A new video promoting the Center for Undergraduate Research features students awarded Summer Fellowships and MSGC Research Experiences. The students including Morgan Oehler, Rose Thayer, Sara Loiselle, Aldous Hofmann, and Basel White worked throughout the summer in labs and in the field around campus. The video was supported by the Office of the Vice President […]
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Over the past two years, the Experiential Program Innovation Central (EPIC) committee has developed guiding principles for collaboration among a group of centers and partnered with the Division of Lifelong Learning (DLL) to implement innovative programming across majors. The result has been the creation of the first Certificate in Research Innovation and Strategy (CRIS) with […]
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UMaine researchers contributed to a March 2020 article that studies the effects of chemicals found in drinking water – and how the combination of certain chemicals could be the cause of a mysterious, chronic kidney disease impacting millions of people around the world. Assistant Professor of Environmental Physiology, Nishad Jayasundara, and doctoral candidate Remy Babich, […]
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The University of Maine Graduate School reports its highest enrollment numbers since 2010. In 2020, the total number of graduate students enrolled is 2,276 with a doctoral headcount of 517 – the first time doctoral enrollment has ever exceeded 500, and tops the previous high mark of 463 in 2012. “Graduate students contribute significantly to […]
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Program announcements for the UMaine Faculty Research Funds (FRF) and the University of Maine System Research Reinvestment Fund (RRF) have been released and can now be viewed in the InfoReady grant review portal. A listing of available programs and associated due dates are listed below. Please review the program announcements located within InfoReady for more […]
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Dr. Ali Abedi has been promoted from Assistant to Associate Vice President for Research in recognition of his accomplishments in the advancement of research at the University of Maine, and its impact on Maine and beyond. His accomplishments include the continued growth of the Center for Undergraduate Research, development of the UMaine AI webinar series, […]
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Recently, it was announced that the University of Maine has set a new record in funding generated in support of research and development activities. Today, the final numbers have been determined, indicating that $125.2 million in R&D funding has been generated in fiscal year 2020. This corresponds to a 120% increase over the past four […]
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All University of Maine members are invited to attend an informational Research Q&A session to be held live via Zoom on September 21. The virtual event will present updates and resources for the research community and an opportunity for Q&A with the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. To submit research-related […]
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Dr. Susan L. Smith assumed the duties of director of the MA and MFA programs in intermedia effective September 1, 2020. Susan takes over leadership of the program from Dr. Owen Smith, the founding director of the intermedia program, which began admitting graduate students in 2008. Susan has a long record of involvement with the […]
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The University of Maine sets a new record, by generating $104.2 million in research grants and awards in fiscal year 2020. This is an all-time high level of externally-generated research funding realized by the university. It corresponds to an 80 percent increase in external research funding over the past three years. This extraordinary increase stems […]
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During this COVID-19 pandemic, the world feels small and interconnected – and at the same time – large and overwhelming. As the global health and economic crises are impacting all of us and causing many to suffer, we can turn to our research community for answers and solutions. At the University of Maine, while adapting […]
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Dr. Melissa Maginnis has been appointed as Associate Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) effective July 1st, 2020. “Dr. Maginnis is one of our most active and engaged faculty mentors, with demonstrated high quality research as evidenced by the number of highly competitive awards won by her students”, said Assistant Vice President Abedi, […]
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Caleigh Charlebois combined her love of music and research while studying the diversity of repetitive DNA in mice at The Jackson Laboratory in the summer of 2019. Charlebois, a third-year University of Maine zoology student with a minor in professional writing, examined the genomes of 59 mice. With a focus on diversity, she tested a […]
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For over 10 years and counting, the Center for Advanced Forestry Systems (CAFS), a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center, has successfully provided the critical structure and resources needed for nationally relevant scientific collaboration in the various and emerging areas of applied forest science pertinent to the forest industry in the US. CAFS […]
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The University of Maine Advanced Research Computing (ARC), established in May 2019, is dedicated to supporting the high performance computing (HPC) needs of the university research community, and is associated with the Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE). Maisha Asha has joined the ARC team in the role of Project Manager, to support the high performance computing needs of […]
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I am delighted to welcome Dr. Sharmila Mukhopadhyay to the University of Maine. She is the new Director of the Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies (FIRST). She has started in this role on January 1, 2020, after a nationwide search. Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s vision completely aligns with the University vision to grow FIRST into […]
