Institute of Medicine affiliated faculty support undergraduate research

The University of Maine’s Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) has announced the 2024-25 academic year fellowship awardees. This year’s awards were supported by CUGR, Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Maine EPSCoR office (through an NSF award), EPIC program, and UMaine Space (through a Maine Space Grant Consortium [MSGC] award).

The CUGR Research and Creative Activities fellowships were developed to enhance and increase undergraduate student involvement in faculty-supervised research and are supported through the office of the Vice President for Research. Each fellowship provides $3,000 per student for costs associated with the project.

The 2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards help provide research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in aerospace technology, space science, human exploration and space development, Earth science and other science- or engineering-related fields. The focus of proposed projects funded by the fellowships must be aligned with the research priorities of NASA’s Earth and space science strategic enterprises. Selected projects will be awarded up to $3,000 each.

Among the awarded projects, 18 were led by Institute of Medicine affiliated faculty:

2024-25 Academic Year CUGR Research and Creative Activities Fellowship 

• Elaina Cote, Molecular and Cellular Biology, “Using Paralyzation Assays to Assess the Function of Periactive Zone Proteins at the Neuronal Synapse in C. elegans,” advised by Zhao Xuan
• Gabriella Giftos, Microbiology, “Examining the Role of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in JC Polyomavirus Infection of Primary Kidney Cells,” advised by Melissa Maginnis

2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Research Experience

• Michael Sabol, Electrical Engineering, “Memristor Creation and Characteristics,” advised by Rosemary Smith

2024-25 Academic Year EPIC Research and Creative Activities Fellowships

• Emily Benson, Communication Sciences and Disorders, “Social, Communication, and Quality of Life Outcomes in Adulthood after Childhood Brain Injury,” advised by Jessica Riccardi
• Ben Curtis, Biochemistry, “Validating a Novel Drug Screen and Candidate Drugs Against Influenza A Infection in Zebrafish,” advised by Benjamin King
• Shengxiang Gao, Psychology, “A Methodology Study Comparing Vasomotor Reactivity Values From 30 Second and 15 Second Breath Hold Challenge Using Transcranial Doppler,” advised by Fayeza Ahmed
• Anthony Mavilia, Psychology, “The Role of the MIND Diet in Mitigating Cognitive Decline: Exploring Dietary Influence on Cognitive Health Among Middle-Aged Adults in Maine,” advised by Fayeza Ahmed
• Myla Schneider, Biology, “The Evaluation of Paroxetine and Cetirizine Combination in JC Polyomavirus Infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis

2024-25 Academic Year NSF Research Fellowships

• Seth Ashby, Microbiology, “Determining Essential Genes Contributing to the Regulation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),” advised by Suzanne Angeli
• Hailey Blanchette, Communication Sciences and Disorders, “Understanding Maine’s Community Health Worker Workforce Needs & Perspectives,” advised by Jessica Riccardi and Katherine Darling
• Sydney Brown, Molecular and Cellular Biology, “Evaluation of cellular calcium flux in response to JC Polyomavirus infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis
• Skyler Caljkusich, Biology, “Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Young Adults: Insights from Self-Reported Activity and Cognitive Outcomes,” advised by Fayeza Ahmed
• Sophie Dean, Communication Sciences and Disorders, “Refinement and Pilot of an App-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment of Fatigue in Children with a History of Brain Injury,” advised by Jessica Riccardi
• Abigail Huchel, Kinesiology and Physical Education, “Why do Some People Exercise and Some Don’t? Understanding Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity,” advised by Rebecca MacAulay
• Benjamin Hunt, Biology, “An Investigation of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms Associated with cat-4 Gene Mutations via their Impact on Clarinet (CLA-1) Localization,” advised by Zhao Xuan
• Griffin Lawrence, Microbiology, “An Investigation of Group B Streptococcus and Candida albicans Growth In Biological Nutrients,” advised by Melody Neely
• Jasper Makowski, Microbiology, “Characterization of the role of L-type calcium channels in BK Polyomavirus infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis
• Melisa Matonsi, Biochemistry, “Identifying Key Genes for the Prolongation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),” advised by Suzanne Angeli

The full list of awardees is available on the CUGR website.