Elevating Impactful Research: The University of Maine Presents the Second Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering
The Second Annual Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering is gearing up to be a visionary event, building on the success of its inaugural year. The University of Maine collaborates with partner organizations, including JAX, MDI Biological Laboratory, MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, University of New England, University of Southern Maine, and the Roux Institute. The Symposium aims to showcase extensive research in biomedical science and engineering throughout Maine, demonstrated through workshop sessions, student poster presentations, talks from featured keynote speakers, and other engaging activities.
Scheduled for October 25, 26, and 27, the event will cover various topics within the field. Building on the scope of the first Annual Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering, organizers have broadened the event to include the 18th Annual Geriatrics Colloquium and MERGE Collaborative. This integration emphasizes the importance of healthcare entities collaborating to address significant challenges within the field, such as equitable access to mental health services and increasing the number of residents in Maine.
In an interview with Tanya Pinkham, Assistant Director for Development and Administration, and Cecile Ferguson, Program Manager, both of the Institute of Medicine at the University of Maine, they shared insights, highlighting the pivotal role in coordinating the upcoming event. Pinkham emphasized, “Our commitment to advancing healthcare transcends disciplines, driving innovation and progress.” Ferguson echoed this sentiment: “At the Institute, we believe collaboration among researchers drives positive change. Our involvement in this event aligns seamlessly with our mission.” The UMaine Institute of Medicine’s mission is to develop transformative solutions that enhance the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine and beyond through innovative and coordinated research, education, and strategic partnerships, reflecting the purpose of the event as a driving force for collaboration and coordination in healthcare.
A significant focus of the event revolves around students and their growth and development as researchers and industry professionals. The event will highlight the research endeavors undertaken by students in collaboration with faculty, portraying the diverse activities of students from across the state. The event invites students to showcase their work, allowing them to garner industry attention, network with professionals, engage with faculty from other institutions, and establish contacts for potential job opportunities, research collaborations, and professional development.
The Symposium will foster collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange for researchers, faculty, and industry professionals. By emphasizing the work of students and faculty throughout the state, the event seeks to underscore the collective impact of Maine’s biomedical science and engineering research community.
The organizers envision the Symposium as a catalyst for impactful collaborations by bringing together different sectors of the biomedical field and contributing to continuous advancements in research. Ferguson states, “The big picture of the event is how this research community works together in Maine, whether they’re clinical facilities, educational institutions, or research labs.” Pinkham furthers the discussion by explaining, “The more we bring industry professionals, students, and faculty together, the better opportunity we have to apply for more national-level research grants.”
This year’s Symposium will run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, October 25, 26, 27, with each day offering events simultaneously at two locations. Track A will occur in Wells Conference Center, and events listed in Track B will occur in Collins Center for the Arts. Wednesday and Thursday poster sessions and receptions will be held in the Hudson Museum from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event features a Thursday evening banquet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., held in Wells Conference Center.
As the second annual Second Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering approaches, enthusiasm is building for the substantial knowledge, collaboration, and innovation it is positioned to deliver. This Symposium serves as a testament to Maine’s vibrant and dynamic biomedical science and engineering research community, showcasing the state’s capacity to propel meaningful advancements in the field. It not only signifies the eagerness within the community to share insights but also emphasizes the transformative potential of collective efforts in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering groundbreaking research developments. Participants eagerly anticipate the Symposium as an intersection for the exchange of cutting-edge ideas and the cultivation of relationships that have the power to shape the future landscape of biomedical research and engineering in the region.
Schedule of Events
The 18th Annual University of Maine Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium will concentrate on sexual health and aging. For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit this webpage.
The MERGE collaborative will host its inaugural Rural Graduate Medical Education on Friday, October 27, focusing on initiatives that bolster rural Maine’s healthcare workforce and infrastructure. For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit this webpage.
For up-to-date information on scheduled events, speakers, and additional information related to the event, please visit the UMaine Institute of Medicine website.
Questions & Contact Information
Questions on the symposium? Please contact Tanya Pinkham at tanya.pinkham@maine.edu.
Questions on the Geriatrics Colloquium? Please contact Lenard Kaye at len.kaye@maine.edu.
Questions on the MERGE Collaborative? Please contact David McLellan at david.mclellan@mainehealth.org.
Contact: research@maine.edu
Written by Karalyn Kutzer