Maine EPSCoR
* Maine EPSCoR
  + 
    - 
Search...
Quicklinks
# Maine EPSCoR
## General
All Categories
Education & OutreachEventsFundingGeneralMaine-eDNANewsNewsletterResearchResourcesSEANETSMARTSpring 2022 NewsletterSummer 2020 MagazineUndergraduate Opportunities
## 
By Emma Beauregard, Even though the award period of the NSF EPSCoR Track-1 Maine-eDNA project comes to completion on December 31, 2024, the researchers involved remain as busy as ever going through data samples. One of these researchers is Yasmina Shah Esmaeili, a postdoctoral fellow bringing together previously collected data to reveal how kelp forest […]
Dear STEM Leaders, My name is Leonard Kenyon, and I am a STEM Education Specialist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA). I’m reaching out to share an exciting opportunity through the Maine EPSCoR E-CORE RII Program, which aims to enhance research infrastructure and capacity in targeted areas across Maine. The project, Strengthening Maine’s Research Ecosystem […]
By Camryn Sudimick, Writing Intern White sharks are one of the most iconic species in the sea. While they have gained a fearsome reputation, researchers like Patrick Tardie, a Maine-eDNA undergraduate intern, argue they should instead be recognized for their vital role as apex predators in marine ecosystems. While white shark populations faced a decline […]
By Ilaria Bardini, Writing Intern The many applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in research and conservation has inspired educators to find ways to implement such topics into their various curricula. As an emerging appliance, eDNA can allow researchers and stakeholders to track population fluctuations of keystone species in order better understand the impacts of climate […]
By, Colin Gallagher, Media Intern and Caty DuDevoir, Writing Intern The Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies (FIRST), formerly known as the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology (LASST), is an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Maine (UMaine), with the vision of becoming a leader in materials, devices, and systems research. The […]
By Stefania Irene Marthakis “Maine-eDNA was one of my main inspirations to continue to study Zoology at the University of Maine, Decorey Bolton Jr. said. “I’m especially interested in animal’s behavioral patterns, how different environmental factors are affecting their movement patterns, and their interactions with other animals.” DeCorey Bolton Jr. is an alumni and now […]
By Evan Bartow, Writing Intern Located across the many aquatic enviroments of Maine, harmful algae blooms (HABs) are caused by algae that can grow uncontrollably, and cause the production of naturally produced toxins. These toxins negatively impact other organisms within the aquatic ecosystems. Robin Sleith, who started as a postdoctoral scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for […]
By Evan Bartow, Writing Intern Assisting in the development of new environmental genomics research, Dave Ernst (postdoctoral scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences) works to develop the research tools that leverage environmental RNA (eRNA) as part of the NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Maine-eDNA grant. The use of eRNA detection tools can help expand the […]
By Ilaria Bardini, Writing Intern Natural ecosystems, including Maine’s plants and forests, are increasingly being impacted by pollution and climate change. Mycorrhizal fungi, fungal communities that have often unseen symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants, are vital to forest communication and their consequent growth and success. The build-up of toxic chemicals and pollutants in […]
By Ilaria Bardini, Media Intern As the world’s climate changes, ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them are changing as well. This holds true for blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, which are beginning to populate areas along the coast of Maine. Native to warmer waters along the U.S. coastlines, the rising temperatures in the Gulf of […]
1
…
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 444
Orono, ME
04469
Tel: 207.581.3312
Fax: 207.581.9487
maine.epscor@maine.edu
University of Maine |
Orono, ME 04469
 |
207.581.1865
!
