Three UMaine Faculty Honored for Research Contributions
Contact: John Mahon, (207) 581-1516; George Manlove (207) 581-3756
ORONO — Three University of Maine faculty members are among 10 professors honored recently by the University of Maine System Chancellor’s Office for their research contributions in fields that advance Maine’s scientific, agricultural and economic development.
UMaine Cooperative Extension Professor Richard J. Kersbergen, UMaine psychology Professor Alan M. Rosenwasser and electrical and computer engineering Professor John F. Vetelino received University of Maine System Trustee Professorships in December. Trustee Professorships were created by university trustees in 1998 to honor and support outstanding university faculty from the seven system campuses.
They recognize individuals who have made significant and noteworthy contributions to academic excellence on their campuses and within the system. The professorships are for one year.
“These awards reflect the rich diversity of research, teaching and outreach at the University of Maine and have clear, demonstrable impacts on the citizenry of Maine,” says John Mahon, UMaine’s interim provost. “Research by these professors in the study of alcoholism, organic milk production and in sensors at the nanoscale level, are most appropriate at this time.”
Rosenwasser’s research interests include exploring novel approaches to alcoholism research, which is expected to extend his current National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism research and develop a larger grant proposal through the acceleration of his existing efforts. He also will create a research team that cuts across international borders by aligning work with The Jackson Laboratory in Maine and the NeuroSearch A/S in Denmark. Additionally, he anticipates building an interdisciplinary research and teaching program in neuroscience.
“All of these efforts support extend and enhance our research and teaching missions and directly serve the residents of Maine,” Mahon says.
A Hampden resident, Rosenwasser join the UMaine faculty in 1986.
The focus of Kersbergen’s research will be on forage and pasture production in Maine and throughout New England, specifically with regard to organic crops.
Organic and forage-based milk production is the fastest growing agricultural sector in the Northeast, and Kersbergen’s efforts will enable small dairy farmers to assess the impact of switching to organic production of milk and contribute to sustainable agriculture in the state.
“Dairy production is an important sector in the state of Maine,” observes Mahon, “and his efforts will support, extend and enhance our research and community outreach missions and directly serve the residents of Maine.”
Kersbergen, of Burnham, joined the faculty in 1985.
Vetelino, who is active in solid state, microwave acoustics and sensor research, is being recognized for his work using transduction schemes to perform research relating to sensing at the nanoscale level. His efforts will continue to serve as the basis for research proposals with the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and others.
The analytes that will be sensed include physical, chemical and biological analytes, which have direct application to agriculture, medicine environment and homeland security. Vetelino previously has helped area high school students with sensor experiments, using sensors to detect gases that can indicate, among other things, ripeness of fruit.
“This research would be a new area for Dr. Vetelino, and will support, extend and enhance our research and teaching missions at UMaine and directly serve the residents of Maine,” Mahon says.
A resident of Veazie, Vetelino came to UMaine in 1969.