By Caty DuDevoir, Media Intern Across the NSF EPSCoR Track-1 Maine-eDNA grant, researchers are partnering with local communities and organizations to maintain dialogue and expand conservation in Maine’s waters. Located close to the University of Maine Orono campus, the Penobscot River, New England’s second largest river system, provides Maine-eDNA researchers studying freshwater systems or species […]
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Undergraduate Student Employees Environmental DNA (eDNA) Maine-eDNA Full-time, starting May 2023 Overview: The Maine-eDNA program is seeking undergraduate students to join our team, a state-wide, multi-institutional initiative establishing Maine as a national leader in environmental monitoring, ecological understanding, and sustainability of coastal ecosystems (https://umaine.edu/edna/). Students will have the opportunity to participate through internship experiences in a […]
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By Ilaria Bardini Writing Intern, A vital aspect of the NSF EPSCoR Track-1 Maine-eDNA grant is the multidimensional collaboration across skill sets. One of the ways to assure continued, cross-generational interest in the world of STEM and the progression of environmental DNA (eDNA) research is through science-based programs and educational opportunities for youth. The development […]
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By Ilaria Bardini Writing Intern, Along the rocky intertidal zones of New England, blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), a native species of filter feeding bivalves, cling onto rocks, piers, and other structures. Although seemingly mundane and relatively sedentary in nature, these molluscs are essential to biodiversity, commercial aquaculture, and serve as habitats for a myriad of […]
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By Caty DuDevoir Data is the core of any scientific project. Proper data management practices and documentation are imperative to allow for the standardization and comparison of results. This is especially important on large projects, like the NSF EPSCoR Track-1 Maine-eDNA grant, which rely on the collaboration of dozens of researchers. Maine-eDNA recently completed its […]
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By Caty DuDevoir The Wabanaki Youth in Science Program (WaYS) intertwines Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge with western science to help give Indigenous youth tools that can better help them understand environmental stewardship. WaYS offers an annual summer camp and opportunities for students to continue exploring their research interests with graduate students throughout the University […]
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By Stefania Irene Marthakis In August of 2022, Sonia Naderi, who worked alongside Dr. Ali Abedi (Associate Vice President for Research and the Director of Center for Undergraduate Research), completed her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maine, with a thesis on Low Cost and Reliable Wireless Sensor Networks for Environmental […]
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By Stefania Irene Marthakis This fall, Amy Sidell began her 7th year as a biology teacher at Hampden Academy in Maine—specifically four levels of Biology: remedial, college prep, honors, and AP. Sidell has also been the advisor for Envirothon for the past 11 years. Envirothon is a national high school competition that focuses on solving […]
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By Daniel Timmermann Education, outreach, and diversity is one of the central aspects of any NSF EPSCoR project. Maine EPSCoR recently brought on Beth Campbell as the office’s Education, Outreach, and Diversity Project Manager (EOD). Campbell explained, “As EOD, my job is to connect the research being done on the grant to schools and the […]
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By Caty DuDevoir, Media Intern As environmental DNA (eDNA) becomes a more prevalent research tool, understanding where the most effective applications for it are and how it can help in the management of Maine’s working waterfront is essential. Likewise, as Maine’s aquaculture industry continues to expand, reflecting on how the aquaculture and wild species industries […]
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