Hoeft’s interest in participating in a research project started at the beginning of his college career. “I reached out to many researchers on campus, particularly those working on offshore wind, but due to budget constraints, I was unable to work on those projects. I received an S-STEM scholarship, and at one of our meetings, I met a PhD student who was looking for an undergraduate student to help with his research project,” he said. 

Hoeft described his experience in the lab, saying, “My lab is made up of engineers from many different backgrounds. We have mainly biomedical engineers, some chemical engineers, and some computer scientists. I am used to working with like-minded people in my classes, so it is nice to work in a lab with people who may think differently than I do, but we are still able to see eye to eye.”

Throughout his research experience, Hoeft has worked with Dr. Caitlin Howell. He discussed the benefit working with Dr. Howell has had, saying, “Working with faculty mentors has humanized them. Being a student, your only interaction with the faculty is when they’re teaching or when you get your paper back, and it’s not the grade you wanted. We meet weekly with our Principal Investigator, and it’s incredibly valuable because you understand why people are in the positions they are in.”

He discussed his experience winning an award from the Maine Space Grant Consortium, which is administered through the CUGR program, and how it has enabled him to continue his research project. “Having an organization like the Center for Undergraduate Research that allows students to continue their research, it’s really great to have that to bridge the gap.”

Hoeft encourages students to get involved with research projects, saying, “Honestly, just take the step and get into it. For most things you apply for, there is no punishment if you do not accept it after you receive it.”

Meet Evalynn Schlett, a senior Earth, Life, and Health Sciences student participating in a research project at the historic home of Edith Marion Patch, known as Braeside, located in Orono on College Ave. Schlett’s research project focuses on creating a botanical garden, intended to foster an environment dedicated to research, community, and stewardship. 

The interest in gardening started to grow in her childhood. “I grew up with three siblings. I saw how gardening not only relaxed my mom, but also became a bonding experience between me and her,” said Schlett. She gained a love in working with botanical gardens in her childhood, when she visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens Botanical Garden and Sculpture Park in Michigan. “There I found play in nature and the beauty of art.” “I’d later work there for two summers maintaining gardens and working with volunteers and it is still a place I call home,” she said. 

Schlett’s childhood experiences of gardening with her mother and caring for the botanical garden park shaped her interest in creating a space to allow communities to come together. “All these backgrounds made me want a space like that at 91����: to create, to give, and to nurture,” said Schlett. 

Throughout this research project, Schlett has worked with Dr. Bryan Peterson from the Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. She reflected on the experience of working with a mentor, saying, “My mentor gave me realistic dreams and grounded me to what was possible with the resources I have and that he has been able to give me.” 

She talked about her experience with the CUGR program and how it allows her to pursue her goal of creating a space that fosters community and stewardship. “It allows me to put so much more focus into this project and maybe turning a dream into reality. It has allowed me to sharpen my focus and create better ideas,” she said. 

Schlett encourages students to participate in research projects on campus, saying, “If you have something you think would benefit people, do it. No matter how crazy it is, there’s bound to be someone willing to join your crazy idea and make it possible.” 

Photo Credits: Brenna Martens

McManus’ project is focused on parasite activity in Maine moose.”In the Northeastern United States, moose populations are threatened by several parasitic infections. In particular, winter ticks have been directly associated with moose calf mortality over the past decade, causing anemia and impacting the individual’s immune health.” She goes on to say that a calf’s chance of surviving the winter can be decreased by these parasites and infections they may cause. These infections can also impact the calf’s “development of key secondary sexual characteristics, like antlers.” The goals of the project are to “1) determine what species of Babesia infect Maine moose; 2) determine the prevalence of these infections, 3) evaluate the relationship between blood-borne parasite infection and antler growth, and 4), determine if winter tick could be a competent vector of Babesia in moose.” 

“I had not anticipated just how many skills I would need to learn in order to succeed in a research environment.” McManus credits her faculty mentor, Pauline Kamath, and the graduate students in the Kamath lab for teaching her all she needed to know to have success in the lab. She says their help enabled her to “learn how to write research proposals, analyze and select relevant scientific literature, and format my messaging for presentations.” She says that while some of these topics are touched on during courses, they don’t provide the same level of hands-on experience she finds while working in the lab. “Dr. Kamath is able to tailor my research experience to my broader interests and is highly supportive of my career beyond my undergraduate degree.”

McManus says the most important thing to do when getting started in research is to “find a mentor and a project that you are passionate about!” She says research can sound intimidating to those who aren’t involved with it, “but in reality the practical skills you will need to be competent are easily within your reach.” She recommends that interested students “talk to different faculty members, read the literature they have authored/co-authored, and take the time to find something that you will care about.”

