News – Maine College of Engineering and Computing /mcec 91¸ŁŔű Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:59:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 MCEC Alumni Honored at 2026 Maine Center Awards /mcec/2026/06/12/engineering-alumni-honored-at-2026-maine-center-awards/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:21:26 +0000 /mcec/?p=37592 Two Maine College of Engineering and Computing alumni were recognized at the 2026 Maine Center Awards, which celebrate outstanding alumni and leaders whose work is driving impact across business, law, policy, engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Barbara Kerr Hamilton ’82 and Kyle Warren ’15 were honored during the annual awards ceremony, which brought together alumni, industry leaders, community partners and university representatives from across Maine.

The Maine Center Awards recognize individuals whose achievements, leadership and commitment to collaboration are helping shape the future of their professions and communities while supporting the next generation of leaders.

This year’s award recipients represented a range of disciplines and institutions, including the University of Maine School of Law, Maine Business School, Maine College of Engineering and Computing, and the Muskie School & Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, as well as the Maine Center Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The Maine College of Engineering and Computing congratulates Barbara Kerr Hamilton and Kyle Warren on this recognition and thanks the Maine Center and its partners for celebrating the accomplishments of Maine alumni.

]]> NCEES Awards Funds to 91¸ŁŔű for Working Surveyors to Continue Their Surveying Education /mcec/2026/01/20/ncees-awards-funds-to-umaine-for-working-surveyors-to-continue-their-surveying-education/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:55:00 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30931 91¸ŁŔű’s Surveying Engineering Technology program has been awarded $100,000 in scholarships from the NCEES Foundation to support working surveyors pursuing their education. The program serves more than 400 students across 45 states, with 96% studying online while advancing their careers in surveying. Students are enrolled in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, all designed to prepare them for professional licensure and leadership in the field.

These scholarships will provide $1,000 awards to one hundred  deserving undergraduate students, helping them continue their studies, achieve licensure, and advance in their surveying careers. 

To learn more about the Survey Engineering Technology program, visit our website.

Contact: Taylor Ward,taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> Distinguished Lecturer Series – Dr. Raymond Pettit /mcec/2025/11/19/distinguished-lecturer-series-dr-raymond-pettit/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:31:21 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30479

Broadening the Dimensions of AI Application: Implications for Commerce, Industry, and Education

Date:ĚýDec 4, 2025 | Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm | Location:ĚýFerland Welcome Center

Biography: 

Dr. Raymond Pettit has blended a 20+ year career as an advanced analytic consultant and trainer in business and industry with academic appointments at UCSD, UNH, and Northeastern University. Most recently he was named Director of the Institute for Experiential AI housed at the Roux Institute in Portland, ME.Ěý Currently, Ray is Chief AI Officer at Neuro-AI Design, where he has created and curated course, curriculum, practicums and workshops on the foundations and principles of AI; AI + Leadership; Practical Applications of AI; and the Statistical Foundations of AI. In addition, he co-created and is co-teaching AI and Marketing at The College of NJ in the winter, 2026 semester.

Ray is a proud alum of the U of Michigan and the U of Illinois, where he received his doctoral degree in 1996.

]]> Electronics for Extreme Environments: 91¸ŁŔű Pushes Sensors Beyond Limits /mcec/2025/11/12/electronics-for-extreme-environments-umaine-pushes-sensors-beyond-limits/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:53:00 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30406

ORONO, Maine — Imagine sensors that don’t just survive extreme heat — they turn it into power. University of Maine engineers have built a simple wireless circuit that can operate from room temperature to more than 550 degrees Fahrenheit, opening the door to rugged, self-powered monitoring systems in environments such as jet engines, oil wells and spacecraft.

In a breakthrough with sweeping industrial implications, 91¸ŁŔű researchers designed a minimalist oscillator that enables sensors toĚý transmit critical data wirelessly in environments where people, and conventional electronics, cannot survive.

