Mo Drammeh: Published author explores advocacy through story

For Mo, storytelling isn’t just about fiction — it’s about shaping the way people see the world. 

A sophomore in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences and Honors College at the University of Maine, Mo has built a unique path that blends scientific research and creative writing, using both as tools for advocacy.

While attending Bangor High School, Drammeh wrote their first novel, “Where the Cryptids Fled” through The Telling Room’s Young Emerging Authors Fellowship, a year-long afterschool program that provides young writers with mentorship and support to develop, revise and publish a full-length work. Their book critiques how the news portrays marginalized groups. While the book has multiple themes, its central focus is on exposing and analyzing the ways media representation can shape public perception in biased or misleading ways.

In 2022, they entered their book into a writing contest for the Crime Flash Competition. Much to their surprise, Drammeh won the contest, leading to them being invited to participate in the Telling Room’s Young Emerging Authors program, which ultimately resulted in the publication of their book.

“I was absolutely bewildered that it happened,” Drammeh said. “But I think it really cemented in my mind that this is something I am good at and something I can actually pursue to a meaningful end.”

Drammeh is currently working on a few other writing projects while also studying and conducting research at UMaine. Drammeh is researching isotope hydrology, and their work involves looking at the isotopes of water and using them as proxies for various climatological processes, such as precipitation and temperature. Last year, they worked on a similar project comparing isotopic values with instances of extreme precipitation.

Drammeh’s passion for environmental research ignited from the STEM program at Bangor High School, where they were introduced to climate science. During their time there, they participated in the Maine State Science Fair and won a full tuition scholarship to UMaine, where they decided to pursue their interest in climate science. 

In addition to their writing, Drammeh is a peer mentor for the Honors College, allowing them to meet and work with some extraordinary students. 

“They have really motivated me to try harder and make sure to live up to my own expectations,” Drammeh said.

With their aspirations to continue graduate studies in environmental studies, Drammeh is determined to advance their career in the field of climate science. However, they are not closed off to the fact that they could write full-time, if their writing career becomes a success. 

Whatever route they take, one thing is clear — Mo will keep using their voice, in the form of data or conversation, to change the way people look at the world.

Story by Christina Wallace, news intern. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu