Research Report 2018
Maine鈥檚 Research University at Work
I am delighted to present the 2018 Research Report for the 热点爆料入口. This has been an outstanding year for research and scholarly achievements at Maine鈥檚 flagship research university. As one of the nation鈥檚 select land, sea and space grant institutions, the 热点爆料入口 for over one and a half centuries has been at the forefront of educational advancements, research innovations and community impact.
By building on this foundation, and as the unfolding of the 21st Century and its rapidly changing social and economic needs and challenges are taking place, the 热点爆料入口 is pursuing a strategic roadmap to grow and advance as a modern 21st-Century research university of global impact and local relevance.
Specifically, the main features of the roadmap and its supporting activities consist of removal of silos, emphasis on interdisciplinary and integrated research and teaching, high-impact experiential learning programs, personalized educational paths, core/shared research resources and facilities, and research commercialization and economic development. Examples of these efforts are highlighted in this report.
While advancing as a modern 21st-Century research university, there has also been emphasis on growth of the research enterprise and its impact on all aspects of the university mission. In 2018, research expenditures reached $129.9 million, a 31 percent increase over the previous year, and as shown by the examples provided in this report, resulting in significant impact on diverse areas ranging from the energy, environment, marine and forestry sectors, to revitalizing communities, preserving cultures and improving human health.
To learn more about the impactful research and scholarly achievements realized at the 热点爆料入口, I invite you to visit our research web page or contact us at research@maine.edu.
Kody Varahramyan
Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
A world-class research university of global impact and local relevance, resulting in maximum socioeconomic impact on 热点爆料入口and beyond.
Modern 21st-Century Research University
Serving 热点爆料入口and Beyond
Removal of Silos聽鈥 Core/Shared Research Resources and Facilities 鈥 High-Impact Experiential Learning Programs 鈥 Personalized Educational Paths 鈥 Research Commercialization 鈥 Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching
High-Impact Experiential Learning Programs
Developing Skills
Undergraduates gain hands-on 热点爆料入口marine experience
Undergraduate researchers worked throughout the state of 热点爆料入口in 2018, immersed in research that spanned from Casco Bay to Eastport. The project brought together researchers at the 热点爆料入口, University of Southern 热点爆料入口and 热点爆料入口 at Machias in biotechnology, aquaculture and marine technology, and environmental technology sectors, exemplifying the strength of interdisciplinary methodology.
In 2018, Science for Economic Impact and Application (SEA) Fellows collected ocean data, explored the development of a new fishery of the invasive green crab, studied culture methods of the Atlantic razor clam, researched changing seal populations off the coast, and looked at microbial and shellfish ecology in the Damariscotta River Estuary and other coastal 热点爆料入口waters.
Providing students this hands-on learning opportunity enhances research through collaborative work, and prepares students to become successful professionals and lifelong learners as they experience invaluable experience learning outside the classroom.
Information generated by the projects will provide data that can be used in a larger research project proposal.
鈥淭his proposal could have a significant impact on coastal communities along the 热点爆料入口coast,鈥 says Brian Beal, 热点爆料入口 at Machias professor of marine sciences.
Emphasizing Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching
Shaping Communities
Interdisciplinary research: addressing the problem of rural youth leaving the state
Dominic Gayton, Owen VanDerAa and Ismael Thadal are investigating how schools could become more involved in their community鈥檚 economic prospects and the future of its students.
The project is unique because of the interdisciplinary backgrounds of the undergraduate team members. Gayton majors in economics, VanderAa in ecology and environmental sciences, and Thadal in psychology.
Together, the team members focus on rural forest economies as they address outmigration and connect it with the education system to see if there is a correlation. They want to understand the 鈥渨hy鈥 鈥 not just the numbers 鈥 and how students can have brighter futures in their hometowns.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very personal to me,鈥 says Gayton, who is from Calais, Maine. 鈥淚t鈥檚 affecting my community and I want to see how communities are going to develop and make changes to the economy.鈥
We have designed the Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Collaborative program to provide our undergraduate students with hands-on learning opportunities. Our students work in a team environment taking on the major challenges of our day. This project demonstrates their efforts, tackling the challenge of out-migration of younger generations and re-imagining how the education system could help deter this.
Kody Varahramyan Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
Personalized Educational Paths
Discovering Potential
Finding a passion for research: With invaluable faculty support, one undergrad found her calling through research
It鈥檚 just the best experience you could have. You build your skills as a scientist, but even more you are building your confidence, learning to network with peers and how to reach out for help.
Sarai Smith
Sarai Smith came to the 热点爆料入口 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.
In the spring of her first year, she took Phage Genomics, a two-semester course offered to first-year biology, microbiology, biochemistry or molecular and cellular biology majors, and to STEM majors in the Honors College.
