At MCEC, the initiative has accelerated progress in advising, curriculum design, artificial intelligence education, statewide partnerships and K-12 outreach. The work aligns engineering and computing education with Maine’s workforce needs while building clearer pathways from classrooms to careers.

Collaboration across UMS TRANSFORMS pillars — including the Maine Center, Student Success and Retention and 91���� Athletics — has supported expanded programming, shared resources and coordinated statewide engagement. Together, these efforts show how UMS TRANSFORMS investments are improving student success, program growth and workforce alignment.

“Across Maine, we know the demand for talent, innovation and opportunity is continuing to grow,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of 91���� and the University of Maine at Machias. “We’re able to meet that need through strategic investments supported by UMS TRANSFORMS that are creating new opportunities in engineering and computing.”

Student success and retention improve

A redesigned advising model has contributed to MCEC’s highest retention rate in more than a decade. The model integrates academic guidance, community support and career preparation into a system that supports students from enrollment through graduation. By treating advising as an ongoing experience rather than a single service, MCEC has created a more consistent structure to help students navigate academics, belonging and career readiness.

Curriculum redesign is also producing gains. A first-year biomedical engineering course, updated through a UMS TRANSFORMS seed grant, introduced hands-on learning earlier. Students engaged in:

• Cell culture.
• Biomaterials testing.
• Microscopy.
• Data analysis.
• Experimental design.

The results are clear:

• Students report stronger confidence in their abilities.
• A 25% improvement in communication and critical thinking skills.
• A 3% increase in semester-to-semester retention.

These outcomes reflect a shift toward learner-centered instruction supporting academic achievement and long-term success. Another indicator of this is a 16% increase in year two retention in pre-engineering.

MCEC is also building long-term capacity through a faculty development initiative that supports doctoral students as they teach and mentor, strengthening the pipeline of future educators and reinforcing a culture of student-centered learning.

Expansion of AI and future-focused research-inspired programs

MCEC has expanded its academic portfolio to meet demand in emerging fields, particularly artificial intelligence and technology-driven industries. New offerings include:

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science and business.
• An online Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence certificate for undergraduate and graduate learners.
• Programs in ocean engineering and maritime digitalization tied to Maine’s growing blue economy.

These programs connect students to areas such as digital twins, cyber-physical systems and next-generation infrastructure, helping ensure graduates are prepared for modern industry.

In partnership with Student Success and Retention, AI-powered course chatbots provide students with course-specific academic support, increasing access to assistance outside classroom hours.

“Engineering and computing education must evolve as quickly as the world we live in,” said Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. “Our goal is not simply to add programs, but to build partnerships and sustainable systems of opportunity that connect students, research and industry in ways that benefit our students and Maine.”

Investments in Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) and classroom modernization have expanded opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in hands-on learning while gaining familiarity with the research process.

Statewide pathways and partnerships grow

UMS TRANSFORMS has expanded MCEC’s reach across Maine through multicampus programs and partnerships that are creating more flexible educational pathways. Over the past three years, MCEC has developed:

• Accelerated pathways from bachelor’s to master’s degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering between the University of Southern Maine (USM) and 91����.
• A pre-engineering program at 91���� and 91���� Machias.
• Expanded computing collaborations across all campuses of the University of Maine System.
• The CharisMATHic Research Learning Experience, connecting students across disciplines through shared coursework and experiences at 91���� and USM.

Efforts to reduce barriers for community college students have also advanced. Articulation agreements with Southern Maine Community College have been formalized, and pre-engineering pathways provide clear routes into four-year programs.

MCEC’s presence at the Maine Center has strengthened these connections. As a hub for interdisciplinary graduate education and collaboration across business, law, policy and engineering, the Maine Center is creating opportunities for students to engage with industry partners, alumni and employers while expanding access for learners in southern Maine.

K-12 outreach expands statewide pipeline

Efforts to build Maine’s workforce are reaching students earlier through a K-12 outreach strategy. Over the past three years, MCEC has engaged more than 1,600 students through:

• 99 STEM Exploration Day field trips.
• 15 summer camps.
• Additional on-campus, hybrid and in-school programs.

These initiatives have reached 15 of Maine’s 16 counties, expanding access to engineering and computing education across the state.

Teacher professional development programs, international VEX Robotics competitions and hands-on training opportunities have extended that impact. Educators are gaining tools in robotics, coding and advanced materials and bringing those experiences back to classrooms across Maine, strengthening the STEM pipeline.

