RRF Student Awards

Connecting the dots: determining temporal mercury flux via aquatic insects to avian predators in Acadia National Park

PI: Nelson, Sarah (Forest Resources, UMaine) Sector: Marine Science Partners: US Geological Survey, National Park Service Abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed contaminant that biomagnifies through food webs and is highly toxic to fish, wildlife, and people, leading to fish consumption advisories in every US state. As a result of its widespread distribution, Hg is a serious concern […]

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Visible and infrared imaging spectroscopy for high resolution mapping and health assessment of Maine’s forest and agricultural resources

PI: Nelson, Peter (Biological and Environmental Sciences, UMaine) Sector: Forestry, Information Technology Partners: UMaine Abstract: Our goal is to integrate ground-based spectral scanning/chemical analysis and data mining of hyperspectral images into a pipeline for detection of specific, user-generated targets (e.g. specific plants, pathogens, stress signals, etc..) for Maine’s economically important natural resource sectors and elsewhere for competitive research applications. […]

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Value-addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) by developing food packaging materials and assessment on food safety – II

PI: Nayak, Balunkeswar (Food and Agriculture, UMaine) Sector: Forestry, Advanced Materials Partners: US Forest Service, Twin Rivers Paper Abstract: This application proposes funding request for research-based training of a RRF supported Doctoral student at UMaine. The student will continue engage in research and training in cross-disciplinary areas including food process engineering, cellulose nanocomposites and polymer science. The research component […]

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A Novel Robotic Glove for Hand Assistance of Older Adults in Activities of Daily Living

PI: Hejrati, Babak (Mechanical Engineering, UMaine) Sector: Biotechnology, Aging Partners: Eastern Maine Medical Center Abstract: One of the major hand functions necessary for performing activities of daily living (ADL) and having independence in life is object manipulation, which is defined as the ability to grasp, lift, and release an object. The ability to grasp and release can deteriorate due […]

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Evaluating LiDAR Tools for Large-area Enhanced Forest Inventory Applications in Maine

PI: Hayes, Daniel (Forest Resources, UMaine) Sector: Forestry, Computer Science Partners: UMaine Fort Kent Abstract: Maine’s economy depends heavily on its forest resource base: it accounts for over 6% of the total GDP and has an estimated total annual economic impact of $8-10 billion. The sound, scientifically-based management of the forest resource requires a significant investment in inventory programs. […]

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Impacts of climate change on the geographic range expansion of ticks and tick-borne disease in Maine

PI: Gardner, Allison (Biology and Ecology, UMaine) Sector: Ecology, Climate Change Partners: UMaine Abstract: The goal of our project is to investigate causal ecological and physiological mechanisms by which climate may alter human risk of exposure to tick-borne disease in Maine, and integrate these data with climate change projections for the State of Maine to develop predictive tick-borne disease […]

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Track III: Coastal Ecosystem Science for Maine’s Marine Economy & Coastal Communities

PI: Leslie, Heather (Darling Marine Center, UMaine) Sector: Marine Science Partners: UMaine Machias, University of Southern Maine Abstract: Coastal ecosystems are of great value. They provide food and clean water, protection from coastal storms, and also are home to some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, fueling seafood and tourism industries valued at more than $5B per […]

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High throughput predictive bioenergetics through statistical machine learning for big-data to assess biological responses to environmental stressors

PI: Jayasundara Nishad (Marine Science, UMaine) Sector: Biology, Data Science Partners: UMaine Abstract: The goal of this research is to build a team of undergraduates to integrate biological sciences with big-data statistical approaches to develop a commercializable statistical tool that can predictively compute the capacity of an organism to maintain energy homeostasis when exposed to toxicants and other stressors […]

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Maine Ag Data Monitoring App–Undergrad Interdisciplinary (Track 3)

PI: Blais, Joline (New Media, UMaine) Sector: Agriculture, Computer Science Partners: UMaine Presque Isle, SYRA Abstract: The goal of this project is to test hardware sensors for environmental monitoring in Maine year round agricultural systems including controls that integrate seamlessly with Maine farmer’s production needs. We are seeking funding for 3- 4 undergraduate students across disciplines through an Interdisciplinary […]

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Undergraduate Capstone: Genetics of Freshwater Snails of Northern Maine

PI: Roe, Judith (Biology, UMaine Presque Isle) Sector: Biology, Ecology Partners: Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Abstract: There are ~40 species of freshwater snails in Maine. These snails have been inventoried occasionally over the past 150 years, and Ken Hotopp of Appalachian Conservation Biology has spearheaded a project to determine the current distribution of species in the […]

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