Top
## Maine-eDNA
Over the past two centuries, river herring (alewife and blueback herring) experienced a decline in their populations due to the construction of dams blocking migration paths. However, the recent removal of dams and construction of fishways and other infrastructure has led to the start of their recovery. As part of the NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 […]
By Ryan Abedi and Lauren Crofton-Macdonald, As the Gulf of Maine warms, new species, invasive and not, are moving in. The delimitation between invasive and noninvasive species can be difficult to discern. At a simple level, it can be the level of human involvement in the species movement. For example, the European green crab made […]
By Camryn Sudimick While not as expansive as the renowned kelp forests of California and other parts of the world, the Gulf of Maine (GoM) is also home to a diverse kelp forest ecosystem on its rocky reefs. These out-of-sight underwater forests are known to foster biodiversity, providing vital resources and habitats for various marine […]
By Camryn Sudimick In the vast expanse of the Earth’s ocean, our planet’s largest ecosystem, lie countless mysteries that have yet to be explored. Dedicated to uncovering such mysteries is Jamie Fogg, a sophomore studying Marine Science at the University of Maine. Fogg began exploring marine biology during high school when she was involved in […]
By, Camryn Sudimick, Maine EPSCoR Writing Intern The Gulf of Maine (GoM) is warming rapidly, and ecosystems contained within, including Maine’s rocky reefs, are undergoing significant changes. The kelp forest habitats along Maine’s coast are transitioning to red algae turf reefs. These kelp forests stand from one to a few meters tall that fish and […]
By Camryn Sudimick, Writing Intern Amid Maine’s watersheds reside countless microorganisms that many do not take the time to consider. These organisms, while small in size, play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Scientists have harnessed the power of environmental DNA (eDNA) when it comes to understanding the world of microscopic organisms. Étaín Cullen, an […]
Congratulations to Maine-eDNA’s summer internship cohort! The NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Maine-eDNA project provided support to 32 undergraduate interns this summer. Working up and down the coast and into the interior of Maine, these interns made meaningful contributions to the project by helping advance efforts like Maine-eDNA’s Index Site Sampling project.  The interns used eDNA […]
## Education & Outreach
Maine EPSCoR is pleased to announce the availability of the Maine-eDNA K-12 Innovation SEED Grant program. The purpose of this program is to develop partnerships with organizations and institutions to increase K-20 STEM opportunities through outreach and education programs, and activities that are aligned with Maine-eDNA’s project’s research initiatives across the state of Maine. The […]
Join educators to discuss Maine aquaculture and aquaponics. You will see an active aquaponic system and explore new 4H SEANET Aquaculture Science Toolkits, including the middle school Innovation Engineering and the high school Data Literacy curriculums. Teachers are eligible for a stipend for attending. RSVP to Sarah Sparks: sarah.sparks@maine.edu
This summer, the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research and Hancock County 4-H will offer an eight-week Aquaculture Internship Program to students aged 15 through 18. A Maine EPSCoR workforce development grant enabled creation of the program. The internship will teach students the value of sustainable aquaculture in the global food system and equip them with […]
Hot off the presses! This new brochure shares the impact of SEANET workforce development on the state of Maine told through student stories.
## Contact Us
## Maine EPSCoR
**Maine EPSCoR**
Orono, ME 04469
Telephone: 207.581.3312
Fax: 207.581.9487
Email: maine.epscor@maine.edu
## Project Leadership
## Shane Moeykens
State EPSCoR Director *shane.moeykens@maine.edu
207.581.3399*
## Kody Varahramyan
Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School*varahramyan@maine.edu
207.581.1506*
## Project Support
## Lauren Crofton-Macdonald
Fiscal & Administrative Coordinator  *lauren.croftonmacdonald@maine.edu
207.581.*3312
## Daniel Timmermann
Communications Manager**daniel.timmermann@maine.edu
207.581.2289**
## Shaun Bourque
Fiscal & Administrative Coordinator
shaun.bourque*@maine.edu
207.581.2*432
# 
Contact Us Maine EPSCoR Maine EPSCoR5717 Corbett Hall, Room 444Orono, ME 04469 Telephone: 207.581.3312Fax: 207.581.9487Email: maine.epscor@maine.edu Project Leadership Shane MoeykensState EPSCoR Directorshane.moeykens@maine.edu207.581.3399 Kody VarahramyanVice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate Schoolvarahramyan@maine.edu207.581.1506 Project Support Lauren Crofton-MacdonaldFiscal & Administrative Coordinator lauren.croftonmacdonald@maine.edu207.581.3312 Daniel TimmermannCommunications Managerdaniel.timmermann@maine.edu207.581.2289 Shaun BourqueFiscal & Administrative Coordinator shaun.bourque@maine.edu207.581.2432
## Track-1 Planning Grant
Beginning on February 15, 2023, a team of researchers, administrators, and discipline experts led by Aaron Weiskittel (University of Maine Professor of Forest Biometrics and Modeling) set out to develop a proposal for Maine’s next NSF EPSCoR Track-1 project. In consultation with relevant documents like the Maine Innovation Economy Action Plan (2023) and Maine Won’t Wait (2020), the planning team focused on leveraging Maine’s forests to find opportunities to research decarbonization, renewable resources, the green economy and more. The planning team also sought to foster linkages between existing research centers across the state to fully utilize Maine’s research infrastructure and promote transdisciplinary research. With regular project and theme meetings conducted both in-person and remotely, the team laid the foundation for Maine’s next flagship NSF EPSCoR project. Additionally, two reports were generated which can be found below.
## Products
[Artificial Intelligence Report
[Knowledge-Sharing Findings, Discussion of Themes, and Collaboration Opportunities
[FOR Maine FOREST Report
[Debrief From All-Hands & Stakeholder Meeting
## Other Resources
Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board
Center for Research on Sustainable Forests
#### **This project,  to Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine.**
---