RRF Student Awards

2018 IURC Awardees

  Coastal ecosystem science for Maine’s marine economy and coastal communities Principal Investigator: Heather Leslie, Darling Marine Center Partners: University of Maine at Machias, University of Southern Maine Sector: Marine Sciences Coastal ecosystems are of great value. They provide food and clean water, protection from coastal storms, and also are home to some of the […]

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Interdisciplinary Research for Decision Making about Dams in Maine

PI: McGreavy, Bridie (Communication and Journalism, UMaine) Sector: Energy, Communications Partners: UMaine Abstract: The goal of our project is to advance research that analyzes stakeholder needs for information, perceptions about dams, and news media coverage to support decision making about dams in Maine and New England. We will complete the following objectives to reach this goal: (1) expand collaborative […]

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Leveraging machine learning and high-performance computing to deliver the spatial data needed by Maine's forest industry

PI: Legaard, Kasey (Forest Resources, UMaine) Sector: Computer Science, Forestry Partners: UMS Advanced Computing Group Abstract: Forest managers in Maine cite a lack of spatial information about forest resources (both timber and non-timber) as a key barrier to the planning and prioritization of management actions. Available commercial products are typically priced at levels that are viewed as too expensive […]

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Haptic Feedback Sensor Suite for AR-Enhanced Medical Simulators

PI: Howell, Caitlin (Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, UMaine) Sector: Biotechnology Partners: Zephyrus Simulations, LLC Abstract: Simulation has become a useful tool in medical training, allowing students to realistically interact with a simulated patient in a safe, controlled environment. A significant component of simulation-based training is the opportunity for students to dynamically interact and communicate with a simulated patient, so […]

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Beyond the Tides: An Environmental Augmented Reality Game

PI: Gordon-Messer, Susannah (CI2Lab, University of Southern Maine) Sector: Climate Change, Computer Science Partners: N/A Abstract: Beyond the Tides is a student developed, location based, augmented reality (AR) game that educates Mainers on effects of climate change on oceans including rising sea levels, rising temperatures and increased ocean acidification. In a chose-your-own adventure style game, players take on different […]

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Responsive Reading: Improving Reading in Adolescents and Adults, Track 2

PI: Flanagan, Sara (Education and Human Development, UMaine) Sector: Education, Computer Science Partners: UMaine Abstract: Secondary students with or without a disability may lack the needed reading skills to exit high school prepared for competitive employment and daily living (e.g., paying bills, reading directions). The National Assessment of Education Progress suggests that approximately 28% of 8th graders in Maine […]

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Querying the Past Student Research Assistantship

PI: Chapkis, Wendy (Women and Gender Studies and Sociology, University of Southern Maine) Sector: Northeast Humanities, New Media Partners: All Art Media Abstract: The purpose of this project, “Querying the Past: Maine LGBTQ History,” is to preserve and make available the often-hidden history of LGBTQ Maine. The project involves the use of a variety of media including digital applications. […]

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Field Trials to Examine Growth and Survival of a New Bivalve Culture Candidate in Maine: Razor clams, Ensis leei

PI: Beal, Brian (Marine Sciences, UMaine Machias) Sector: Aquaculture Partners: Downeast Institute, Darling Marine Center Abstract: Thanks to funding over the past two years from the Maine Technology Foundation and Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, razor clams, Ensis leei, have become a new culture candidate in Maine. Work at UMM’s Marine Science Field Station at the Downeast Institute (DEI) has […]

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Muscular Dystrophy Genomics Research Collaborative

PI: King, Benjamin (Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, UMaine) Sector: Healthcare, Genomics Partners: UMaine Abstract: Muscular dystrophy is a large group of debilitative diseases that result in weakened skeletal muscle and affect approximately 250,000 individuals in the US. Our interdisciplinary research collaborative seeks to discover the molecular mechanisms dysregulated in one form of muscular dystrophy by applying developmental biology, genomics […]

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Sustainable management of commercial forests for wood products and a globally threatened bird species

PI: Roth, Amber (Forest Resources, UMaine) Sector: Ecology, Forestry Partners: UMaine Presque Isle, UMaine Fort Kent, Irving, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Abstract: The Rusty Blackbird is a species of special concern in Maine and is globally threatened, having declined by more than 85% since the 1970s. Rusty Blackbirds nest in stunted or regenerating spruce-fir (softwood) stands in […]

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