Adell’s current project is exploring “the relationships between the motivations, identities, and behaviors of players, how they view and act on the rules and those motivations, and winning.” Using a variety of frameworks from different areas and subfields of philosophy, he will “explore the relationship between how these behaviors may or may not change at different levels of play with respect to the general expectations of said levels of play.” 

“Having a faculty research advisor has made every part of the process of this research easier and simpler.” Adell says having the opportunity to work with his mentor, Robby Finley, has been important to his project. “Dr. Finley has not only assisted in refining the language or the foundation of which my interests lay, but he has also suggested many texts or philosophers that I ought to look into that might prove useful.” Additionally, Adell credits Finley with helping him through application processes, and helped him polish his ideas when he was feeling unsure about aspects of the research.

While Adell believes that everyone doing research has a different experience, he thinks “there are some core values to what makes a good research project.” He says “you must be passionate and curious about the subject you are exploring, but it is also important to be disciplined and routined.” He says that having a regularly scheduled meeting with your faculty mentor or fellow researchers can be “incredibly beneficial.” Most importantly, he says, “is that you are dedicating some time regularly to your research project.”

“Alpine plants of the northeast are tundra relicts that depend on extreme mountaintop climates and may be vulnerable to present and future climate change.” Zeno goes on to say that variations in temperatures may affect the plants’ “biomass and traits related to plant form and photosynthesis.” Using photogrammetry and leaf spectra analysis, he can make 3D models to “measure area coverage as well as analyze the physiological performance of particular alpine species.” After which, he will conduct an investigation “to connect the relationship between trait variation, microclimate temperatures, and topographic features like slope and aspect across different peaks.” 

“Research can seem like a daunting task, especially as an inexperienced undergraduate, but it’s important to remember that every single person who conducts research has been in your shoes. We’ve all gone through the process of searching for the right lab, learning how to analyze data, and presenting your work.” Zeno has advice to offer for anyone considering research as a future path. “There’s a suite of skills that research teaches you and if you’re willing to devote yourself to the project, then you will be rewarded with personal improvement. You will face hardships, time crunches, and imposter syndrome, but just know that there are resources and people who want to help.”

Zeno says the fellowship provided to him by the Center for Undergraduate Research will be incredibly helpful as he works on his project. “Receiving this award is exceptionally impactful for how I am able to spend my time conducting research. I plan to put my full effort and attention into this project and this fellowship provides me with the compensation needed to fully devote myself. I’ve really enjoyed my experience with CUGR, from friends who have recommended it to me, to my own experience working in the office, it’s been a pleasure.”

Goktug says that the mentorship of Clarissa Henry and her graduate student mentor has been invaluable to her research experience. “Their guidance in experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting has accelerated my learning curve and built my confidence in tackling complex research questions.” She says their instruction has “deepened my understanding and allowed me to see the broader implications of my work within the field.” Goktug went on to say that “their mentorship has been instrumental in transforming me from a student into an independent researcher prepared for future scientific challenges.”

Her advice to any student thinking of getting involved with research is “to stay curious, patient, and open to learning. Research is often unpredictable, and not every experiment will yield immediate results, but perseverance is key. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance from mentors – they can provide valuable insights and help you grow as a researcher.”…”Stay passionate and committed to your project, because the process itself is just as valuable as the end result. Research is a journey of both professional and personal growth. 

When asked about how the CUGR award will assist in her project, she answered, “ The CUGR award will significantly impact my research by allowing me to purchase expensive lab equipment and reagents that would otherwise be out of reach”…”My experience with the CUGR program will be incredibly rewarding, as it will provide me with the resources necessary to advance my project and allow me to focus fully on my research without financial concerns. This opportunity will fuel my passion for scientific discovery and be instrumental in deepening my commitment to pursuing translational research in the future.”

McCarthy works with Dr. Onur Apul in his research lab, saying she felt very welcome by him and his students. “Dr. Apul has created a welcoming, inspiring group of individuals to work with. Although I was much younger than all his students when I first joined the group, they were eager to welcome me as a friend and researcher.” McCarthy appreciates the collaboration found in the lab, where everyone feels comfortable to share their ideas or ask for help on specific problems, and she appreciates their mentorship. “They have taught me to see my potential and I gained the confidence to start my own research project this year.”

That project is focused on “developing new methods for removing pollutants from wastewater using nanotechnology.” The objective of the research is to remove “a chemical called dimethylsilanediol (DMSD), found in silicon-based products like cosmetics, in the wastewater treatment system on the International Space Station. The goal is to develop a long-lasting, highly efficient technology that could replace NASA’s current method for removing DMSD, and potentially other pollutants.” McCarthy says that the drinking water supply is a limiting factor on the time and distance we are able to go in space. A more efficient method of removing pollutants could help expand NASA’s space exploration goals.