Collaboration with 91���� Athletics has also supported the design of facilities capable of hosting large-scale K-12 STEM events, competitions and community programming and the creation of a sports technology minor in partnership with the Maine Business School.

Facilities and infrastructure support growth

UMS TRANSFORMS has supported infrastructure investments, including:

• Dedicated student success spaces.
• New interdisciplinary laboratories and classroom spaces.
• Plans to modernize legacy buildings to support research and education.

In fall 2026, 91���� is scheduled to open the GEM building, a facility designed to integrate research, teaching and industry collaboration. The space will support convergent manufacturing and provide students with opportunities to engage in applied learning environments that reflect industry settings.

UMS TRANSFORMS has also boosted MCEC’s reputation as a learner-centered elite program ranking among the top 100 graduate engineering schools by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong growth across several programs. With the UMS TRANSFORMS investment, electrical and computer engineering enrollment has risen 40%. That includes a particularly significant expansion in the Ph.D. program, which increased from five to 32 students — a more than 500% gain. Mechanical engineering enrollment grew by 19%, while surveying engineering technology saw a 63% increase in enrollment. The surveying program has also earned national distinction, receiving annual awards from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying every year since the honor was established in 2016.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in just three years,” Guidoboni said. “Through UMS TRANSFORMS and the continued investment of the Harold Alfond Foundation, the University of Maine and the University of Maine System are positioned to be global leaders attracting and retaining top talent in Maine. We will continue to think bigger, think more broadly and use these resources to catalyze meaningful change.” 

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

Miner, a 91���� Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering, is researching breast cancer cell dormancy in bone marrow at the Cancer Research Center of Lyon. These dormant cells can evade chemotherapy and are a major factor in cancer recurrence and poor prognosis. A deeper understanding of this process could reveal new therapeutic opportunities to prevent relapse in patients. 

Miner’s work — part of her dissertation — was made possible after she earned fellowships from two of the most prestigious international research awards available to U.S. students: the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and the STEM Chateaubriand Fellowship.

Outside the lab, Miner is immersing herself in French culture through her love for sports and the outdoors. She is skiing; practicing karate, of which she is a third-degree black belt; attending local events; and exploring the city’s museums, food offerings and historical sites. 

When she found out she was a Fulbright finalist, Miner was attending a research conference in Lucca, Italy.

“It was after dinner, and I was chatting with some friends I had met at the conference when I received an email that a notification was posted to my portal. I announced it to the group, and they all gathered around me as I nervously but eagerly logged in to see that I had been accepted,” Miner said. “The entire group celebrated with me and started sharing recommendations of all the amazing things I should experience during my trip abroad.”

At 91����, Miner is a member of CompuMAINE, overseen by Andre Khalil, professor of biomedical engineering, and associate professor of bioengineering Karissa Tilbury’s lab. She was also a Maine Top Scholar and outstanding graduating student for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing during her undergraduate career. 

Miner has been conducting research since her first year of college. The research, which focussed on the potential benefits of electrical stimulation for Duchenne muscular dystrophy using zebrafish models, was in collaboration with professor of biological sciences Clarissa Henry’s lab. 

Originally from the small town of East Baldwin, Maine, Miner said that growing up around nature sparked both an adventurous spirit in her and curiosity about the world. When she learned about opportunities to conduct research abroad, she knew it was something she wanted to pursue. After attending an information session about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program hosted by the Office of Major Scholarships in March 2024, she realized this was the perfect path for her. 

Employers say 91���� graduates bring dedication to the Pine Tree State, leadership skills and versatility that set them apart — and they’re hiring accordingly.

That demand was clear at 91���� Career Center’s annual Engineering and Computing Job Fair, where more than 150 companies turned out to recruit students and alumni.

It coincides with increased interest in these fields among Black Bears. Enrollment in 91���� engineering and computing programs — housed within the Maine College of Engineering and Computing — has grown 5% over the past five years.

Skills and dedication beyond the classroom

“They have the skills,” said Josh Hinds, senior manager software engineer at Tyler Technologies. “We’re looking for what a student has done on their own, outside of the classroom. 91���� students bring the dedication and Maine culture we’re looking for.”

91���� is meeting employer demand, conferring 33% more undergraduate and graduate engineering and computing degrees than it did five years ago. That increase stands out to local businesses like Versant Power, which offers a wide variety of positions and internships.

“We offer electric and mechanical engineering positions, along with IT and customer service careers,” said Todd Gilley, talent acquisition specialist at Versant. “91���� students stand out. We had 18 college interns last summer, and 17 of them were from 91����.”

