Maine College of Engineering and Computing /mcec 91 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:25:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Engineering 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.

]]> David Sturm Named Summer 2026 AAPT Fellow /mcec/2026/06/09/david-sturm-named-summer-2026-aapt-fellow/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:56:26 +0000 /mcec/?p=37563 David Sturm, instructional laboratory and lecture demonstration specialist in the University of Maine Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been named a Summer 2026 Fellow of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). The prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to physics education and the AAPT community. Sturm was recognized for decades of leadership, mentorship, and service at both the regional and national levels, helping advance physics teaching and outreach across the country.

Read the to learn more about Sturm’s accomplishments and the AAPT Fellowship.

]]> Emerging Leadership Award /mcec/2026/05/28/emerging-leadership-award/ Thu, 28 May 2026 16:26:40 +0000 /mcec/?p=37437 Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering, Dr. Xiaoxiao Zhao, is the recipient of the 2026 SAMPE North America Young Professional Emerging Leadership Award. The award recognizes Dr. Zhao’s emerging leadership in materials and process engineering, particularly in sustainable surface engineering, multifunctional coatings, and scalable materials processing.

Since joining 91 in 2024, Dr. Zhao has established an active research program focused on fluorine-free omniphobic and superhydrophobic materials, liquid-like polymer brush coatings, nanostructured silica-based coatings, and plasma-enabled processing technologies. His work emphasizes not only fundamental structure–property relationships at surfaces and interfaces, but also manufacturable coating strategies with applications in aerospace, protective materials, environmental, and advanced manufacturing.

His research group is developing durable, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free surface treatments for applications such as icephobic aerospace materials, chemical protective textiles, fluid-handling systems, and PFAS remediation. These projects integrate materials design, surface modification, reactor development, and characterization, while providing graduate and undergraduate students with hands-on training in fabrication, testing, and process optimization.

In the words of Department Chair Rais-Rohani  “Dr. Zhao’s innovative research on PFAS remediation and PFAS-free surface treatments advances global efforts in combating environmental pollution.” The 2026 SAMPE award reflects both Dr. Zhao’s technical contributions and his commitment to advancing sustainable, scalable, and application-driven materials technologies.

]]> 91 Team Meets the Challenge in a Design-Build-Fly Competition /mcec/2026/05/28/umaine-team-meets-the-challenge-in-a-design-build-fly-competition/ Thu, 28 May 2026 14:37:55 +0000 /mcec/?p=37419 91 AIAA Design-Build-Fly (DBF) team spent nearly a full year transforming ideas into an aircraft. Every stage of the process, from conceptual design and aerodynamic analysis to fabrication, testing, crashing, and rebuilding, pushed students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world engineering environment. Competing in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design Build Fly competition means far more than flying an RC airplane; it is an opportunity to compete alongside some of the most talented students in the world. With only around 120 teams invited from hundreds of applicants, qualifying alone is a major achievement that requires professional-level proposals, technical reports, and innovative engineering solutions.

91 students experienced the intensity and excitement of aerospace engineering firsthand this year in Wichita, Kansas. Teams faced high-pressure technical inspections, demanding flight missions, and the constant challenge of adapting under pressure. This year’s tandem-wing aircraft demonstrated the team’s creativity, resilience, and technical skill, especially after recovering from setbacks during competition. Beyond the engineering itself, DBF builds camaraderie, leadership, and lasting connections with students from across the globe who share a passion for aviation. This year’s team captain, Lana Friess noted that “the experience reflects the very best of engineering: perseverance, teamwork, innovation, and learning through hands-on problem solving.” Each year, the 91 AIAA team continues to prove that University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing students can compete on one of the world’s largest collegiate aerospace stages while representing the university with professionalism, determination, and pride. The team’s faculty advisor, Prof. Alex Friess reflected on the AIAA DBF competition by saying “DBF represents a rollercoaster of emotions, teamwork, celebrations and disappointments, perseverance, and truly feeling the embrace of this amazing international AIAA community.  It is an exceptional experience at many levels.  Our 91 AIAA branch and DBF team continue to rise to the occasion, excelling not only technically with innovative designs, but perhaps more importantly as passionate and caring individuals that embody the best of the engineering profession.”

