MERITS Scholar Program Celebrates Summer Research

This year’s high school MERITS Scholars celebrated their summer work in August at the 2023 MERITS Program Celebration Day. Hosted at the University of Maine’s Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center (IMRC), the 20 scholars presented their summer work conducted at research institutes, universities and colleges, and Maine companies.

Of the 20 scholars, several worked with UMaine faculty. Aelia Russell worked with Damian Brady, Agatha B. Darling Associate Professor of Oceanography, at the Darling Marine Center. Her work involved learning about oyster aquaculture and exploring solutions to issues facing the industry like biofouling. Colby Ting spent his summer in Orono working with Ali Abedi, Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR), and IMRC to develop a boot-to-ground sensor using Arduinos that could be used by astronauts wearing heavy equipment. 

Maine EPSCoR is appreciates the time and effort of the people and institutions who hosted these interns across the state. The MERITS Scholar Program is led by the Maine Space Grant Consortium with support from Maine EPSCoR. Congratulations to all students who participated in this year’s program.