April 2025 – Maginnis Lab Alumni Lara Kirkby Named Outstanding Graduating International Student
After rocking the UMaine Women’s Soccer Team and numerous experiments at the lab, our favorite Aussie and former social media manager is currently playing soccer professionally on the Adelaide United team. Congratulations Lara!
April 2025 – Dr. Maginnis is a 2025 Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient!
Congratulations Dr. Maginnis! Dr. Maginnis has also been recognized with the 2024 Graduate Faculty Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Government, the 2024 Mel McClure Global Community Impact Award from the Office of International Programs, the 2022 Faculty Mentor Impact Award from the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the 2018 Graduate Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Government.
October 2024 – Two Winning Teams – Creating STEM Career Pathways for D1 Athletes
The Maginnis Lab has many current members and alumni involved with the UMaine Women’s Soccer Team! Check out the interview on the Maginnis Lab’s soccer stars!
November 2024 – Maginnis Lab Undergraduates Receive CUGR Fellowships
Congratulations to Gabriella Giftos, Sydney Brown, Myla Schneider, and Jasper Makowski for receiving fellowships! Gabby received a CUGR Research and Creative Activities Fellowship for her project, “Examining the Role of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in JC Polyomavirus Infection of Primary Kidney Cells”. Myla was awarded a EPIC Research and Creative Activities Fellowship for her study, “The Evaluation of Paroxetine and Cetirizine Combination in JC Polyomavirus Infection”. Sydney was awarded a NSF Research Fellowship for her work, “Evaluation of Cellular Calcium Flux in Response to JC Polyomavirus Infection”. Jasper received a NSF Research Fellowship for his project, “Characterization of the Role of L-Type Calcium Channels in BK Polyomavirus Infection”.
Spring 2024 – Amanda Sandberg Graduates with Master’s in Microbiology!
Congratulations Amanda! After completing her undergraduate degree with a major in biochemistry with a concentration in pre-med and a minor in molecular and cellular biology, Amanda has now graduated with her Master’s degree as well! She is now off to earn her M.D./Ph.D. at VCU!
Spring 2024 – Avery Bond Receives Doctorate in Microbiology!
Congratulations Avery! Avery has also received the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Research in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Award, won 2nd place in the 2023 BioME Showcase, was awarded the 2023 George Chase Distinguished Research Assistantship, and best graduate presentation at the 2021 UMaine Student Symposium!
Spring 2023 – Aiden Pike Named 2023 Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of NSFA!
Congratulations Aiden! Aiden was also awarded Best Undergraduate Presentation in Biomedical Sciences at the 2023 UMaine Student Symposium!
Spring 2022 – Masters Student Amanda Sandberg Named 2022 Outstanding International Student in the College of NSFA!
Congratulations Amanda!
February 2022 – Maginnis Lab Awarded NIH Grant to Further JC Polyomavirus (JCPyV) Research
We are honored to have been awarded this grant to continue our research! In collaboration with Dr. Samuel Hess, a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy, we will continue to dive into and deepen our understanding of the JCPyV infectious pathway.
February 2022 – Dr. Maginnis and Ph.D. Student Avery Bond Comment on UMaine’s R1 Designation
Dr. Maginnis and Bond spoke at a full press conference with News Center Maine on UMaine’s R1 designation. Dr. Maginnis also commented on UMaine as a R1 university for UMaine News.
June 2021 – Ph.D. Students Avery Bond and Michael Wilczek Win BioME Fast Pitch Competition
Congratulations Avery and Michael on winning first and third place!
April 2021 – Edith M. Patch Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award and Outstanding Service Award Presented to Michael Wilczek
Congratulations Michael!
September 2020 – Maginnis Lab Undergraduate Alumni Mason Crocker Enters Medical School at Tufts University!
After completing his capstone and co-authoring a paper in the Maginnis Lab, Mason went on to earn his Master’s in April of 2020. We wish him endless success as he continues his journey at Tufts!
March 2019 – Maginnis Lab Awarded NIH Research Enhancement Award Program Grant
The Maginnis Lab is thrilled to have received this funding, and is eager to continue to provide key training and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in furthering crucial aspects of JC Polyomavirus research