]]> Understanding Aerodynamics Through Flow Visualization /mcec/2026/05/27/understanding-aerodynamics-through-flow-visualization/ Wed, 27 May 2026 12:33:19 +0000 /mcec/?p=37391 This past school year, Elsa Perez Abella, a sophomore mechanical engineering student, participated in a research project at the Aerosystems Dynamics Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz. She focused on improving the efficiency of wind-tunnel based oil film surface flow visualization technique to make it simple, cost effective and an accurate application for aerodynamic flow analysis. She refined the oil film mixture to make it fluorescent under UV light and enhance the detail observable with clear flow patterns. In collaboration with a PhD student, she co-authored a research paper summarizing their methodology and findings, which she presented at the 2026 AIAA Region I Student Conference in Maryland. Elsa describes her experience by saying “My main takeaway was that engineering extends beyond technical knowledge, emphasizing iteration, communication, adaptability to unexpected results, and continuous learning.” In praising her research, Dr. Aboelezz notes “Elsa was a very dedicated undergraduate researcher who showed a strong interest in learning and contributing to the project. She did an excellent job engaging with the research process, and her work reflects both technical growth and professionalism.”

]]> 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior in Mechanical Engineering /mcec/2026/05/27/2026-outstanding-graduating-senior-in-mechanical-engineering/ Wed, 27 May 2026 12:26:56 +0000 /mcec/?p=37377 Katherine (Kat) Grossbelieves herexperience at 91 has been incredibly enriching, challenging, and fun. She says her classes pushed her to expand her creative thinking and technical skills but were well designed to allow her to enjoy her college experience inside and out of the academic sphere. She was able to balance classes with being a teaching assistant, Honors Ambassador, research assistant, and club president while still having time for a social life and hobbies. In her senior year, she also had enough flexibility to complete the capstone project, an Honors thesis, and become a club athlete on the Woodsmen team.

In describing her undergraduate research experience, Kat says “Knowing that faculty and staff are paying attention to students close enough to reach out and invite them to research is something that makes me excited to continue my experience at 91 in the accelerated master’s program in Mechanical Engineering right here at my undergraduate alma mater.” In describing Kat, Dr. Sheila Edalatpour who served as Kat’s research mentor says “Kat is an exceptional student whose intelligence, independence, and perseverance set her apart. While completing an honors thesis, she remained deeply engaged in extracurricular activities and consistently demonstrated the determination, maturity, and work ethic of an outstanding graduate. She does not quit when faced with challenges, and I am very proud to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.”

]]> Francis Crowe Society Honors Excellence at 26th Annual Induction Ceremony /mcec/2026/05/18/francis-crowe-society-honors-excellence-at-26th-annual-induction-ceremony/ Mon, 18 May 2026 17:42:49 +0000 /mcec/?p=37028 The 26th annual Francis Crowe Society Induction Ceremony highlighted a broad range of alumni, faculty, students and leaders whose achievements reflect excellence across engineering, computing, education and industry. The event brought together the Maine College of Engineering and Computing community to recognize professional impact at every stage of the field.

This year’s Distinguished Engineers and Dean’s Distinguished Members represent leadership across academia, research, and industry. Emily A. Haddad was recognized for her extensive leadership in higher education, overseeing academic programs, faculty, and student success initiatives that support thousands of students and a broad general education curriculum across the university. She has also played a crucial role in supporting UMS TRANSFORMS and the early development and momentum of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), helping shape system-level academic innovation and cross-campus collaboration.

Ahmed Aboelezz was honored for his research and teaching in UAV systems, aerodynamics, and bio-inspired flight, supported by extensive externally funded research and a strong commitment to student mentorship. In addition, Aboelezz has demonstrated his commitment to making his research accessible through extensive K–12 outreach and engagement, including student rocket launch activities designed to spark interest in engineering and inspire the next generation of students.