“This work is important because of the potential applications, especially in terms of industrial safety. Not only does constant monitoring in industrial applications allow for more efficient operation with minimal production time loss, but it maximizes safety for human operators by removing the possibility of a surprise failure” said lead author Jude Zanoni, an electrical engineering graduate student and lead author on the study. “By using commercial components, we also demonstrated a potential avenue for cheap development of this technology.”

The research contributes to solving a decades-old problem: how to keep electronics stable in extreme heat without complex biasing, bulky power supplies or fragile components. Traditional silicon devices fail well below 300 degrees, forcing industry to rely on expensive, short-lived or wired systems in high-temperature operations. 91¸ŁŔű’s solution is different — a single-supply oscillator built with one silicon carbide transistor, delivering more than 12 dBm of output power to extend detection range and reliability.

“This is about building electronics that don’t just survive the heat, they could make it useful,” Zanoni. “The circuit produces the same amount of power as a pair of Bluetooth earbuds — but it keeps working at more than 570 degrees Fahrenheit.”

By reducing parts and stabilizing operation under uniform high-temperature testing, the 91¸ŁŔű circuit produced up to nine times the power of previous designs at room temperature and nearly doubled at nearly 500 degrees. In practical terms, that’s like turning a walkie-talkie that only works across your yard into one that can reach across your neighborhood. At extreme heat, it still boosts detection range by about 50 percent, meaning problems can be spotted earlier and from farther away. Because the design can be paired with thermoelectric generators, these sensors could power themselves from the very heat they monitor, which eliminates the need for batteries or wires and makes them easier to deploy in remote or dangerous places.

Zanoni, originally from Lubec, Maine, came to 91¸ŁŔű where he participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program introducing him to this research. He continued on to complete his undergraduate Honor’s Thesis on this topic and will continue to study  high temperature, harsh environment sensing in pursuit of a PhD at 91¸ŁŔű. 

The research, demonstrating robust modeling and successful fabrication under realistic harsh-environment testing, was recently published in IEEE Access under the title “”

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> Guidoboni appointed Interim Vice President For Research, will continue as MCEC DeanĚý /mcec/2025/11/04/guidoboni-appointed-interim-vice-president-for-research-will-continue-as-mcec-dean/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:54:50 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30130 Guidoboni appointed Interim Vice President For Research, will continue as MCEC Dean 

91¸ŁŔű has appointed Giovanna Guidoboni as interim vice president for research while she continues to serve as the inaugural dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). In this dual leadership role, Guidoboni will help fosterĚýeducation, research, and innovation at the University of Maine while strengthening collaboration across the University of Maine System and state.

As dean of MCEC, Guidoboni leads one of the university’s largest academic units, home to more than 2,600 students and a key driver of the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative, a systemwide effort to expand engineering and computing education, research and workforce development in Maine. Under her leadership, the college has bridged disciplines, strengthened research and innovation,  fostered statewide partnerships, modernized labs and built new buildings to prepare the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. 

In her interim vice-presidential role, Guidoboni will oversee 91¸ŁŔű’s research enterprise, support faculty and student scholarship, and build new opportunities for collaboration with industry, government and community partners. Her appointment reflects 91¸ŁŔű’s continued commitment to advancing discovery and innovation that serve Maine and the world.

A world-renowned expert in ocular biomechanics and mathematical modeling, Guidoboni directs the Laboratory for Computational and Mathematical Modeling in Medicine, Engineering and Technology (CoMET Lab) at 91¸ŁŔű. Her research combines mathematics, physics and engineering to understand ocular diseases such as glaucoma, using computational tools to explore the connections between fluid dynamics, vision loss and intraocular pressure. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and European Commission.

“My passion has always been connecting people and ideas across fields to make something greater than any one discipline alone,” Guidoboni said. “I believe everyone should have access to research whether they are students just beginning their journey or faculty leading major projects. Together we can continue to grow a culture of innovation as a learner-centered R1 institution that reaches every corner of the University and beyond.”

