Student profiles

Olivia Reese: Media studies major examining influence of social media

Junior Olivia Reese of Pittsford, New York is one of the second wave of Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center Undergraduate Fellows at the University of Maine. The media studies major says she is passionate about her chosen field for many reasons. “Media studies touches on anything projected out to a mass audience. It’s about […]

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Drew Brooks: Microbiology, music double major named 2019 valedictorian

Drew Brooks of Lyman, Maine is the 2019 University of Maine valedictorian. He is a double major in microbiology and music, with a minor in molecular biology. He will receive two bachelor’s degrees — one in microbiology, and one in music. Brooks’ many academic honors include multiple scholarships and Frederick Radke Undergraduate Research Fellowships. A […]

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Ana Eliza Souza Cunha: Biology major named 2019 salutatorian

Ana Eliza Souza Cunha of Orono is the 2019 University of Maine salutatorian and the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. She is a biology major with minors in neuroscience and psychology, and a concentration in pre-medical studies. Souza Cunha’s numerous honors include the 2018 Dr. Susan J. Hunter […]

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Jordan Gardner: Global Perspective for Humanities Explorations Fund award winner learning through travel

Jordan Gardner, of Farmingdale, Maine, caught the travel bug during the spring 2018 semester when he journeyed to Cusco, Peru. Through the ISA (International Studies Abroad) Cusco: Language, Literature, and Culture program, Gardner studied archeology, cultural anthropology and the history of the Incas at the ISA Study Center through a partnership with Universidad de Salamanca. […]

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Josephine Roussell: Ocean steward helps develop oyster sorter

Editor’s note: Story updated June 3. There are lots of oysters on Josephine Roussell’s plate. A few literally, and many more figuratively. The 2018 University of Maine graduate is a research technician on a team designing a sorter for small-scale oyster growers. Aquaculture already provides more than 50 percent of seafood worldwide, according to the […]

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Abby Irvine: Social work major passionate about helping others

People undergoing treatment for narcotic abuse at Northern Light Acadia Hospital received blankets and self-care items from staff on Christmas Day. Each present came with a handwritten card from Abby Irvine that contained one of 83 positive affirmations: “I am worthy of love and respect.” “I am proud of what I accomplish every day.” “Small […]

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Jonathan Bomar: Graduate student puts his heart into cardiac research

Jonathan Bomar joined the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering in 2014 after earning undergraduate degrees in geological sciences and psychology at Michigan State University. His current research examines how stem cells become heart muscle. The goal of his dissertation is to engineer therapeutic heart tissue in a lab. He envisions […]

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