Distinguished engineering alumni and leaders honored this year included Ross Bryant ’98, president and CEO of Fluid Imaging Technologies, recognized for leadership in analytical instrumentation and life sciences innovation; Christopher Gordon ’85, president of Wynn Development for Wynn Resorts, honored for global leadership in large-scale real estate and infrastructure development; Ben Townsend ’08, co-president and owner of Colby Company Engineering, recognized for multidisciplinary engineering consulting leadership; and Robert Monahan ’86, CEO and co-founder of UPPAbaby, honored for engineering-driven innovation in consumer product design and global brand development.

Student recognition highlighted outstanding academic achievement, research and leadership across the college.

Top graduating and outstanding students included Ella Boxall, outstanding graduating student in civil engineering, recognized for work in water resources engineering, sustainability and environmental resilience; Isabelle Irani, University of Maine co-salutatorian in biomedical engineering, recognized for excellence in academics, Division I athletics and research in sustainable biomaterials in the Neivandt Lab; and Karun Varghese, outstanding graduating international student in electrical engineering, recognized for work in robotics, autonomous systems and research across multiple 91 laboratories, as well as leadership and global engagement.

Additional MCEC outstanding students by unit were also recognized, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Kenzie Karpinski (chemical engineering), Ella Boxall (civil and environmental engineering), Chris Persinger (electrical engineering), Karun Varghese (computer engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics), Kat Gross (mechanical engineering) and Katie Fletcher (new media).

The Francis J. Hovey Award recipients were also honored for academic excellence and distinction, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Jacob Levesque (chemical engineering), Joe Thorpe (civil and environmental engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Samuel Bach (electrical and computer engineering) and Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics).

All eligible students in attendance were formally inducted into the Francis Crowe Society, joining a professional community of engineering and computing graduates committed to lifelong learning, service and impact in their fields.

Together, the ceremony reflects the mission of the Francis Crowe Society: to recognize excellence across all stages of the engineering and computing profession and to celebrate the lasting contributions of University of Maine students, alumni and faculty to society.

]]> MCEC Honors Excellence Across Teaching, Research, and Service at 46th Annual Bryand Awards /mcec/2026/05/18/mcec-honors-excellence-across-teaching-research-and-service-at-46th-annual-bryand-awards/ Mon, 18 May 2026 17:37:21 +0000 /mcec/?p=37014 The Maine College of Engineering & Computing recognized outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, and students at the 46th Annual Edward T. Bryand Awards Ceremony, held April 17, 2026, at Buchanan Alumni House. The event brought together faculty, staff, industry partners, students, and families to celebrate individuals whose work and commitment continue to advance the College’s mission.

Dr. David Neivandt – Ashley S. Campbell Award
Dr. David Neivandt is a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at the University of Maine whose research spans interfacial chemistry, biomaterials, and sustainable composites. His work includes innovations in engineered implants, cellulose-based materials, and environmentally friendly composites derived from biological waste. He has contributed to multiple patents and interdisciplinary advances in materials science and biomedical engineering.

Arieana Mangra – Leila C. Lowell Award for Exemplary Staff Support
Arieana Mangra, Director of Student Success and Advising Center, has led a transformation in student support at the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. Under her leadership, the college achieved its highest first- and second-year retention rates in 15 years. She is credited with building an advising program, including a new center, from the ground up and strengthening a proactive, student-centered advising model across the college.

Isaac Sewell – Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Isaac Sewell serves as the sole graduate teaching assistant for the Mechanical Engineering capstone sequence at the University of Maine. He manages grading, course logistics, and materials distribution for more than 80 students, consistently delivering highly organized systems and detailed feedback. His work has significantly improved course efficiency, grade accuracy, and the overall student experience.

Sandro Zier – Graduate Research Assistant Award
Sandro Zier is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine whose research focuses on sustainable materials and scalable manufacturing processes. He has developed roll-to-roll coating systems for cellulose nanofiber applications and pioneered innovative bio-based barrier technologies using fungal mycelium. His work bridges laboratory research and industrial-scale implementation in sustainable packaging.