Independence and initiative drive success

Recruiters pointed to a common trait: 91���� students have initiative and independence that make them valuable employees.

“It’s authenticity,” said Whitney Bouchard, a 2013 91���� graduate and project engineer at CMA Engineers Inc. “91���� has integrity while teaching their students, and that translates into their work.”

Maine authenticity and culture have become core values for many of these companies as more of the state’s future leaders leave after graduation.

“We’re looking for people who want to stay within the state, which is usually 91���� students,” said Mackenzie Randall, university recruiter at Garmin. “When we hire them, we typically know that they’re going to stay.”

A strong connection to Maine’s future

That aligns with the university’s 83% retention rate among degree-seeking students — a statistic that doesn’t go unnoticed by employers.

“91���� students are dedicated to Maine’s progress,” said Holden Rodzen, a senior at 91���� and intern at Central Maine Power. “They work toward advancement with open communication and open goals.”

Employers will return to Orono on Feb. 11 for the 2026 91���� Career Fair — the largest in the state — held annually for 91���� and University of Maine at Machias students and alumni, students from other universities and the general public.

Story by Mello Vancil, news intern.

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

The fair, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants, is hosted by the Career Center, in conjunction with the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, so students and alumni can learn about engineering and computing firms in Maine, New England and throughout the country; meet company representatives; and find job opportunities for after graduation or on-the-job experience through an internship. 

Participants should register online, create a Career Link profile and upload their resume prior to the event. They are also encouraged to download the “Symplicity Jobs and Careers” app available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play, which will allow them to filter participating employers by available positions and preferred majors.

Students attending the event are advised to dress professionally, bring resumes, prepare a 30-second introductory pitch and research the companies they plan to engage. Career Center staff also are available to help with resume updates and to provide tips for successful interviewing. 

Students who will be driving to the event are asked to park in the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) and Belgrade lots. A free event shuttle from the CCA to the New Balance Student Recreation Center will be running throughout the day. No parking will be available at the New Balance Student Recreation Center. 

Tyler Technologies is a platinum partner for the event, and CPM Constructors is a gold partner. Underwriters include Haley & Aldrich, Procter & Gamble, E.S. Boulos Co., Landry/French Construction, 1820 Spirits and VALT Enterprizes Inc.

More information, including a list of the companies scheduled to attend, is on the Career Center website.

The app, developed by Jon Ippolito, a professor of new media at the University of Maine, was unveiled June 25 as a part of an initiative to engage faculty and students in projects that lead to healthier communities and ecosystems. Ippolito created “What Uses More” out of a personal frustration with what he described as the “polarized takes on AI and the environment.”

“The purpose of this app is not to provide definitive measures of AI energy and water use; the industry is notoriously tight-lipped about its footprint,” Ippolito said. “Instead, the goal is to help you visualize the environmental impact of what you do online, as well as to learn how factors like where you live or the type of prompt can dramatically influence the footprint of both AI and non-AI tasks.”

The app characterizes the impact of using AI to generate text, images and videos in relatable units like lightbulb-minutes for energy, which are equivalent to an incandescent bulb running for a minute, and cubic centimeters for water, which are comparable to a raindrop. 

Users can also compare energy and water consumption between using AI and other technology. For example, asking AI to create a three-second video can consume 25 times as much energy as charging a smartphone and twice as much as an hour-long Zoom call with ten people. Additionally, users can manipulate various parameters, such as the data center’s power source and the climate of its location, to observe how these choices impact energy and water usage. 

This tangible representation aims to make abstract environmental impacts more comprehensible to a wider audience. Helping users compare and contrast the impact of online activities amid their unique circumstances can lead to a more informed approach to responsible AI use. 

“We’ve designed this tool to be less of a calculator and more of a conversation starter.” said Ippolito. “Teachers can customize scenarios by region and energy source, while students can see how small shifts — a ChatGPT lookup versus a plain Google search, or an image drawn in Illustrator versus one generated by Midjourney — can lead to different footprints.”

The app has already attracted more than 2,500 unique visitors from 39 countries, demonstrating growing public interest in the often-hidden environmental costs of technology.  

Looking ahead, Ippolito plans to expand the app to include the environmental footprint of more everyday activities, like driving a car or eating a hamburger, providing a broader context to AI’s impact. He also aims to develop custom versions of the app for iPhone and Android, and is interested in collaborating with 91���� students on these future iterations. 