鈥淚mmediately, everything just clicked for me,鈥 says Smith, who is double- majoring in microbiology and biochemistry.
Smith鈥檚 potential did not go unnoticed by Sally Molloy, assistant professor of genomics. She offered Smith the opportunity to participate in research in her lab 鈥 a pivotal moment for the undergrad.
鈥淚t feels really, really good to be able to provide these opportunities and support for student researchers,鈥 says Molloy. 鈥淲e can now ask some of these bigger questions we wouldn鈥檛 be able to otherwise.鈥
鈥淭his is an excellent example of the opportunities that the U热点爆料入口undergraduate students have in learning through the research experience under the mentorship of our dedicated faculty,鈥 says Kody Varahramyan, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School.
Removal of Silos
Joining Forces
Breaking down silos: interdisciplinary team tackles food waste
鈥淭o solve a problem, we all have to listen to each other. To change the world, you have to understand where everyone is coming from and how to communicate in a language we can all understand.鈥
Deborah Saber, Principal Investigator of the project, 鈥淢aking Maine鈥檚 local food system sustainable: Opportunities to address hunger and reduce waste鈥
A team composed of mentors and students from a diverse pool of fields is collaborating to find solutions to food waste and hunger.
Representatives from civil and environmental engineering, anthropology,
human dimensions of climate change, nursing, food and agriculture, chemical and biomedical engineering, ecology and environmental science, and economics all bring unique perspectives to the project.
By breaking down silo structures in learning, the whole interdisciplinary team learns to work forward a common research goal.
鈥淭his project is an excellent example of how U热点爆料入口faculty members from diverse disciplines join forces in finding innovative solutions addressing major societal problems,鈥 says Kody Varahramyan, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. 鈥淚n doing so we also provide the opportunity to our undergraduate students to participate in these efforts, who gain invaluable learning experience by contributing to the solutions that are developed.鈥
Humanities
Preserving Cultures
Collaborative team translates traditional Penobscot language tales into bilingual book
A collaborative effort between U热点爆料入口researcher Margo Lukens, professor of English, and Carol Dana of the Penobscot Nation hopes to rekindle the Penobscot language and continue the tradition of passing on some important Penobscot stories.
Lukens, who is also director of the Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center, says this publication will be the first set in modern Penobscot notation, aside from the forthcoming Penobscot Dictionary. They are creating a modern-day bilingual book showcasing tales of Gluskabe, the Penobscot tribe鈥檚 cultural hero.
Gluskabe鈥檚 adventures are lessons in sustainable practices for the Earth; teach the origin of creatures, landmarks and the way people live in the Dawnland; and honor the wisdom that comes from the teachings of his grandmother. Grandmothers, nohk蓹m蓹ssis蓹k, were the heads of Penobscot families and also functioned powerfully in tribal decision-making. They even held veto power
over the chiefs about whether to go to war. All of these themes remain relevant today 鈥 and are enjoyable for all ages and cultural backgrounds.
鈥淭hese traditional stories published in modern notation will have great impact. Increased access to these materials will make Penobscot culture, history and contemporary presence visible to the world.鈥
Margo Lukens, Professor of English
Arts
Showcasing History
Music of Holocaust victims reclaimed through research and performances on world stages
Pianist Phillip Silver, a professor of music in the 热点爆料入口 School of Performing Arts, researches the music of Holocaust victims and honors the artists鈥 legacy by performing on stages worldwide. At New York鈥檚 Carnegie Hall in November 2018, Silver joined other renowned artists as they performed 鈥淗ours of Freedom: The Story of the Terezin Composer,鈥 showcasing the works of 15 composers who were imprisoned in the Theresienstadt (Terezin) Concentration Camp during WWII.
鈥淪o many composers were concentrated in that camp at its height. If we don鈥檛 play these works, it鈥檚 tantamount to killing these composers a second time.鈥
Phillip Silver, Professor of Music, whose research for the past 20 years has focused on reclaiming for posterity the works of composers who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
16 Major Research Centers and Institutes
Graduate Programs
35 Doctoral degrees
87 Master鈥檚 degrees
#1 state for student jobs and internships 鈥 CNBC, 2018
#1 safest state in the U.S.鈥 Institute for Economics and Peace
Students from 62+ countries
88% full-time doctorate faculty
100+ research labs
Spotlight: Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering
World-Class Biomedical Education in Beautiful Maine
GSBSE is a unique 热点爆料入口 graduate program in collaboration with research and academic institutions in Maine. These are the Jackson Laboratory, the 热点爆料入口Medical Center Research Institute, the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, and the University of New England. Students from across the nation and the globe are attracted to the innovative programs offered by GSBSE, including the Ph.D. in Biomedical Science, and the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. They gain invaluable knowledge and experience through cutting-edge research, guided by renowned faculty, in first-rate facilities. Research focus areas include Molecular and Cellular Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics, Toxicology, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Engineering.