McCarthy had this to say for anyone thinking of getting involved in research: “The greatest thing you can do is to not underestimate yourself. I have spent so much time worrying whether I have the skills to do this or am smart enough to apply for that. Imposter syndrome can make research feel very daunting, but I have always found that I was more capable than I thought. Pushing through whatever worries you may have is worth it because your confidence will grow with each accomplishment!”

Viveiros’ research is focused on Snow Springtails, animals “known to live in sub-zero conditions on top of ice and snow, or frozen soils.However, during the spring, the melting ice creates a challenge to these tiny animals because their jumping organ (furcula) seems to be unable to exert enough force on the liquid water to successfully jump. […] When they launch themselves, they inflate a sticky gland that is located at the tip of their abdomen, which is used to stick their landing and soften the impact.” Results from the study “can help to design jumping robots with the capacity to move effectively on both solid and melting ice surfaces.”

Having Dr. Ortega-Jimenez as his advisor has been invaluable to Viveiros’ research experience at 91����. “Ever since joining him in his insect research, I have done everything from flipping over rocks looking for bugs, to sitting behind an electron microscope imaging them. There is never a dull day in the lab, which is furnished with all sorts of lasers and gadgets. Overall I have been exposed to many experiences I never would have thought possible without my faculty mentor. I am extremely grateful for his support over the past year.”

“I would highly recommend anyone to reach out to professors and ask about their research. From my experience, there are many labs here at 91���� looking for undergraduate researchers, and working in science is a blast. If you have interest in a lab, sometimes it’s just as simple as sending a quick email to get in on a fun project that will contribute to the body of knowledge in your field. Being a part of the research that informs the subject that you’re here at school for oftentimes can bring you closer to your studies. I feel like I am no longer just an observer of the discoveries that I learn about, but I am actively furthering them as well. I would absolutely recommend working in a lab on campus to enrich your own experience at college.”

Jones’ research is focused on “the lived experiences of individuals who are unhoused and/or precariously housed. I define precariously housed as a person who has difficulty maintaining housing or lives with roommates because they might experience homelessness otherwise.  I define people who are unhoused as individuals living outside, in a motel, in a vehicle, in a shelter, or temporary location (like couch surfing).” Jones interviewed 18 precariously housed and unhoused people to talk about their experiences and attempts to find housing in the Bangor area. “The study investigates the socioeconomic barriers affecting precariously housed and/or unhoused people, which may include factors such as wages, work hours, job benefits, healthcare, credit reports, down payments, and rent costs that all impact their ability to secure permanent housing. Furthermore, the research delves into the narratives to examine the consequences of stigmatization on this population, exploring how stigmatization, along with socioeconomic constraints influences participants’ relationship with the public, institutions, family, and community.”

Jones is thankful to both of her faculty mentors, Dr. Brian Pitman and Dr. Ryan LaRochelle, for everything they have done to help her achieve success. “Dr Pitman and Dr. LaRochelle have challenged me to explore new ideas and delve deeper into aspects of my analysis that I might not have considered without their valuable inputs and insights.” She says that even when she did not have complete confidence in her own abilities, her mentors did and encouraged her to keep going. “Their unwavering belief in my potential pushed me to higher standards in my drafts and encouraged me to aim for more than settling for the status quo.”

For those who are thinking of getting involved in research, Jones recommends choosing “a topic that you are genuinely excited and passionate about. […] It is an incredible experience to sit down to write a compelling subtheme based on the insights from my interview transcripts and leaves me feeling invigorated and motivated.” She also advises to surround yourself with people who share your passion. “Having a support network to discuss ideas and share breakthroughs makes the process more enjoyable and helps sustain your excitement for the topic through the long stretches of research.”

Nowadays, Walker is working in faculty mentor Jessica Riccardi’s Brain injury Education and Rehabilitation Lab (BEaR Lab), where she’s focusing on “the impact of driving time on pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) follow-up visit attendance in a rural state.” Walker will be using a retrospective chart to review data of children with TBI. “I will be looking at follow-up appointment attendance and I will also be looking at other variables’ effect on the attendance rate, including injury effect and socioeconomic status. Maine is one of the few states that only has one children’s hospital (Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, ME). Maine is also one of the most rural states, making access to healthcare more difficult to achieve.” Walker hopes that her findings will “provide evidence for more support to rural areas.”

Walker has an important message to share with students across campus: “Research is not just what you imagine: lab coats, beakers and test tubes. Though a lot of research is like that, research is ongoing in almost all areas of study. […] I encourage everyone – even if you are not a STEM major – to look into research opportunities. I have learned so much from conducting and participating in research, and the knowledge has helped me with my academics. Additionally, having mentors has been very beneficial as I have gotten to learn how to maintain a mentor-mentee relationship. Both of my mentors at MaineHealth and 91���� have provided me with an immense amount of knowledge and opportunities in my area of study.”