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Gabrielle Hillyer, a Master’s student in oceanography and marine policy, is putting her marine science education into practice by researching water quality issues within the Gulf of Maine in the hopes to improve the solvency of the soft-shell clamming industry. Hillyer studies the impact of bacteria in mudflats on the Medomak River in Waldoboro, Maine […]
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Undergraduates in premedical studies have a wide variety of opportunities to connect with others and perform cutting-edge research at the University of Maine. Many majors offer premed concentrations and multiple clubs connect students with the medical industry in Maine and beyond. Katie Tims, from Cornish, chose to attend UMaine because of the large breadth of […]
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The Advanced Structures and Composites Center celebrates historic event: Unveiling the world’s largest 3D printer and 3D printed boat “This is a big deal,” said Sen. Angus King at the Oct. 10 unveiling of the world’s largest 3D printer at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (UMaine Composites Center). Big, indeed. In […]
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A unique traineeship program designed to produce interdisciplinary environmental conservation leaders now offers Master’s and Ph.D. degree opportunities to address the challenges presented by global and local changes in environmental, social, economic and climatic conditions. The National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program has awarded the University of Maine “NRT: Enhancing Conservation Science and Practice” […]
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A collaborative program between the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Maine and aquaculture industry partners supported 13 undergraduate interns in a wide range of hands-on research and work experiences this summer. Aquaculture research covers broad topic areas, such as fish health, product development, impacts of ocean acidification, species husbandry and science communication […]
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Christine Beitl studied the management system of a fishery in a rural coastal community, Isla Costa Rica, in Ecuador as a doctoral student in 2009-10. A new collaborative, cross-cultural study prompted her return to the small town this summer – 10 years later. The three-year NSF ENDOW (Economic Network Dynamics and the Origins of Wealth) […]
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Some people consider themselves to be a numbers person, more than a creative type. Others feel drawn to the artistic side of life more than the analytical. Since the 1960s, when Nobel-prize winning research painted a picture of a human brain split straight down the middle – it is believed that humans are either right […]
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A multi-disciplinary team of 16 University of Maine System researchers and faculty traveled to southwest Greenland June 21-29 to address 21st century challenges throughout the Arctic, North Atlantic and Maine by experiencing the impacted region first-hand. “Just reading about complex issues is not enough to fully grasp and attempt to develop solutions to the challenges […]
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Addressing the opioid epidemic in the United States requires expanding access to treatment and work to prevent the more than 130 deaths each day from opioid-related drug overdoses nationwide. Maine’s rate of fatal overdoses due to opioids – the class of drugs that include heroin and morphine as well as fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone – […]
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Children are born with an innate interest in engineering. As they play, they learn how to stack blocks higher into new shapes or structures, or construct race tracks to give their toy cars enough speed to fly through plastic loops. Children enjoy innovating and problem solving, but how can that interest be fostered in the […]
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The advancement of sustainable aquaculture (the farming of aquatic species while allowing continued benefit for the next generation) requires innovative research and multi-disciplinary collaborations for success. The University of Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) is celebrating 10 years of service to the State of Maine as a research resource and an objective authority on aquaculture. […]
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Maine’s idyllic landscape, rugged coastline and abundance of wildlife attract visitors each year to its natural parks. However, experts predict an increase in the number of ticks infected with Lyme disease due to climate change – which threatens to expose more people to the disease and cause some visitors to opt for alternative destinations. Which […]
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Six Maine Business School students interned this summer at Hannaford Bros. in Scarborough as part of an innovative program designed to address the needs of the state’s economic community and the needs of scholars. The Corporate Classroom is an internship program supported by the Professional Development Center (PDC), which provides consulting services, professional development education […]
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On July 25, 2019 the Advanced Manufacturing Center in Orono held a kickoff celebration for the opening of the Center for Additive Manufacturing of Metals (CAMM). Learn more about the center and what it offers in this UMaine News article and accompanying video. Center offering additive metal manufacturing services, training to Maine businesses
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Dr. George Bernhardt of the CORE Microfabrication Cleanroom showcases cutting-edge sensor research and technologies being developed by UMaine researchers and students. The CORE Cleanroom provides unique, hands-on training opportunities for students entering careers in STEM fields. FIRST Cleanroom Video Transcript Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE) A tour of UMaine’s CORE Microfabrication Cleanroom FIRST Lab – […]
