Institute of Medicine affiliated faculty support undergraduate research
91福利鈥檚 Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) has announced the 2024-25 academic year fellowship awardees. This year鈥檚 awards were supported by CUGR, Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Maine EPSCoR office (through an NSF award), EPIC program, and 91福利 Space (through a Maine Space Grant Consortium [MSGC] award).
The CUGR Research and Creative Activities fellowships were developed to enhance and increase undergraduate student involvement in faculty-supervised research and are supported through the office of the Vice President for Research. Each fellowship provides $3,000 per student for costs associated with the project.
The 2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards help provide research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in aerospace technology, space science, human exploration and space development, Earth science and other science- or engineering-related fields. The focus of proposed projects funded by the fellowships must be aligned with the research priorities of NASA鈥檚 Earth and space science strategic enterprises. Selected projects will be awarded up to $3,000 each.
Among the awarded projects, 18 were led by Institute of Medicine affiliated faculty:
2024-25 Academic Year CUGR Research and Creative Activities Fellowship聽
- Elaina Cote, Molecular and Cellular Biology, 鈥淯sing Paralyzation Assays to Assess the Function of Periactive Zone Proteins at the Neuronal Synapse in C. elegans,鈥 advised by Zhao Xuan
- Gabriella Giftos, Microbiology, 鈥淓xamining the Role of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in JC Polyomavirus Infection of Primary Kidney Cells,鈥 advised by Melissa Maginnis
2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Research Experience
- Michael Sabol, Electrical Engineering, 鈥淢emristor Creation and Characteristics,鈥 advised by Rosemary Smith
2024-25 Academic Year EPIC Research and Creative Activities Fellowships
- Emily Benson, Communication Sciences and Disorders, 鈥淪ocial, Communication, and Quality of Life Outcomes in Adulthood after Childhood Brain Injury,鈥 advised by Jessica Riccardi
- Ben Curtis, Biochemistry, 鈥淰alidating a Novel Drug Screen and Candidate Drugs Against Influenza A Infection in Zebrafish,鈥 advised by Benjamin King
- Shengxiang Gao, Psychology, 鈥淎 Methodology Study Comparing Vasomotor Reactivity Values From 30 Second and 15 Second Breath Hold Challenge Using Transcranial Doppler,鈥 advised by Fayeza Ahmed
- Anthony Mavilia, Psychology, 鈥淭he Role of the MIND Diet in Mitigating Cognitive Decline: Exploring Dietary Influence on Cognitive Health Among Middle-Aged Adults in Maine,鈥 advised by Fayeza Ahmed
- Myla Schneider, Biology, 鈥淭he Evaluation of Paroxetine and Cetirizine Combination in JC Polyomavirus Infection,鈥 advised by Melissa Maginnis
2024-25 Academic Year NSF Research Fellowships
- Seth Ashby, Microbiology, 鈥淒etermining Essential Genes Contributing to the Regulation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),鈥 advised by Suzanne Angeli
- Hailey Blanchette, Communication Sciences and Disorders, 鈥淯nderstanding Maine鈥檚 Community Health Worker Workforce Needs & Perspectives,鈥 advised by Jessica Riccardi and Katherine Darling
- Sydney Brown, Molecular and Cellular Biology, 鈥淓valuation of cellular calcium flux in response to JC Polyomavirus infection,鈥 advised by Melissa Maginnis
- Skyler Caljkusich, Biology, 鈥淐ardiorespiratory Fitness in Young Adults: Insights from Self-Reported Activity and Cognitive Outcomes,鈥 advised by Fayeza Ahmed
- Sophie Dean, Communication Sciences and Disorders, 鈥淩efinement and Pilot of an App-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment of Fatigue in Children with a History of Brain Injury,鈥 advised by Jessica Riccardi
- Abigail Huchel, Kinesiology and Physical Education, 鈥淲hy do Some People Exercise and Some Don鈥檛? Understanding Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity,鈥 advised by Rebecca MacAulay
- Benjamin Hunt, Biology, 鈥淎n Investigation of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms Associated with cat-4 Gene Mutations via their Impact on Clarinet (CLA-1) Localization,鈥 advised by Zhao Xuan
- Griffin Lawrence, Microbiology, 鈥淎n Investigation of Group B Streptococcus and Candida albicans Growth In Biological Nutrients,鈥 advised by Melody Neely
- Jasper Makowski, Microbiology, 鈥淐haracterization of the role of L-type calcium channels in BK Polyomavirus infection,鈥 advised by Melissa Maginnis
- Melisa Matonsi, Biochemistry, 鈥淚dentifying Key Genes for the Prolongation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),鈥 advised by Suzanne Angeli
The full list of awardees is available on聽.