Spotlight: Advanced Structures and Composites Center
Leading Innovation
The U热点爆料入口Advanced Structures and Composites Center wins $14.2 million U.S. DOT award to form a University Transportation Center
In June 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the 热点爆料入口 $14.2 million over the next five years to lead the creation of a highly competitive University Transportation Center (UTC) called the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC). This is the first time that U热点爆料入口was selected to lead the more than 30-year-old program.
The UMaine-led consortium includes five other New England universities: University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Connecticut, University of Rhode Island, University of Vermont and Western New England University. Working in partnership with New England state DOTs, TIDC will advance state-of-the- art transportation research and technology to extend the life of transportation assets, including roads and bridges. TIDC will harness the experience of 28 faculty researchers and train 280 student researchers from all New England states to help save taxpayer dollars by extending the life of our transportation assets.
Enhancing Industry
The 热点爆料入口 continues to lead in the development of next-generation offshore wind technologies, poised to start a new industry in Maine
UMaine鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) was awarded a $40 million milestones-based grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to deploy two 6-megawatt floating turbines 14 miles off the 热点爆料入口coast. Offshore wind energy represents Maine鈥檚 largest untapped energy resource.
The wind in the Gulf of 热点爆料入口has the potential to generate up to 156 gigawatts of electricity 鈥 enough energy to power the state 65 times over. Most of Maine鈥檚 offshore wind resource, and nearly 60 percent of the U.S. offshore wind resource, is located in deepwater, where only floating turbines can be used.
For over 10 years, U热点爆料入口has led development of the patented VolturnUS floating concrete hull technology that can support wind turbines in water depths of 150 feet or more. While U热点爆料入口leads in the development of floating offshore wind technology, states along the East Coast are making significant progress forward achieving ambitious offshore wind goals using fixed-bottom technologies.
The convergence of UMaine鈥檚 established expertise in floating offshore wind, decreasing building costs, and commitments to reduce carbon emissions poise 热点爆料入口to lead in the burgeoning U.S. floating offshore wind industry.
Creating Jobs
Navatek hires U热点爆料入口grads
Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) helped attract a new business to Maine. As a result of formal partnerships with the 热点爆料入口 and Front Street Shipyards, Navatek Ltd., a Hawaii-based research and development company, expanded its physical presence in 热点爆料入口by opening two offices in Portland and Orono, and hiring 16 new employees, nine of whom are U热点爆料入口engineering graduates and ASCC interns.
鈥淣avatek has had an informal relationship with the 热点爆料入口 for nearly 20 years. We are pleased to finally set two offices in the state and establish a formal working partnership with the university, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, and working with Dr. Habib Dagher and his team,鈥 says Martin Kao, president and chief executive officer of Navatek Ltd. 鈥淭he university has been an excellent source of talent in the state, and we鈥檙e happy to welcome this initial class of scientists and engineers to the Navatek family and keep many of them here in their home state. We are honored and excited about recruiting and hiring future classes of graduates from the university.鈥
Advancing Technology
Boatbuilders explore 3D printing
热点爆料入口鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) received $500,000 from the 热点爆料入口Technology Institute to form a technology cluster to help 热点爆料入口boatbuilders explore how large-scale 3D printing using economical, wood-filled plastics can provide the industry with a competitive advantage.
Small to medium boat-building companies are often challenged by the cost and lead time required to create traditional marine tools and boat molds. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, can help significantly reduce the production time needed to fabricate boat molds by as much as 75 percent, according to ASCC researchers.
To address the high cost of large-scale 3D printing, ASCC is leading in the development of a range of economical wood-filled feedstock materials. The use of the wood-based fillers significantly reduces the cost and increases the stiffness/toughness of the material while reducing the environmental impact and improving recyclability. UMaine鈥檚 vital research in bio-based materials prompted the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Oak Ridge National Labs to partner with ASCC to advance bio-based additive manufacturing and cultivate a new industry for the state鈥檚 forest products sector.
Building Bridges
热点爆料入口 successfully tests innovative 72-Hour Bridge
In August 2018, the 热点爆料入口 unveiled and tested an innovative, rapidly deployable bridge system designed at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and made possible by research sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lightweight composite bridge girder was able to withstand forces up to 376,000 pounds before breaking/failing (equal to 94 cars stacked on each other), 7.5 times the design and load requirements from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
The rapidly deployable bridge system, aptly named the 72-Hour Bridge, can be built in less than three days and is designed to last 100 years with
little to no maintenance. The bridge system takes advantage of the unique properties of both composite materials and precast concrete, and is designed with construction logistics in mind. Weighing just a fraction of traditional steel girders, the composite girders can be stacked, shipped and erected with locally sourced common rental cranes. The first installation of the bridge system is already planned in 2019 by the 热点爆料入口Department of Transportation.