This work aligns with his broader research into the impact of AI on creators — including writers, programmers and media makers — and seeks to illuminate the often-overlooked environmental costs in discussions about artificially generated or synthetic media. The project is part of the Stillwater Lab’s Ripple Initiative at 91����, which is co-directed by Ippolito and aims to bridge academic knowledge with local economic and ecological needs.

Ippolito’s research contributes to the university-wide , which connects researchers, educators and industry partners through webinars and the annual Maine AI Conference to advance responsible artificial intelligence innovation that benefits Maine and beyond.

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

Gayle Kraus, professor of marine ecology at the University of Maine at Machias, and Melissa Maginnis, associate professor of microbiology, received Presidential Outstanding Teaching awards. Nick Giudice, professor of spatial computing and VEMI Lab founder and chief research scientist, received the Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award. Ryder Scott, executive director of 91���� 4-H Centers, received the Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award. Brian Beal, professor of marine ecology at 91���� Machias and director of the Marine Science Field Station, received the Presidential Innovation Award. Jake Ward, vice president of strategic partnerships, innovation, resources and engagement, received the Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact. 

“These equally dedicated and accomplished faculty and staff exemplify how the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias have been essential to the advancement of our learners and our state,” said 91���� and 91���� Machias President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Gayle has taught two generations of students how to observe the world with an open mind, a kind heart and a creative eye — always with a lens for science. Melissa brings her nationally recognized expertise in the field of virology directly into her classroom, where student-led research lays the groundwork for this country’s next biomedical scientists. Through his determination to better the lives of millions who are blind and low vision, like himself, Nick pioneered innovative technologies and established new techniques for people to receive and process information. Ryder extended his enthusiasm for Maine’s beautiful outdoors, from the coast to the forested hillsides, to all of its youth by developing engaging outdoor education. Brian has expanded the state’s blue economy by collaborating in the development of not one, but two, shellfish hatcheries in Downeast. Jake has lended a strong hand to Maine’s heritage industries by establishing connections that benefit our economy and our students. 

“This year’s Presidential Award recipients honor both our campuses and the many communities they serve,” Ferrini-Mundy said. “I personally want to thank them for their contributions to our students, graduates and Mainers at large, and look forward to seeing what they achieve next.”

Gayle Kraus

Throughout Kraus’s 44 years of teaching marine biology courses, her love for it has never waned. She is just as excited about teaching today as she was at the beginning of her career. She has changed the lives of many, not only in the classroom, but also as an adviser and mentor.

Kraus significantly enhances her students’ educational experiences by designing coursework that gives them an opportunity to be on the sea and along the coast. Her use of immersive field experiences deepen student understanding by connecting classroom learning to real-world application. With an expertise that spans the topics of ichthyology, marine biology, marine mammals, invertebrates, ornithology, skeletal articulation and wildlife rehabilitation, Kraus has a personal way of connecting those around her with knowledge. She teaches others to imagine the world as she does: through the eyes of the subject, whether that be a New Zealand abalone shell or a harbor seal.

During the fall, spring and summer, Kraus works with students to create and maintain the aquaculture laboratory, where they are tasked with nurturing a healthy ecosystem in fish tanks, and the campus labyrinths, which are creative pathways for people to explore made of logs, flowers and other natural elements. For over two decades, she and her students have participated in the Marine Mammal Stranding Network to collect and assess data on the carcasses of marine animals such as seals, sharks and whales, as well as rescue and perform basic triage on a variety of seal species. She also helps students set up research aquariums for culturing corals, a skill needed to restore reefs that provide habitats for endangered marine species.

Throughout her career, Kraus’s research on marine ecosystems — from soft shell clams to macrobenthic organisms — has been included in over a dozen abstracts and publications.

Her advice to future teachers is to not be afraid of extending beyond the comfort zone and learn along with students, which is when Kraus said the adventures start. She strives to keep her courses experiential, ever changing and relevant so that her students are always entertained.

Kraus was recognized by Commissioner Judy Camuso of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in 2021 for her volunteer work to stabilize and rehabilitate injured birds and mammals. She has been a Maine state permitted wildlife rehabilitator for approximately 30 years and participates annually in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Melissa Maginnis

Maginnis has dedicated her career to understanding the complexities of viral disease and training the next generation of biomedical scientists. As associate professor of microbiology, Maginnis leads both undergraduate and graduate students in research and learning and has mentored and advised students through the Maine Top Scholars program and Health Professions Advisory Committee.