Dr. Laura Gurney – Early Career Teaching Award
Dr. Laura Gurney is a lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Maine recognized for her commitment to student success and curriculum development. She teaches foundational programming and advanced computing courses while actively supporting student mentorship initiatives and accreditation efforts. Her leadership has contributed to improved student retention and strengthened academic pathways in computing.

Dr. Philip King – Early Career Teaching Award
Dr. Philip King is an early-career mechanical engineering faculty member at the University of Maine specializing in manufacturing engineering education. He has redesigned key courses to incorporate hands-on learning with modern manufacturing technologies and CAD systems. His teaching is consistently highly rated by students and supported by strong engagement in research and graduate mentorship.

Dr. Prabuddha Chakraborty – Early Career Research Award
Dr. Prabuddha Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maine focused on hardware security and trustworthy AI systems. He leads multiple federally funded research projects and has built a nationally recognized research program in secure microelectronics and intelligent systems. His work includes widely published research, patents, and leadership roles in major engineering conferences and journals.

Dr. Amrit Verma – Early Career Research Award
Dr. Amrit Verma is a research leader in offshore wind energy and marine operations at the University of Maine. He founded the Wind Energy and Marine Operations Lab and has secured significant funding for research on wind turbine performance, installation, and digital twin modeling. His work has advanced both experimental testing systems and large-scale offshore wind deployment strategies.

Ashley S. Campbell Award
Recognizes a faculty member for outstanding excellence in teaching, research, and service that has brought distinction to engineering education.

Leila C. Lowell Award for Exemplary Staff Support
Honors staff members who provide exceptional service and support that significantly enhances student success and strengthens the College community.

Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Award
The College’s highest external honor, recognizing individuals whose engineering achievements, leadership, and impact bring distinction to the profession.

Early Career Research Award
Recognizes early-career faculty for exceptional research achievement, innovation, and growing national or international impact.

Early Career Teaching Award
Honors early-career faculty for outstanding and innovative teaching, strong student engagement, and contributions to curriculum and learning.

Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Recognizes graduate students who demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in teaching, mentoring, and supporting undergraduate learning.

Graduate Research Assistant Award
Honors graduate students for outstanding research contributions, creativity, technical excellence, and scholarly impact.

]]> MCEC February Faculty Publications /mcec/2026/03/09/mcec-february-faculty-publications/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:00:26 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=31305 Giovanna Guidoboni

  • Computational Vascular Development Model Explaining Incidence of Notch in Retinopathy of Prematurity with Ultra-Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography
    • 1; 1; 1; 3; 4; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 5; 1; 4; 1
    • 1 Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States 
    • 2 Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
    • 3 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 
    • 4 Maine College of Engineering and Computing, University of Maine, 91, United States
    • 5 National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
  • Correspondence: Benjamin K. Young, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 515 SW Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239, USA; youngbe@ohsu.edu.

      Aaron Gallant

        • Principal Investigator: Aaron Gallant Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Maine
        • Authors: Aaron Gallant; Sebastian Montoya-Vargas; William Davids 
        • Sponsored By: Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
          • Principal Investigator: Aaron Gallant Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Maine
          • Authors: Aaron Gallant; Sk Belal Hossen; Warda Ashraf; Luis Zambrano-Cruzatty; Temitope Omokinde; Andres Espinosa 
          • Sponsored By: Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

          Shaleen Jain

            • Alisha Shrestha, Tora Johnson, Shaleen Jain, and Jessica Jansujwicz
            • Alisha Shrestha University of Maine and Maine Sea Grant, alisha.shrestha1@maine.edu 
            • Tora Johnson Sunrise County Economic Council, tjohnson@sunrisecounty.org 
            • Shaleen Jain University of Maine, shaleen.jain@maine.edu Jessica Jansujwicz Maine Sea Grant, jessica.jansujwicz@maine.edu 

