Casey’s research is focused on tropical glaciers present during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), about 25,000 years ago. “Using moraine and elevation data collected from the Rwenzori mountains in Uganda, I create visual models to recreate the ancient glaciers. From there, I can extract pertinent information relating to mass balance and freeze levels, which is the elevation at which glaciers start to either freeze or melt.” The data Casey gets from the models provides information about the climate at the time, which will expand our understanding of tropical ice age behavior. “When compared against mid-latitude ice age data, we will understand climate change and how it interacts on a global scale.”

Casey says that the help of faculty mentor, Dr. Alice Doughty, has been invaluable. “Dr. Doughty is an excellent teacher, my experience wouldn’t be the same without her. I am new to coding, but with her guidance and patience I have really gotten a grasp on the concepts and I’m finding a lot of fun in it. It is also amazing having a direct resource to work with me through everything, she seems like a genius at times with her problem-solving abilities. With her support, I am fully prepared to continue my research career.”

Casey’s advice to students thinking about getting involved with research: “just go for it. […] If you apply yourself, there is so much to learn in every corner of research, so many skills that are invaluable in the field. I can say with confidence that this research opportunity is one of those things that will butterfly-effect the rest of my life, and I’m so excited to see what comes.”

Nowadays, Brooks is working toward her PhD at 91����, studying pollution found in ice cores of the North Pacific region. “The position of the North Pacific region (Alaska, USA and Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia) uniquely links the Asian and North American continents when examining historical trends in pollutants.” For her dissertation, Brooks is “examining changes in lead (Pb) values over the past two millennia (340 to 2022 CE) using ice cores from Begguya (Mr. Hunter), Alaska.” According to Brooks winds carry “dust and pollution from Asia across the North Pacific,” depositing them at Begguya. “Critical changes in culture (industrialization, globalization of world markets, Covid-19 pandemic), technology (advancement of industrial recycling), and policy and legislation (phase out of leaded gasoline) have direct impacts on Pb transported to and deposited at Begguya.”

The Begguya ice core project is “part of a global collaborative effort including researchers from the University of Maine, Dartmouth College, Colby College, University of New Hampshire, Oregon STate University, Colorado State University and Paul Scherrer Institute to understand the impacts of natural and anthropogenic climate change in the North Pacific in the time since the last ice age.” Brooks has had the opportunity to work with several faculty mentors and advisors, which she says has furthered her professional network and opened up future collaborative opportunities.

“I always recommend that you have lots of conversations with your professors and teaching assistants. Ask them what they research and why they are passionate about it. You never know where these conversations may lead, and what curiosity their passions may spark in you.”

Ashby is working alongside Dr. Suzanne Angeli, assistant professor in the Molecular and Biomedical Department, to study RNAi, or RNA interference. Ashby’s work focuses on “using RNAi to change the expression of genes controlling the electron transport chain (ETC),” and observing how it affects the life span of C. elegans, an incredibly primitive organism that still shares many of the essential biological characteristics of humans. The goal of the project is to better understand the mechanism which controls the human aging process.

When it comes to research, Ashby says “having an advisor is essential to my research. While I’m fascinated by the subject of RNAi, I’m no expert and therefore need help to fill in the gaps where experience shines.” Ashby also appreciates having a second opinion on data from Dr. Angeli, as well as being able to troubleshoot with her. “An advisor is an important tool towards success and cannot be underestimated!”

When asked what advice he would give to others interested in getting involved with research, Ashby said everyone should know that “failures are important in research. Every failure is a great opportunity to not only learn from your mistakes, but also take a new perspective on your research. 

Allen has two major pieces of advice for other students considering involvement in research. “The only way you’re going to enjoy doing research is if you like your research advisor and if you like your project.” Allen says having a good relationship with your research advisor encourages you to work hard and make your advisor proud. She also says that liking and having interest in your research project means you won’t mind putting in the work to see the project through. “If you’ve got those two things, it’s going to feel like everything else just falls into place, and you’re going to feel much more confident about your own plans after graduating,” says Allen.

As for Allen’s current project within Dr. Howell’s lab, their research is particularly timely, given recent happenings across the globe during the past three years. Their research is focused on “limiting disease transmission via high traffic surfaces.” They are studying the cleanliness of surfaces using a Maine-made nanopatterned material and pairing that with a smartphone and machine learning system. The nanopatterned material creates a rainbow on the surface, which changes depending on whether a contaminant is present. Using a machine learning algorithm, they can measure those changes and integrate them into a smartphone application, which can be used by the general public. The app will give users “the power to determine whether a surface coated in the nanopatterned material is clean or dirty in a quick, cheap, and easily accessible manner. In this way, we will help ensure high traffic surfaces stay clean and disease-free, keeping our community safe.”

Howorth’s area of focus is on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She examined “the barriers faced and strategies employed by one local school district aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable campus environment for all student identities.” The goal of the collaboration between the local school department and the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development is to “create synergy in and around the improvement efforts being implemented within the [school department] and the research expertise, teaching practices, and service of 91���� faculty members that can help address systemic issues within the district.”

“My advice to others going into research is to not be afraid to be wrong,” says Howorth. She says “negative” or “unexpected” results often lead to other relevant and even more meaningful questions. She says that working with her faculty mentor, Rebecca Buchanan, on this research has given her “the opportunity to grow and develop professionally in a way that” classes alone cannot. Howorth says that “especially for students, embracing what you don’t know can be a humbling and necessary step towards personal and professional success…of course, it’s one I’m still working on, myself.”

Tiner’s area of research focuses on two gyres, large circulation patterns of water, located in Frenchman Bay. Tiner says these gyres “may very well influence the accumulation of microplastics and harmful algal blooms, which can harm wildlife and people,” citing a 2016 bloom of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia which caused shutdowns in the shellfish industry.

Tiner took water samples and used probes to measure data points, which will improve understanding of how the gyres form and if they play a role in furthering aggregating toxic particulates. His hope is that his work will be “a small facet of a greater effort to protect the wildlife and livelihood of all those who live in and on Frenchman Bay.”

Tiner credits his faculty mentor, Dr. Lauren Ross, and doctoral student, Taylor Bailey, with his research success. “Both are not only extremely helpful in regards to their deep expertise on topics of coastal and environmental engineering, but also on how to approach the world of research.” Grateful for his exposure to research, Tiner said it was “an excellent chance to gain a panoply of writing, technical and academic skills, while also satiating my curiosity. Regardless of what I do with my degree, the skills I am developing doing this research will make me a stronger engineer and scientist.”