Guidoboni joined 91¸ŁŔű in 2023 after serving as associate dean for research and professor of mathematics, electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Missouri. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and a master’s in engineering of materials from the University of Ferrara in Italy. Guidoboni is an Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and holds a joint faculty position at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NY).

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> When engineering, medicine and artificial intelligence see as one, vision takes place /mcec/2025/10/20/when-engineering-medicine-and-artificial-intelligence-see-as-one-vision-takes-place/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:01:15 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29965

Oct. 17 marked the inaugural meeting of the Society for Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (SAIVO), a new global organization bringing together leaders in artificial intelligence, vision science and clinical care. During the meeting, the journal entitled Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (AIVO) — cofounded and edited by Maine College of Engineering and Computing Dean Giovanna Guidoboni — was officially announced as the society’s journal of record, marking an important step in advancing the safe, ethical and effective use of AI in eye and vision research.

AIVO is the first international journal exclusively dedicated to the convergence of AI and vision science. It provides a first-of-its-kind platform for interdisciplinary research spanning ophthalmology, optometry, computer science, physics, clinical science, mathematics, engineering and physiology to improve understanding and treatment of the visual system. 

“Over the last decade, AI has moved from a computational curiosity to a clinical necessity, and this journal stands on the front lines leading that transition,” Guidoboni said. 

The journal dates back to 2014, when the Journal for Modeling in Ophthalmology (JMO) was founded by Guidoboni; Alon Harris, professor of ophthalmology, professor of artificial intelligence and human health, Co-Director of the Barry Family Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence & Human Health at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Simon Bakker, managing director of Kugler Publications, to promote mathematical and computational modeling in ophthalmology. Based on the growing relevance and rapidly expanding role of AI in vision science, JMO evolved into Modeling and Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology in 2021, then transitioned to its current title, AIVO.

At the time, most mathematical and computational approaches to vision did not neatly fit into existing research or publishing categories. Recognizing that along with the need for a new vision and new mathematics to understand biological and clinical systems, a new venue for these ideas to converge needed to be created. The journal was founded to be a place where research at the crossroads of disciplines could be shared.  

“The transformation from JMO to AIVO represents more than a name change.​​ It mirrors the evolution and interdisciplinary nature of our field,” said Guidoboni, who also serves as editor-in-chief. 

The formation of SAIVO adds to the momentum. Established independently by researchers and clinicians worldwide, SAIVO encourages collaboration and transparency in AI applications for ocular care. Its partnership with AIVO creates a natural alignment between technology, the people advancing science, research and the platform sharing it, thereby creating a unique environment to move innovation forward.  

“This journal and SAIVO were born from the same need to bring together the people researching and the platform needed to share research,” said Harris. “With SAIVO and AIVO now formally aligned, the field has both a home for collaboration and a voice for discovery.”

Published by Kugler Publications under the leadership of Managing Director Simon Bakker, AIVO features an international and interdisciplinary editorial board of leaders in ophthalmology, AI, and computational modeling. 

“Our shared goal has always been to elevate the field through quality, but always focusing on accessibility,” said Bakker. “AIVO’s partnership with SAIVO creates a powerful bridge between cutting-edge research and the global community working to apply it. Especially in an inherently interdisciplinary field that didn’t have a natural publishing fit.”

For Guidoboni and Harris, the journal’s interdisciplinary mission reflects their own research philosophy and work using engineering, physics, mathematics and AI to model complex biological systems from the eye to the cardiovascular and urinary systems. Each holds a faculty appointment at the other’s university, reflecting their ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration  Their research group was the first to quantify retinal venous susceptibility to collapse due to blood and intraocular pressure, later validated in a population study of nearly 20,000 eyes in Singapore, and to develop digital twins of both the eye and the lower urinary tract.