            Caitlin Howell

            • Liquid-infused Silicone Catheters Reduce Fungal Burden and Inflammation in Candidozyma auris Bladder Infections
              • Alyssa Ann La Bella1, Hope Akegbe1, Caitlin Howell2,3, Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado1*, Ana L. Flores-Mireles1*
              • 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
              • 2 Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04669, USA
              • 3 Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04669, USA
              • *Co-corresponding author: afloresm@nd.edu

            Donald Hummels

            • PALLAVI GHIMIRE1 , SAMIP POUDEL1 , MARIKO SHIRAZI2 , DONALD HUMMELS1 , AND REINALDO TONKOSKI1,3 1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA 2Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA 3Chair of Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany Corresponding author: Pallavi Ghimire (e-mail: pallavi.ghimire@ieee.org).

            Lauren Ross

              • Taylor Bailey a, Lauren Ross a, Sean M.C. Smith a b c d, Sohaib Alahmed e
              • a University of Maine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United States of America
              • b University of Maine, School of Earth & Climate Sciences, United States of America
              • c University of Maine, Center for Sustainability Solutions, United States of America
              • d University of Maine, Darling Marine Center, United States of America
              • e Anchor QEA, United States of America
              • Patricio A. Díaz a b, Gonzalo Álvarez c d e f, Iván Pérez-Santos a g, Michael Araya d, Lauren Ross h, Ángela M. Baldrich a, Osvaldo Artal g i, Daniel Varela a, Sergio A. Rosales j, Camila Schwerter a, Camilo Rodríguez-Villegas a, Valentina Iturra k, Manuel Díaz l, Bárbara Cantarero a j, Rosa I. Figueroa m
              • a Centro i∼mar, Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 557, Puerto Montt, Chile
              • b Centro Interdisciplinario para la Investigación Acuícola — Investigación Aplicada (INCAR2), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
              • C Departamento de Acuicultura, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile
              • D Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas (CIDTA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Larrondo 1281, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
              • e Center for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
              • f Centro de Innovación Acuícola AquaPacífico, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile
              • g Center for Oceanographic Research COPAS COASTAL, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
              • h Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
              • i Geodel Laboratory, Departamento de Ingeniería en Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
              • j Programa de Doctorado en Biología y Ecología Aplicada, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile
              • k Departamento de Geofísica, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
              • l Programa de Investigación Pesquera, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile
              • m Centro Oceanografico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390, Vigo, Spain

            Jon Ippolito

              • Essay

            Babak Hejrati

              • by Ines Khiyara 1,*,Ben Sidaway 2 andBabak Hejrati 1
              • 1 Biorobotics and Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
              • 2 School of Physical Therapy, Husson University, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
              • * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
            ]]>                         MCEC January Faculty Publications /mcec/2026/02/04/mcec-january-faculty-publications/ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:38:31 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=31156 Babak Hejrati

              • Ali Faeghinejad,Liam Hawthorne and Babak Hejrati *Biorobotics & Biomechanics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Maine, 75 Long Road, Orono, ME 04469, USA
                *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

            Masoud Rais Rohani

              • Troy Zangle, Brett Ellis and Masoud Rais-Rohani

            David Neivandt

              • by Mahbuba Daizy 1,Yu Zhang 2,Douglas W. Bousfield 1,Ling Li 2,Jinwu Wang 3 andDavid J. Neivandt 1,*
                1 Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, 5737 Jenness Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA, 2 School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA, Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USA
                * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

            Evan Wukcik

              • Sara Maslaczynska-Salome, Arya Ajeev, Theodore Warfle, Behrokh Shams, Colton Duprey, Evan K. Wujcik

            Karissa Tilbury

            • (PREPRINT!!)
              • Jordan N. Miner1, Christopher L. Emmerling1, Joshua D. Hamilton1, Joseph Raite1, Zoe Vittum1, Peter C. Brooks2, Andre Khalil1, Karissa Tilbury1
                1 University of Maine, 2 MaineHealth Institute for Research

            Yifeng Zhu

              • Qiang Zou, Yuhui Deng, Yifeng Zhu, Yi Zhou, Jianghe Cai, Shuibing He, and Lina Ge
            ]]>