News – Maine EPSCoR

Understanding river herring migration and diet in Maine’s rivers

Over the past two centuries, river herring (alewife and blueback herring) experienced a decline in their populations due to the construction of dams blocking migration paths. However, the recent removal of dams and construction of fishways and other infrastructure has led to the start of their recovery. As part of the NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 […]

woman in blue life vest and light blue jacket records readings off side of a boat in the water on a cloudy day

Understanding invasive species’ incursions into the Gulf of Maine

By Ryan Abedi and Lauren Crofton-Macdonald, As the Gulf of Maine warms, new species, invasive and not, are moving in. The delimitation between invasive and noninvasive species can be difficult to discern. At a simple level, it can be the level of human involvement in the species movement. For example, the European green crab made […]

Photo of kelp forest underwater. Very green

From forests to fields: the transition from kelp to turf amidst climate change in the Gulf of Maine

By Camryn Sudimick While not as expansive as the renowned kelp forests of California and other parts of the world, the Gulf of Maine (GoM) is also home to a diverse kelp forest ecosystem on its rocky reefs. These out-of-sight underwater forests are known to foster biodiversity, providing vital resources and habitats for various marine […]

woman with blonde hair wearing a life vest takes environmental measurements off of a boat.

Investigating marine biology and developing as a researcher through environmental DNA

By Camryn Sudimick In the vast expanse of the Earth’s ocean, our planet’s largest ecosystem, lie countless mysteries that have yet to be explored. Dedicated to uncovering such mysteries is Jamie Fogg, a sophomore studying Marine Science at the University of Maine. Fogg began exploring marine biology during high school when she was involved in […]

Three indivisuals in diving suits sit together on the water.

Maine’s kelp forests and the impact of environmental change

By, Camryn Sudimick, Maine EPSCoR Writing Intern The Gulf of Maine (GoM) is warming rapidly, and ecosystems contained within, including Maine’s rocky reefs, are undergoing significant changes. The kelp forest habitats along Maine’s coast are transitioning to red algae turf reefs. These kelp forests stand from one to a few meters tall that fish and […]

White Shark Migration and Taking Part in the Research Process with Patrick Tardie

By Camryn Sudimick, Writing Intern White sharks are one of the most iconic species in the sea. While they have gained a fearsome reputation, researchers like Patrick Tardie, a Maine-eDNA undergraduate intern, argue they should instead be recognized for their vital role as apex predators in marine ecosystems. While white shark populations faced a decline […]

Introducing Undergraduates to Interdisciplinary Research Through Cross-State Collaboration

By Evan Bartow, Writing Intern Focused on gathering, analyzing, and utilizing data collected from the Northern Forest Region, the NSF EPSCoR Track-2 INSPIRES project invested heavily in the creation of new environmental sensors. The development of these sensors is led by the WiSe-Net Lab under the direction of Ali Abedi, Associate Vice President for Research […]

Man with braided hair stares off to the left.

Building STEM Knowledge and Confidence Through Traditional Ecological Knowledge

By Caty DuDevoir Maine EPSCoR partner Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS) is committed to providing Indigenous youth and communities with hands-on learning opportunities about Indigenous Knowledge and western scientific methods. Fusing western science practices with Indigenous Knowledge allows Wabanaki communities to reclaim spaces in the scientific community. Jason Brough, a Ph.D. student in Anthropology and […]

student in lab coat and mask organizes samples on lab bench.

Incorporating eDNA Curricula in Undergraduate Education Across Maine

By Ilaria Bardini, Writing Intern The many applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in research and conservation has inspired educators to find ways to implement such topics into their various curricula. As an emerging appliance, eDNA can allow researchers and stakeholders to track population fluctuations of keystone species in order better understand the impacts of climate […]

Map showing the overlay of approximate location of Wabanaki Nation Tribes over current US and Canada Borders

Implementing Biocultural Markers in Research Data Practices

By Caty DuDevoir, Writing Intern In any scientific and humanistic discipline, ethical collection of samples is a vital step in the research process. With a field like environmental DNA (eDNA), researchers sample soil, water, and organisms from the physical environments. The knowledge derived from them is collected on the land of Indigenous tribal nations, which […]