“The human body is one of the greatest engineers of all,” said Guidoboni. “My passion for research and for inspiring the next generation of scientists comes from seeing how technology, physics, and biology converge to help people. This journal is the ultimate embodiment of this collaborative, cross-disciplinary vision.”

Through her leadership at 91¸ŁŔű, Guidoboni continues to expand access to research opportunities for Maine students at all levels, emphasizing the human side of AI and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration including bringing high school students to international conferences — meeting with Harris and other industry leaders. The partnership between AIVO and SAIVO represents a defining moment for the global vision science community—one that unites people, purpose, and innovation to shape the future of artificial intelligence in vision and ophthalmology.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> 91¸ŁŔű-led project takes high school research from Bangor classroom to global research stage /mcec/2025/10/16/umaine-led-project-takes-high-school-research-from-bangor-classroom-to-global-research-stage/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:46:48 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29842

It’s not every day that high school students present their research on a global scale and see their names in an international research journal. But thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of Maine, students at John Bapst Memorial High School are now published co-authors in the Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The paper, ,” describes how 21 high school students joined researchers from 91¸ŁŔű, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and North Carolina State University to explore how blood pressure and intraocular pressure interact in the eye. Working in 91¸ŁŔű’s labs alongside faculty, students built a hydraulics-based model to simulate glaucoma progression, presented their findings at a global vision science conference, which ultimately was published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

“This effort shows how connecting science, technology and people can spark interest in real-world problem solving while building the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow,” said Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and principal investigator.

The project brought together high schoolers, 91¸ŁŔű students, and faculty from engineering, mathematics and ophthalmology, along with collaborators nationwide. It also acknowledged UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in the University of Maine System, underscoring the role of statewide initiatives in elevating Maine’s research and education mission.

For students, the experience was transformative. They spoke of discovering the real-world power of math, forging mentorships with faculty and graduate students, and accessing resources far beyond the high school classroom. Several chose to continue their research at 91¸ŁŔű providing this type of research creates a direct pipeline from high school to higher education. 

I think it’s amazing that 91¸ŁŔű has put such an emphasis on giving students at all levels access to this type of experience,” said Kevin Real, lead author on the paper. ”We really are working as a part of a team alongside world-renowned researchers…it’s pretty special.”

At a time when STEM competency among U.S. high school students is in steady decline, this project offers a bold model: one that gives young learners a seat at the research table, connects science and people in meaningful ways, and shows that Maine students can compete and publish on the global stage. This project also reflects how initiatives like UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in the University of Maine System, are strengthening the state’s competitiveness nationally and internationally.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> MCEC September 2025 Faculty Publications /mcec/2025/10/14/mcec-september-2025-faculty-publications/ Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:51:55 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29820 Caitlin Howell: 

  • Ěý

Mauricio Pereira Da Cunha: 

Mehdi Tajvidi: 

  • Ěý

Kimberly Huguenard: 

Lauren Ross: 

Evan Wujcik:

  • Ěý

Donald Hummels: 

Onur Apul: 

Babak Hejrati: 

Senthil Vel: 

Amrit Verma: 

Eric Landis: 

]]> Exploring Transportation Careers in Maine /mcec/2025/10/08/exploring-transportation-careers-in-maine/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:25:21 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29571

Friday, September 26th, Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rebecca Bian, hosted Transportation+, an event for University of Maine System (UMS) students exploring Maine’s transportation systems and career opportunities.

The morning session included a field trip to the Maine Department of Transportation headquarters in Augusta, where students met with staff from multiple departments, including Research & Innovation, Regional Programs, Environmental, Highway, Bridge, Traffic, Multimodal, and Mobility Engineering and Analysis. Students also visited the MaineDOT Transportation Management Center for a brief overview of operations. The tour offered insight into the day-to-day work of engineers and planners, as well as career paths, internships, and co-op opportunities.