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University of Maine System Chancellor James Page and President Joan Ferrini-Mundy discuss how UMaine research and development have evolved during his seven-year tenure. The Chancellor, who will retire June 30, and the President share their perspectives on the impact of research and development on the future of the University of Maine, the state, and beyond. […]
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Nestled on the Peruvian coast, the Ostra Collecting Station (OCS) is part of a complex of archeological sites that provide an amazing glimpse into the lives of the people who lived there approximately 6,000 years ago. OCS is cradled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range. Odd shells and fish […]
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Interdisciplinary multi-institution research collaboration, stakeholder engagement through Western Passage project The Western Passage – located between Eastport, Maine and Canada – is a highly turbulent, biologically active, and socially relevant ecosystem in Eastern Maine considered one of the best locations for tidal power nationwide. Kristina Cammen, assistant professor of marine mammal science, works alongside a […]
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Mathematical tools used to create items such as vacuums, cars and skyscrapers, make the design process streamlined, less expensive and safer. However, with advances in modern science increasingly pushing boundaries, these tools need to be adapted in order to keep up – and avoid potentially costly mistakes. The finite element method is a commonly used […]
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The UMaine Research Information Management team is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Reporting Dashboard – a self-service resource giving the UMaine community access to commonly requested research activity data, including proposal submissions and awards received. Users will sign in to the dashboard using their UMaine single sign-on username and password. They can […]
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I am pleased to announce that Amanda Ashe has been named the Director of Research Compliance starting July 1st. In this role she will be overseeing the operational aspects of the Office of Research Compliance. Amanda has worked at the University of Maine for the past 11 years, starting out in the then Office of […]
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Seaweed food products are trending – but do consumers know what they are buying? Search “eating seaweed” on Google and you’ll get pages of headlines promoting health benefits of consuming the ocean-dwelling algae. “Packed full of vitamins!” “Low in fat and full of fiber!” “Seaweed is a superfood!” In its raw state, seaweed does, in […]
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Alumni Spotlight: Brianna Hughes “How much can you really do with a cranberry?” University of Maine alumna Brianna Hughes answers this question every day as an Innovation R&D Manager for Ocean Spray Cranberries. Finding ways to develop new products from cranberries could be daunting – but it’s a fun challenge for Hughes, who earned her […]
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Maine Impact Week celebrated the depth and breadth of University of Maine research and creative work with multiple events held April 8 – 13, 2019. Two of the featured events, the UMaine Student Symposium (UMSS) and the Marine Science Research and Education Open House, invited the community to interact with students and faculty as they […]
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Graduate Student Spotlight: Gabrielle Hillyer, Diana Davis Spencer Scholar Gabrielle Hillyer is a duel-degree major in oceanography and marine policy. With support from the UMS Research Reinvestment Fund she has focused her research on the Medomak river estuary and its multiple impacts on local clamming. Her innovative research aims to understand the ability of the […]
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Judy Walker travels to a lot of places during a typical day: several spots in Maine, Canada and even Fiji. All without leaving her lab. Walker is an associate professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders and coordinator of the University of Maine Speech Therapy Telepractice Program. She oversees services provided by students and faculty to […]
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For older adults, falling can be fatal. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among people 65 and older in the United States. As the number of older adults increases, the problem could continue to worsen. Undergraduate researchers in the University of Maine WiSe-Net […]
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In 1974, emeritus professor of Psychology Dr. Merrill (Pete) Elias started the Maine Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS) in Syracuse, New York. Though the purpose of the study at its inception was to examine high blood pressure and cognitive function, the scope was later expanded study the additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as diabetes, […]
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Artist Titi de Baccarat leaves exhausted but focused after his month-long residency at the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center (IMRC). “This opened up lots of possibilities. I had twenty-four hour access to the facilities without pressure and a collaborative atmosphere,” he explains. De Baccarat hands over a 3D printed set of ears – exact […]
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Maginnis Lab supports student research from undergraduate through graduate careers More undergraduate students at the University of Maine have the opportunity to take part in innovative research. This experience carries through into their graduate studies and careers. The Maginnis Lab has students who started their research as first-years and continue it as graduate students. Melissa […]
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Researchers discover an interesting source of improved wound healing: the wild blueberry. Wild Blueberries are rich in compounds that beneficially affect human health. Two classes of these compounds are anthocyanins and phenolic acids – which have been documented to have beneficial impacts on chronic diseases. Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, professor of clinical nutrition and Panagiotis Tsakiroglou, who […]