Maginnis joined the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences in 2014 and has established herself as an expert in the field of virology. She leveraged her talents to help Maine’s public universities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic as the scientific lead for the University of Maine System Science Advisory Board. Her work earned her recognition through national media appearances, including on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and in The Wall Street Journal.

As co-chair of the American Society for Virology (ASV) Education and Career Development Committee, Maginnis collaboratively led the creation of the first ever curriculum guidelines for undergraduate and graduate virology education. She applied that knowledge at 91���� by redesigning an upper level virology course, designing a new course for graduate students and developing a research intensive virology course for undergraduates. The latter was selected as one of the first Advanced Research Learning Experience courses as part of UMS TRANSFORMS, a program funded through generous support from the Harold Alfond Foundation.

Maginnis’s breadth as an educator is exemplified through her ability to teach both advanced and beginner courses, such as the widely popular “Phage Genome Discovery” course for first-year students. Despite the challenging nature of her subject matter, students find Maginnis’s classes to be fun and interactive as she promotes student agency and teaches them the values of thinking critically and self critiquing their own work.

In addition to the more than $3 million in grant funding she has secured from sources including the National Institutes of Health, her mentorship has helped students secure funding for their own research proposals. She has trained over 30 undergraduate students, eight Ph.D. students and three master’s students and has served on more than 60 thesis committees.  

Maginnis reaches prospective students by serving on the Office of Major Scholarships Advisory Council and at the Maine State Science Fair as a scholarship judge. She is the faculty advisor for Undergraduate Women in STEMM and partners with the women’s soccer head coach, Scott Atherley, to support the recruitment of female student athletes.

She received the 2024 Graduate Faculty Mentor Award and the 2018 Graduate Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Government; the 2024 Mel McClure Global Community Impact Award from the Office of International Programs; and the 2022 Faculty Mentor Impact Award from the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Nicholas A. Giudice

For Giudice, research impact and translation are paramount. Since joining 91���� in 2008, he has focused his work on improving the independence and quality of life for millions of people worldwide who are blind and low vision (BLV), including older adults, as vision loss is predominantly age related. Giudice himself is congenitally blind and has pioneered tools, technologies and techniques to promote information access for BLV individuals in multiple disciplines including spatial cognition, transportation and STEM education.

Giudice is a professor of spatial computing in the School of Computing and Information Science and the chief research scientist of 91����’s Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction (VEMI) Laboratory. He founded and has developed the VEMI Lab, alongside its director Rick Corey, to a multidisciplinary and student-driven research hub home to a first-of-its-kind full motion, multi-person autonomous vehicle simulator used to study human-vehicle collaboration.

Giudice’s research program combines approaches from experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience and human-computer interaction to study how the brain fuses spatial information from multiple senses — audition, language, touch and vision — to support spatial learning and behavior. His work has motivated new theories about how nonvisual and multisensory information is represented in the brain and led to the development of universally designed multisensory tools that support graphical access, navigation and autonomous transportation.

Giudice’s research group also has established multisensory techniques to promote human-vehicle collaboration with autonomous vehicles, aiming to make the human-AI interactions needed for this emerging form of transportation universally accessible and intuitive. This groundbreaking research led to a U.S. Department of Transportation design award and an invitation to visit the White House in 2022.

Giudice has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific publications relating to the study and design of multisensory information access technology. He has also been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than $17 million in research grants and awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Transportation. He frequently collaborates with industry partners on research to support universal design. 

Giudice has served on the program committees of dozens of scientific conferences and workshops and the scientific advisory boards of two information access companies. He sits on the Board of Directors of The Iris Network, a nonprofit that serves the BLV community. In 2017, he co-founded Unar Labs LLC, a Maine-based start-up company pioneering information access technologies.

Giudice received the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award for Research and Creative Achievement from 91����’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and 91����’s 2019 Faculty Mentor Impact Award.

Ryder Scott

Scott has dedicated his professional career to the growth and development of Maine’s youth. Scott joined University of Maine Cooperative Extension in 2007 as the program director for the 91���� 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Today, he provides statewide leadership as the executive director of the 4-H Learning Centers, which include Blueberry Cove, Tanglewood, Greenland Point and Bryant Pond. He plays a pivotal role in transforming outdoor education and youth development across the state. 

Under Scott’s leadership, these 4-H sites have evolved from summer camps to year-round learning centers that prioritize experiential education, foster a deep connection with the natural world and help young people reach their fullest potential. Through the year-round program offerings at the 4-H Centers, thousands of young people have gained invaluable skills in leadership, conservation and stewardship. In an era when technology can lead to a “nature deficit” in youth, Scott and the programs he leads ensure that students have an opportunity to engage in immersive outdoor experiences that promote problem-solving, teamwork and personal growth. 