The lunch session included networking opportunities with MCEC Dean Giovanna Guidoboni in attendance, followed by 10-minute presentations from transportation professionals about their roles in the industry. Topics included applying new techniques for using weather data in engineering projects, Maine’s signal and roadway systems, and advances in resilient and sustainable design. The majority of presenters were 91¸ŁŔű alumni, and the session gave students practical insights into careers in transportation and infrastructure from both regional and national perspectives.


“This event connects students with transportation professionals in Maine to learn more about their company, institution or agency, ongoing projects, their work and emerging technologies,” Bian said. “I am hoping the deep-dive learning experience can help students meaningfully link what they are learning in a classroom setting with future career opportunities, which motivates them to achieve academic excellence for their own career goals. It is also exciting to find out that student attendees are sharing the same feeling and want to see more events like this in the future.”

  • MCEC students and faculty gather outside for a group photo at Maine DOT Headquarters
  • Students engage in a workshop session with working professionals, learning about career opportunities in engineering and computing.
  • MCEC faculty Rebecca Bian greets members of the MCEC community.
  • Dean Guidoboni talks with students, offering guidance and advice.
  • Students meet with industry representatives at the Transportation+ event.
  • Students explore opportunities with local firms at MCEC.
  • Dean Guidoboni addresses attendees, highlighting MCEC’s student programs and resources.
  • MCEC faculty, Rebecca Bian looks on at a successful event.
  • Students engage in a presentation, learning about career opportunities in engineering and computing
  • Signage highlights the MCEC event, welcoming students and faculty to the session.
  • Dean Guidoboni talks with students, offering guidance and advice.
  • Students converse with peers and faculty.

The trip was funded by UMS TRANSFORMS, including seed grants aimed at exposing students to career and research opportunities in Maine’s transportation sector. Bian acknowledged support from her new colleague, Hao Liu, Assistant Professor of Transportation Engineering, who helped lead the morning portion of the event, and thanked MaineDOT for hosting and sharing their expertise.

91¸ŁŔű also thanks its partners — Acorn Engineering, Inc. ; ASCE NOAA Task Force ; GoMaine ; HNTB Corporation ; Kleinfelder ; Sargent ; Sebago Technics, Inc. ; Thornton Tomasetti ; and VHB — for sharing their expertise, and to Dr. Bian and UMS TRANSFORMS for supporting the experience.

]]> MCEC director of research and strategic partnerships Ron Roy elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering /mcec/2025/09/25/mcec-director-of-research-and-strategic-partnerships-ron-roy-elected-fellow-of-the-royal-academy-of-engineering/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:59:43 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29114 Ronald A. Roy, director of research and strategic partnerships for the University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), has been elected a , one of the highest professional honors for engineers in the United Kingdom.

Roy is one of 74 leaders in engineering and technology worldwide elected to the academy this year. Fellowship recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering, advancing the profession through innovation, research and leadership.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is the U.K.’s national academy for engineering. Its fellowship, known as FREng, includes more than 1,700 of the world’s most accomplished engineers. Members advise policymakers, promote innovation and education, and help shape solutions to global challenges.

A Maine native and 1981 graduate of 91¸ŁŔű in engineering physics, Roy has held academic and research appointments across the United States and abroad. He earned advanced degrees at the University of Mississippi and Yale University before serving as chair of mechanical engineering at Boston University. In 2013, he was appointed professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Oxford, where he later served as head of the Department of Engineering Science from 2019 to 2024.

His research spans physical acoustics, ultrasonics and biomedical applications, with international recognition for advancing the understanding of bubble dynamics and acoustic wave propagation. Roy is also a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and recipient of its Helmholtz-Rayleigh Interdisciplinary Silver Medal.

Roy joined 91¸ŁŔű’s MCEC earlier this year as director of research and strategic partnerships.

“This fellowship is a supreme honor,” Roy said. “It recognizes not only individual accomplishments, but also the power of engineering collaboration across disciplines and continents.”

The 2025 class of fellows will be formally admitted at a ceremony on Nov. 18 in London.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu 

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