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International students at the University of Maine add diversity and enrich the learning experience for all students. They come from a multitude of backgrounds and are some of the best resources in campus to understand a foreign land and its culture. International researchers also richly contribute towards the growing global impact of UMaine research. Anwesha […]
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Neuropathy research leads to cutting-edge medical device development Neuropathy (or the dying-back of nerve fibers) affects roughly 20 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, most people do not realize they have the disease until they experience symptoms such as pain, numbness and loss of limb control. In many cases, amputation can result. Current methods […]
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Putting heart into cardiac research Jonathan Bomar joined the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (GSBSE) in the fall of 2014 after earning undergraduate degrees in geological sciences and psychology at Michigan State University. From Geological Sciences to Psychology to Biomedical Engineering – it’s safe to say Bomar’s curiosity is vast and diverse. […]
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New faculty find opportunity to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research project. Nishad Jayasundara studies toxic effects of various chemicals at the cellular level, including those commonly found in Maine waterways. Before coming to the University of Maine, he often wondered about the possibilities of creating a model that could predict the outcome of chemical reactions […]
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Q&A with Susan Smith, assistant director of the Intermedia Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program You are a graduate of the Intermedia MFA program here at UMaine. How does this help you connect with and understand the students’ challenges? My years of graduate studies expanded my view of the world and how I interact with […]
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A research project aimed at providing healthcare providers with tools to prevent patients from falling has grown to include the detection of biomarkers associated with diseases such as pancreatic cancer. John Vetelino, professor of electrical and computer engineering, is the principal investigator for the RRF (Research Reinvestment Fund) project “Sensor Development/Adaptation to Improve Healthcare: A […]
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Using bioinformatics to analyze muscular dystrophy. Benjamin King, assistant professor for bioinformatics, has teamed up with Clarissa Henry, associate professor of biological sciences, to study muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that affects muscles in the human body. They have developed a unique tool to study the function of a specific muscular dystrophy gene. Researchers […]
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As we head into 2019, we look at the impact funding programs have on university research endeavors. The Research Reinvestment Fund (RRF) has been established by the University of Maine System Board of Trustee’s in an effort to grow research, development, and commercialization activities in Maine. The RRF program has several competitive grant programs, such […]
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Penobscot language at risk of being extinguished is revitalized with modern-day translations in story-telling The stories passed down from one generation to the next are vital sources of shared culture, age-old wisdom and the ability to reconnect with a precious heritage. When people no longer share these stories in their own language, they surrender one […]
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A monitoring app for greenhouse agriculture in Maine. New media undergraduates at UMaine are developing an innovative monitoring app, MAGAPP, to serve local Maine greenhouses for the Sustainable Year Round Agriculture Cluster Initiative by the Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society. Joline Blais, associate professor of new media, and Bill Giordano, SYRA data coordinator, are overseeing research […]
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Nicklaus Carter has a lot of experience with tubes and pipes from his days working in construction. Now, he creates a different kind of pipe – a nanocellulose conduit – for use in the medical field. Carter, from Franklin, Maine, is a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. His love […]
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The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions’ innovative approach to stakeholder-engaged, solutions-driven, interdisciplinary research was recently highlighted in a news feature in Nature Sustainability. The Mitchell Center was one of twenty institutions from six continents invited to a global summit at the National Science Foundation-supported National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center in Maryland. The central […]
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In the United States, it’s estimated more than 20 million people age 12 and older have a substance use disorder and more than 10 million women and men experience partner violence. While these issues are often addressed separately, studies show most people affected by partner violence or substance abuse also have needs related to the […]
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Maine’s population is the oldest in the nation, and 11 percent of Mainers live at or below the federal poverty level. These factors make Maine an ideal and critical location to study aging. Rebecca MacAulay, assistant professor of psychology, studies tools and technology used to understand brain health in older adults in her Cognition Aging […]
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Winter ticks are causing severe illness in Maine’s iconic moose population. A team of University of Maine researchers examine the biophysical and social impacts of ticks in a uniquely collaborative project. Merging two different sciences into one study. Pauline Kamath, an assistant professor of animal health, Sandra De Urioste-Stone, assistant professor of nature-based tourism and […]
