UMSS Student Profiles 2019

Gabrielle Bock

Gabrielle Bock

Determination of Potential Biopolymer Substitutes for Intaglio Etching Constituents Based on Rheological and Adhesive Properties Gabrielle Bock, Chemistry and Studio Art, is attempting to determine a non-proprietary, non-toxic substitute to use in an intaglio etching ground, which is the process of using acid or mordant to cut into metal surfaces to create a design. “I […]

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Benjamin Williams

Benjamin Williams

The Impact of Prophage BPs on Antibiotic Resistance in Mycobacteria Ben Williams, pre-med, is conducting research on understanding the manner in which bacteria gain tools for antibiotic resistance from the viruses that infect them. “The rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria is a critical issue in the clinical setting. So, as a pre-medical student this area […]

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Michael Buyaskas

Michael Buyaskas

Assessing the effectiveness of bait versus lure in linear arrays with multiple trail cameras to detect North American mammals Michael Buyaskas, wildlife ecology, is attempting to find the best combination of bait and lure to attract the most mammals to a trail camera. This combination will be used to provide a framework for researchers and […]

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Jordan Miner

Jordan Miner

Imaging Zebrafish with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using Second-Harmonic Generation to Evaluate Myosin Structure Jordan Miner is a Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Maine examining Zebrafish with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to help determine the best course of treatment for a person with DMD. Miner uses a two-photon laser to image the myosin structure of […]

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Meghan Royle

Meghan Royle

The effects of environmental lighting on circadian rhythm entrainment and voluntary alcohol intake: possible role for melanopsin signaling With her research, Meghan Royle, biology, is attempting to find a link between daily biological rhythms and voluntary ethanol intake through a protein found in photosensitive cells. Royle is hoping her research can be used to help […]

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Sarah McCallister

Sarah McCallister

Determining the Role of Prophage, Cuke, Gene Expression on Host Mycobacterium Smegmatis Gene Expression Molecular and cell biology student Sarah McCallister’s research seeks to understand the impact of integrated phage genomes on bacterial gene expression. “I believe by researching and determining how bacteriophage impact bacterial gene expression, we can then understand more about the bacteria […]

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Michaela Murray

Michaela Murray

An Exploratory Study Of Sustainability Conceptualizations And Practices In Maine Wineries Michaela Murray studies environmental science. Her research is focused on understanding sustainability perceptions and implementations among Maine winery owners. “I chose to study Maine wine not only because I have a personal interest in the product, but because it has become evident that the […]

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Griffin Archambault

Griffin Archambault

Developing a Novel Approach to Estimate Reproductive Success of Black Bears in Maine Griffin Archambault, wildlife ecology, is currently researching and developing cost-effective monitoring protocols to establish an understanding of the black bear reproductive rates across the state of Maine. “Black bears are a keystone species in Maine, and understanding how our uses of the […]

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Bobby Brittingham

Bobby Brittingham

How Personality Types Affect Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Southern Red-backed Vole (Myodes gapperi) Seed Cache Management Bobby Brittingham, wildlife ecology, studies how varying personalities of deer mice and southern red-backed voles changes the behaviors around their seed caches. “There is a lot of information to find out about how personality can be implemented to […]

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Cassandra Steele

Cassandra Steele

Impacts of plant detritus and bacterial composition of mosquito development Cassandra Steele, zoology, does research focused on how plants and bacteria influence the survival of mosquitoes, who can be carriers of vector-borne diseases. “The more knowledge we have about how invasive plants alter ecosystems may contribute to management strategies to control invasive outbreaks,” explains Steele. […]

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Thilee Yost

Thilee Yost

Asian American Politics: A Case Study of Hmong American Political Incorporation in St. Paul, MN Thilee Yost, political science and philosophy, is researching Asian American voting motivations and patterns for her Honors Thesis. Yost’s research is focused in St. Paul, MN, where examples of Asian American political incorporation and participation has been successful. Yost is […]

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