A defining characteristic of Scott’s work is his conviction to the idea that exposing youth to experiential learning opportunities in the outdoors is essential and should be universally accessible. Through scholarship programs, community partnerships and innovative programming, he has worked to ensure that children from all of Maine’s communities have the opportunity to experience the benefits of outdoor learning. In service of this goal, Scott has cultivated strong collaborations with educators, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, philanthropic entities and policymakers. 

He was instrumental in creating the Telstar Freshman Academy, a partnership between MSAD 44 and the Bryant Pond 4-H Center. This unique approach to high school education at the Bryant Pond 4-H Center combines interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum with best practices in experiential and outdoor learning to create a vibrant, engaging environment for all district ninth graders. 

Scott also helped launch the NorthStar 4-H Youth Mentoring program in Oxford County. Through long-term mentorship support from adults, the program aims to raise college and career aspirations for youth from rural Maine communities. Since its inception in 2017, the program has expanded beyond its pilot site to two additional school districts serving hundreds of youth.

As a recognized leader in outdoor education across the state, Scott has been instrumental in building a coalition of outdoor education organizations to form the Maine Outdoor School for All initiative. This effort aims to provide every middle schooler in the state with a formative overnight experience at an outdoor learning center with their classmates. These efforts by Scott and his team have generated millions of dollars of external funding and have developed into program innovations that are having widespread impact for Maine youth.

Brian Beal

Beal (’79 UMM, ’94G 91����) has spent four decades improving the economic impact and relevance of Maine’s coastal communities. Beal’s methods for cultivating commercial shellfish have helped Maine’s blue economy adapt to the impact of changes in the Gulf of Maine.

He contributed to the rise of the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education from its position as a local shellfish hatchery to the easternmost marine research and education center in the U.S. Formerly known as the Beals Island Regional Shellfish Hatchery, the Downeast Institute started as a six-town affair in the basement of a retired elementary school. Within a decade, involvement in the facility grew to 72 communities. Beal, director of the Marine Science Field Station at the Institute, further expanded its scope by introducing research on scallops, mussels and oysters.

A professor of marine ecology, Beal splits his time between teaching at the 91���� Machias and conducting research. Each year since 1987, he selects two or more undergraduate students to participate in 12-14 week internships at the Downeast Institute. He also guides students who conduct marine biology or ecology studies as part of their Senior Thesis in Biological Research course. 

Beal was instrumental in establishing Maine’s first lobster hatchery in the late ‘80s. At the request of a group of lobstermen from Cutler, Beal collaborated with 91����’s Darling Marine Center to enhance lobster stocks. The Cutler Lobster Hatchery became obsolete in the ‘90s when lobster reproduction exploded from warmer waters in the Gulf of Maine. Around the same time, the director of the Shellfish Research Laboratory at the National University of Ireland, Galway, invited Beal to demonstrate his method of rearing lobster. His technique is now used in European and Canadian facilities for research and lobster stock enhancement.

Beal is a member of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Clean-up and Response Fund Review Board and the Downeast Institute Board of Directors, and is chairman of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center Board of Directors. He received the 2000 91���� Machias Teacher of the Year Award and the 2015 Bourne-Chew Award from the National Shellfisheries Association, of which he is also a member. Additionally, he was recognized as a 2001 91���� Machias Distinguished Alumnus and was included in Maine Magazine’s list of 50 Mainers creating a brighter future for the state in 2019.

James S. “Jake” Ward IV

Jake views 91����’s service commitment to the state through a tripartite lens: kids, companies and communities. 

That three-word phrase has become a mantra for Jake, who strives to ensure that each group benefits maximally from all that 91���� has to offer as the vice president of strategic partnerships, innovation, resources and engagement. For nearly 35 years, he has advocated for innovation and collaboration, working to translate 91���� research and development into economic opportunity for Maine’s youth, companies and communities, present and future. His visionary leadership and strategic policy work have resulted in major research and innovation  investments for 91���� and stimulated the growth of the state’s innovation ecosystem and overall economy. 

Jake joined 91���� in 1990 as coordinator of the Maine Inventor’s Network, where he supported hundreds of inventors — from backyard innovators to university researchers — with navigating patents, funding and commercialization pathways. Later, as the director of 91����’s Department of Industrial Cooperation, Jake formalized and expanded 91����’s technology transfer, industry collaboration and economic development efforts, bridging the gap between university research and private-sector needs. 

