Lillian Warwick: Finding success in opportunities close to coast

For Lillian Warwick, choosing the University of Maine at Machias meant she would get to continue to enjoy the coast near her home, form strong connections with peers and professors and pursue research opportunities that aligned with her career path. Warwick graduated from UMaine Machias in May with a degree in integrative biology with a pre-professional concentration. 

“At a smaller campus set in such a beautiful location, I felt like I was able to take part in most or all of the opportunities provided for students,” Warwick said, adding that UMaine Machias faculty and staff introduced her to opportunities, and she learned how to step outside of her comfort zone to identify new paths forward.

Originally from Cherokee, Iowa, she graduated high school when she was 17 and relocated to Jonesport with her family. While in high school, she had participated in dual enrollment classes, completing 18 college credits before graduation. Between her dual enrollment classes and competitive tuition rates at UMaine Machias, Warwick received higher education that was both affordable and valuable.

From 2023-24, Warwick worked as a lab assistant for William Otto, professor of chemistry. In her second semester at UMaine Machias, Otto encouraged Warwick to participate in the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Fellowship Program.

“I wasn’t sure about doing INBRE and being away from home so long for the first time, but Dr. Otto and Dr. [Sherrie] Sprangers encouraged me, and I ended up loving my time there,” Warwick said. “It provided me the opportunity to explore more of Maine, make new connections, narrow down my career options and grow as a person.”

During her INBRE fellowship, which was located at the University of Maine’s Orono campus, Warwick said she worked with zebrafish under the guidance of Clarissa Henry, UMaine professor of biological sciences. There she studied muscular dystrophy and mutations in certain proteins or pathways that can lead to the disease or worsen its symptoms.

“This program not only allows students to learn technical skills that can increase their employability, but it also helps them increase their skill in making evidence-based decisions and provides platforms for improving written and oral communication skills,” Henry said. 

The summer before the INBRE fellowship, leading into her junior year, Warwick completed an internship with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, where she assisted in mitigating damage to the salmon population by taking samples of salmon and water. It was her first glance into what it’s like to work an independent job 40 hours per week. 

“I had the opportunity to become more independent and mature through my time here,” Warwick said. “I was introduced to a number of opportunities by my professors and staff, but I also got to learn how I can provide those same chances for myself.” 

How would you describe the academic atmosphere at UMaine? 

Devoted. One thing I really appreciate was the smaller campus feel and the caring nature of UMaine Machias’s professors. Their willingness to answer questions, as well as reach out if they see you struggling and ask you what they can do to help with success. Professors worry more about the success of the student than statistics. I loved that we had different study areas in the Science Building and Torrey Hall, where there were other students to chat and study with. Internship opportunities, campus jobs and tutors were also available to me. 

How have research, internships or scholarly pursuits at UMaine Machias prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

I had the opportunity to participate in an internship with salmon at the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in the summer of 2023, where I assisted in mitigating damage to the salmon population by taking samples of the salmon and water. I was also involved in a project share for restoring rivers that had been straightened and widened for the logging industry. I had a lot of fun and it was hard work, but it was a benefit to see more of the marine biology side of science. This was my first independent job, where I drove myself to work four days a week for 10-hour shifts. I was able to meet people that I still talk to today.

In summer 2024, before beginning my senior year, I participated in the INBRE program located at UMaine’s Orono campus, where we worked with zebrafish under the guidance of Professor Clarissa Henry. 

The lab I worked in was studying muscular dystrophy and how mutations in certain genes can lead to the disease or worsen the symptoms. To be specific, the protein I got to learn about was Dpm3, one of three in the DPM synthase complex. In this complex, Dpm3 is a stabilizing unit for the other two proteins to the ER. These three proteins work together to help in the glycosylation of dystroglycan. Dystroglycan, along with other roles, helps to connect muscle cells to tendons. I am sure you can imagine the issues that occur when one of these proteins has a mutation or fails to function properly! I chose to apply to and accept this internship because it provided me the opportunity to explore more of Maine, make new connections, narrow down my career options and grow as a person. It was an extremely educational experience for me, not only in science but in myself! 

Beyond academics, what extracurricular activities occupied your time?

I really enjoyed participating in intramurals at UMaine Machias. I also joined a few organizations on campus like science club and outdoor club. I became a sister in the KAK sorority in my senior year, where I made wonderful friends and connections through Greek Life. 

Have you worked closely with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at UMaine better, and if so, how?

I gained experience working as a chemistry lab assistant from 2023-24 under the guidance of William Otto for both organic and general chemistry. He has been really helpful and was the professor who mentioned INBRE to me in my second semester at UMaine Machias. I wasn’t sure about doing INBRE and being away from home so long for the first time, but Dr. Otto and Dr. Sprangers encouraged me, and I ended up loving my time there and experiencing campus living for the first time!

Did you have an experience at UMaine Machias that shaped or changed how you see the world?

I had the opportunity to become more independent and mature through my time here. I was introduced to a number of opportunities by my professors and staff, but I also got to learn how I can provide those same chances for myself. Those happen by getting out to do things outside of my comfort zone, and it has shown me that I can create new paths. 

Describe UMaine Machias in one word and explain.

Diverse. 

This comes in the form of students, faculty and being part of the University of Maine System all over the state. Machias is a smaller campus but has so many different opportunities. With that being the case and having the campus set in such a beautiful location, I felt like I was able to take part in most or all of the opportunities provided for students.

What is on the horizon now that you have graduated? 

I have my MCATs scheduled, and I am going to take a gap year while I continue to work as a local pharmacy technician. I also have the chance to shadow at local physician offices.

Contact: Jacqueline Leonard; jacqueline.leonard@maine.edu