s hockey team, and member of the Athletic Advisory Board. Erhardt played semi-professional hockey in Sweden.
Peter Metcalf, UMaine alumnus (Business, ’02), Portland business leader in financial advising and former professional hockey player. Metcalf was a defenseman when the Black Bears went to the 1999 National Championship and a captain of the 2002 team that was national runner-up.
Dr. Richard Powell, UMaine associate professor of political science, and director of the Peter Madigan ’81 Congressional Internship Program and the Kenneth Palmer Maine State Legislative Internship Program. Powell has been involved in hockey as a player, coach and administrator for more than 40 years in Michigan and Maine.
Jon Sorenson, UMaine alumnus (Economics, ’86), Massachusetts business leader in the energy industry, member of Business and Engineering Advisory Boards, co-chair of Black Bears of Boston, founder of the Boston Executive Club of the University of Maine, and a strong UMaine hockey supporter.
Janine Tremble, UMaine alumna (Merchandising, ’86), marketing specialist with Maine Savings and president elect of the Black Bear Board of Advisors.
Graduate Students Present Social Work Research Symposium May 1
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013Members of the University of Maine community are invited to attend the School of Social Work’s Community-Engaged Research Symposium 12–3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at the Wells Conference Center on campus. The symposium, hosted by Jennifer Middleton and Master in Social Work students, will include sessions on research about assessing falls risks in older adults and mothers’ experiences with opioid-exposed infants. For more information or to request disability accommodations, contact Victoria Kane at 207.581.2389.
Symphonic and Concert Bands to Perform in Joint Concert
Friday, April 12th, 2013The University Symphonic and Concert bands will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m., April 18 in the Collins Center for the Arts. The concert will feature works of Ryan Nowlin, Harry L. Alford, Johannes Brahms, Frank Ticheli and William Schuman.
Admission is $12; free with a student MaineCard. Tickets can be purchased at the Collins Center for the Arts box office or at the door prior to the performance. For more information or disability accommodations, call the Collins Center for the Arts, 207.581.1755.
Jason Priest, winner of the Symphonic Band solo competition in December, and a senior music performance and music education double major from Old Town, Maine, will solo on the euphonium in “Rhapsody for Euphonium and Concert Band” by James Curnow.
Faculty member Dan Barrett, who has been teaching low brass at UMaine since 2009, will perform a featured trombone solo in “Variations on Barnacle Bill the Sailor” by Steven Frank.
The evening also will feature the presentation of the University of Maine Alumni Association Black Bear Award to Symphonic Band conductor Christopher White by UMAA board chair Samantha Lott Hale. The Black Bear Award recognizes outstanding service to increase or enhance public awareness of the university in the areas of academics, athletics, arts and/or alumni.
The Symphonic Band is an auditioned group of 45 of UMaine’s best wind and percussion musicians. They perform concerts both on and off campus, including an annual spring tour through the state. They have performed in Symphony Hall in Boston and Merrill Hall in Portland.
The Concert Band, under the direction of Dana Ross, is a nonauditioned group of 45 students who perform a variety of concert band literature throughout the spring semester. They will perform works by David Shaffer, Henry Fillmore, David R. Holsinger and Clare Grundman.
New Media Night May 2
Friday, April 12th, 2013The 2013 New Media Night, the annual showcase of senior projects, will be 6–8 p.m. May 2 in the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center. Capstone projects will be on display, as well as demonstrations of the new facility’s cutting-edge audiovisual and 3-D fabrication facilities.