Jake’s work to bring early stage innovations in composites, aquaculture and environmental engineering to market helped establish 91���� as an authority in these sectors. Ongoing efforts have cemented the university’s leadership and resulted in major investments from the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense, among others. 

A skilled strategist and coalition builder, Jake has played a pivotal role in shaping Maine’s research and development policy landscape. His advocacy and collaboration with lawmakers led to the establishment of the Maine Economic Improvement Fund and the Maine Technology Institute, both of which provide critical, ongoing support for research that drives economic growth. He was also instrumental in securing 91����’s early National Science Foundation EPSCoR grants that led to the development of transformative research centers, including the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the Aquaculture Research Institute.

Throughout his career, Jake has worked across disciplines at 91���� to fill the gap between university expertise and Maine’s real-world challenges, from the innovation and diversification of heritage industries to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a champion of hands-on learning and workforce development opportunities for Maine’s youth, ensuring they have the skills to continue growing Maine’s emerging industries. He has also supported the resilience and growth of Maine’s communities through university research collaboration, such as Maine’s Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine) and the Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

To stay competitive, researchers from the University of Maine offer leaders in business, policy and education various resources to learn to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks. The technology advances and changes at breakneck speed, making it difficult for those outside the industry to keep up. To help Mainers adapt, 91���� partnered with experts across the state and nation to host an annual one-day conference on the latest AI developments and their implications. 

The on June 13 at 91����’s Collins Center for the Arts in Orono builds on last year’s sold-out event, providing Maine’s early adopters an affordable opportunity to discuss how to use AI to solve real-world problems responsibly. 

“We often view AI as another means for automation and process enhancement, while this is only a small sliver of this multidimensional technology,” said Ali Abedi, associate vice president for research at 91���� who leads the conference’s planning committee as well as the university’s AI Initiative. “With the rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI), researchers aspire to develop new software with human-level precision in reasoning, self-learning, and sensing. This conference passes the AI light through a prism and reveals its many components.”  

As they prepare for the upcoming conference, here are three things Maine’s leading experts say people should know about AI: 

Getting started with AI

Business leaders at the inaugural conference last summer emphasized that AI is not a shortcut — companies need a thorough understanding of their problems before adopting AI solutions. Designing AI-embedded workflows for more efficient business operations, for example, requires a deep understanding of what the specialist knows. Small to midsize businesses may find some technologies, like AI-enhanced software and automation, more accessible than they think, the panel also noted.

Illuminating the black box

The way AI works is not widely understood and there is a widespread belief that only a select few can understand it. For its ability to demystify this emerging technology for the general public, Responsible AI, which focuses on accountability, transparency and fairness, was extolled during the 2024 event. The approach helps developers and users be aware of potential biases that AI systems may inherit from their training data or prompts. 

Safeguards are essential

Ethical AI use requires collaboration across disciplines. The 2024 policy panel stressed the need for global ethical standards akin to those in biomedical research to ensure AI serves both business and society.

What to expect in 2025

The 2025 conference builds on the inaugural event and addresses key questions posed by participants in event feedback. 

“The unique nature of this event is the way we bring together industry, government and academic experts in one room to reveal the multifaceted perspective of AI and how it will impact various sectors of our economy and daily life,” said Pips Veazey, director of 91����’s Portland Gateway. “This conference provides the ideal setting to highlight how a team approach can help organizations approach challenges and opportunities presented by AI.”

Sessions will include guidance about how to use AI to enhance teaching and creativity. They will also offer practical guidance on how to manage AI data quality, security and integration. Participants will learn how to navigate regulations and weigh the legal risks that using AI technology may pose. 

The conference, which is sponsored by 91���� and the Maine Technology Institute, will also offer the opportunity for Mainers to network and share their perspectives with people who are leading the integration of AI in policy, higher education and business. Register by June 6 to attend.

How AI will impact Maine’s workforce remains an open question. If they act now, Mainers have an opportunity to shape what AI means for our state. 

Contact: Erin Miller; erin.miller@maine.edu

This first-of-its-kind program across Maine’s public universities combines computing skill with business strategy to prepare students for careers that address challenges brought on by the growing digital economy. during its regular board meeting.

The program targets the increasing integration of technology in business and aims to equip students to step into high demand roles in Maine and beyond or pursue entrepreneurial careers. Graduates of the program will move into positions such as business analyst, technology consultant or product manager. 