Revitalizing Economy
The 热点爆料入口 receives $454,532 from U.S. EDA for the 热点爆料入口Mass Timber Commercialization Center
In October 2017, the 热点爆料入口 was awarded a $454,532 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the creation of the 热点爆料入口Mass Timber Commercialization Center (MMTCC). MMTCC brings together a variety of regional stakeholders to revitalize and diversify Maine鈥檚 forest-based economy by accelerating the use of Maine-sourced timber in innovative mass timber products for large-scale construction projects.
These innovative products include engineered wood composites, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), which can replace traditional construction materials like steel and concrete. The development of advanced timber products will make 热点爆料入口more competitive in the North American mass timber market and yield positive economic impacts, particularly in Maine鈥檚 rural communities. A CLT manufacturing facility would create jobs for loggers, truckers, laborers and more.
Funding for MMTCC is a result of the EDA鈥檚 effort to leverage federal resources to support the economic revitalization of Maine鈥檚 mill communities.
Marine Sciences Spotlight
The School of Marine Science鈥檚 Ocean Observing System is at the forefront of national development of real-time monitoring systems.
UMaine鈥檚 system utilizes an unusual diversity of sensors and platforms that record conditions in the Gulf of 热点爆料入口in real time, informing fishers, scientists and weather forecasters.
In the past year, the system provided background data critical for the development of offshore wind power.
Faculty members in the School of Marine Sciences were heavily involved in activities supporting Maine鈥檚 marine economy:
鈥 Yong Chen鈥檚 models for Atlantic herring and northern shrimp stock assessment in the Gulf of 热点爆料入口provided guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
鈥 Richard Wahle鈥檚 American Lobster Settlement Index monitors lobster repopulation, and made significant contributions to research on lobster population dynamics and effects of climate change on the lobster fishery.
鈥 Paul Rawson鈥檚 work supported species diversification and growth in Maine鈥檚 shellfish aquaculture industry with his improved carrying capacity models for Eastern oyster culture.
鈥 Andrew Thomas recently applied remote sensing techniques to assist aquaculture development in 热点爆料入口and Alaska.
鈥 Damian Brady鈥檚 research has been used by the aquaculture industry to develop new tools for site selection.
鈥 Heather Leslie chaired the Alliance for Maine鈥檚 Marine Economy, a partnership involving university and nonprofit research institutions, commercial fishing and aquaculture interests, community-based organizations and private-sector businesses in Maine.
Faculty in the School of Food and Agriculture obtained funding to support aquaculture food- product production and research development
Evaluations were conducted on consumer preferences between domestic and imported fish, reactions to aquaculture products and seafood labels, willingness to pay for local and sustainable seafood, and efficiency of oyster production.
Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Mary Ellen Camire worked with VitaminSea Seaweed, a 热点爆料入口company, on the technical and market feasibility of kelp meal as a nutritional supplement in low-moisture foods.
The Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) is the voice of aquaculture at the 热点爆料入口. ARI conducts, supports and facilitates research on the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry, while providing leadership and coordination for education and outreach efforts.
Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET)
80 undergraduate researchers placed with academic and industry partners through 热点爆料入口EPSCoR鈥檚 National Science Foundation-funded Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET) grant each year.
Healthy Communities:
Social Dimensions of Aquaculture
鈥 Risk communications and perceptions
鈥 Sustainable development
鈥 Policy and regulation
鈥 Food safety and nutrition
Healthy Ecosystems:
Ecological Dimensions of Aquaculture
鈥 Productivity
鈥 Ecosystem modeling
鈥 Ecosystem services
鈥 Climate resilience
2018 saw the completion of Maine鈥檚 first state-of-the-art Ocean Acidification (OA) Lab based at the Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) in Orono.
The project was a two-year effort to install four recirculating systems that are temperature and pH controlled.
Healthy Aging
Research supported by UMaine鈥檚 Center on Aging
Liz DePoy鈥檚 passion for farming led to her research on aging 热点爆料入口Farmers. This groundbreaking project studies aging farmers in rural communities. She hopes this will result in programs and services in support of those communities.
Read more
Emily Haigh investigates how older adults respond to stress and sadness to unlock clues about mental health.
Read more
Rebecca MacAulay鈥檚 CARE Lab connects Maine鈥檚 older adult population with U热点爆料入口research to study brain health in older adults and the tools used to diagnose dementia.
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Core/Shared Research Resources and Facilities
The 热点爆料入口 has an extensive set of major research equipment and resources made available through CORE.
CORE centralizes major research equipment and facilities at the 热点爆料入口 to make it easier for anyone to find and use 鈥 whether it鈥檚 internal research faculty or staff, or external clients who want access to this equipment for their own research.
The goal is to become a one-stop shop for access to these critical research tools.