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James Elliott, a second-year Master of Science student in the School of Forest Resources from Danvers, Massachusetts, enjoys scuba-diving and collecting insects in his free time. “It’s like Pokémon but real,” said Elliott, who worked in the biotech industry before coming to UMaine. Elliott enjoys getting out of his comfort zone. When he had the […]
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Stream management practices Hamish Greig, an Assistant Professor of Stream Ecology, is collaborating with foresters, economists and watershed scientists from the University of Maine and Maine logging industry leaders to study Riparian Management – When foresters leave trees that shade a stream to protect its ecosystem. “A riparian buffer is the area of forest adjacent […]
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“A small program filled with big opportunities” The Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE) held its annual meeting on September 21 at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center. The day featured 42 student presentations (including oral and poster presentations and a 3-Minute Thesis® competition), an award ceremony and the opportunity for faculty […]
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UMaine researchers Bridie McGreavy and Darren Ranco; students Tyler Quiring, Brawley Benson, and Nolan Altvater; and partners in the Natural Resources Department in the Penobscot Nation including Jan Paul, Angie Reed and John Banks are investigating an issue that impacts us all: how news media coverage can shape the public understanding about important science issues. […]
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Around the world, energy producers are looking for the most reliable and efficient means for generating renewable energy through sustainable practices. Turbines using water currents to power communities is one of these methods. The problem: deciding where and how to place turbines to generate power while limiting their effect on the surrounding environments. That’s where […]
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Ken Akiha researched effective teaching styles for his thesis work at the University of Maine to determine how teachers engage their students for entire class periods. Now, as an Earth science and computer science teacher at Old Town High School, he can apply his findings to his own teaching style. Akiha’s research had an important […]
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As people age, it is common to see a degree of decreased physical and cognitive abilities. One ability that improves with age: managing negative emotions. According to Emily Haigh, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Maine, studies show older adults have an enhanced ability to manage their emotions as they age. She […]
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Jacquelyn Gill and Kristy Townsend inspire students and researchers at the University of Maine with their passion and dedication to education and research. While their fields of research may be vastly different, they enthusiastically embrace being women in STEM careers and serving as academic role models. It is these qualities that make them ideal candidates […]
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Student researchers collaborate between campuses – and beyond The Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Collaborative (IURC) has funded nine projects in 2018. These projects involve teams of two or more faculty members from different disciplines who mentor undergraduate researchers. The goal is to enhance research through collaborative work and to prepare students to become successful professionals and […]
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The unique aspects of Elizabeth (Liz) DePoy’s horse farm, Chapter Three Farm, in Newburgh, Maine are not immediately noticeable. Equipment is lined up neatly along the walls. Hay is stacked in convenient locations. There are the usual sounds of shovels cleaning stalls and horses chomping their mid-day meal. DePoy and her husband, Stephen Gilson, exchange […]
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An interdisciplinary team of undergraduate researchers investigates the role of the education system in providing rural youth an opportunity for economic stability in Maine. Dominic Gayton has witnessed firsthand how communities reliant on natural resources for economic stability can suffer when youth leave Maine to find stable work. Gayton, from Calais, Maine, has watched many […]
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For the past few years, residents of southern Maine’s coastal communities have observed green slime growing on their shores during the spring and summer months. The question is: is this slime, known as an algal bloom, the result of population growth or a natural phenomenon? In order to answer this question, one crew at UMaine’s […]
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With invaluable faculty support, one undergrad found her calling through research Sarai Smith came to the University of Maine in Orono from the small town of Amesbury, Mass. Shy, homesick and lonely – she struggled academically her first year of college. Then, she found something she was passionate about: research. Computer technology comes easily to […]
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Whether it’s wrestling a four-foot sturgeon or trapping a four-inch minnow, Tarren Giberti is in her element. Tarren Giberti loves fish. Big or small, she has a keen interest in studying their behaviors and anatomy. Her field work and research at the University of Maine provided ample opportunity to spend time with some of the […]
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Not all research takes place in a lab with petri dishes and microscopes … Karyn Sporer uses Twitter to investigate criminological theory In the modern era of social media, more than 300 million people use Twitter to share news and engage in online conversations. This provides a glimpse into the minds of a diverse public […]
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The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s interactive Follow a Researcher® program connects youth with graduate students conducting fieldwork in remote locations around the world. When University of Maine graduate student Charles Rodda was packing for his research trip to Peru in early 2015, there was only one thing that wouldn’t fit into his suitcase: a […]
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