Curriculum will focus on how to succeed in data driven, technology enabled environments. Flexibility with course electives will allow students to tailor their learning to specific industry interests. Students will be encouraged to develop critical problem-solving abilities relating to data analysis, artificial intelligence and business operations.

The B.S. in Computer Science and Business exemplifies the university’s commitment to provide quality education through collaboration and strives toward meeting the statewide goal to double the number of degrees awarded in engineering and computing. The program is a direct effort between the Maine Business School and School of Computing and Information Science, which is a joint unit shared by by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Maine College of Engineering and Computing. 

The fair, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants, is hosted by the Career Center, in conjunction with the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, so students and alumni can learn about engineering and computing firms in Maine, New England and throughout the country; meet company representatives; and find job opportunities for after graduation or on-the-job experience through and internship. 

Participants should visit their CareerLink account for full event details and a list of employers. They are also encouraged to download the “Careers by Symplicity” app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play, which will allow them to filter participating employers by available positions and preferred majors.

Students attending the event are advised to dress professionally, bring resumes, prepare a 30-second introductory pitch and research the companies they plan to engage. Fair participants who will be driving to the event are asked to park in the Collins Center for the Arts and Belgrade lots. A free event shuttle from the Rangeley Road entrance of the Collins Center to the New Balance Student Recreation Center will be running throughout the day. 

More information, including a list of the companies scheduled to attend, is on the Career Center website.

In an effort led by researchers from the , Giudice helped outline the first user-driven guidelines on the needs and design specifications for robot guide dogs. The research article, , won a Best Paper Award at CHI 2024: Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, the leading venue for human-computer interaction research.  

The study involved interviewing and observing guide dog users to better comprehend the handler-dog relationship and how it could be accurately modeled, according to Giudice, co-founder and chief research scientist at VEMI Lab. A longtime guide dog user, Giudice said the paper serves as a first step toward understanding user needs and specifications and as a starting point for the next era of research in robotic guide dog technology.

“In my head, the robotic guide dog is not a replacement to an animal guide, it is a complement to be used in situations where I don’t want to take my dog but still want similar guidance,” Giudice said. “For instance, in situations where it is not safe, such as if there is glass on the ground or if it is too hot or cold outside, if it is too loud (like at fireworks displays or concerts) or too busy (such as at a crowded bar or sporting event). These are places where I wouldn’t want to take my ‘real’ guide dog but where a robotic guide dog would be fine.”

Read the full story on the 91���� . 

Contact: Allen Adams, allen.adams@maine.edu

91���� will confer Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters to international leaders in the development of new communications technology Neera and Rajendra Singh during its 222nd commencement ceremony on May 4.

“I am delighted to celebrate Neera and Raj, who are not only accomplished in advancing cellular and telecommunication networks internationally, but also with whom I’ve personally had the honor to become acquainted,” said 91���� President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Their knowledge and investment continues to support our efforts in fostering technological innovation and preparing next-generation engineers, marketeers and business leaders, both globally and in the state of Maine.”

The Singhs met at the India Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur while Neera Singh was an undergraduate student and Rajendra Singh a University of Maine graduate student. Neera Singh went on to achieve her master’s in chemical engineering at Kansas State University and Rajendra Singh a Ph.D. in wireless communications at Southern Methodist University.

They married in 1981 and united their skills in engineering and computing to lead innovation in the budding wireless communication industry. They developed the first software that could configure optimal locations for cellular towers, enabling the growth of communication networks across urban and rural areas in more than 50 countries. It was the starting point of Lunayach Communications Consultants (LCC) International, one of 33 total companies in which the Singhs invested or launched. Within 12 years, the company grew to employ more than 1,000 people and exceed $100 million in annual revenue. 

Neera and Rajendra Singh retired from LCC International in 2008 to focus on investing in new technologies and advancing education in engineering, computing, social science, business and marketing. The Washington Post and Forbes Magazine have recognized their excellence in business and investment power.

With the success of LCC International, the Singhs created the LCC Institute — an initiative they consider their highest achievement — which democratized the industry by broadening access to telecommunication knowledge worldwide.

They continue to support generations of engineers by supplying scholarships and collaboratively offering guidance to 91����, and by funding a new AI program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rajendra Singh has served on the boards of Johns Hopkins University and its School of Medicine, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal. He and Neera Singh are inductees of the Wireless History Foundation Hall of Fame and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing’s Francis Crowe Society Hall of Fame.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu