Poster Presentations 2025
Presenter(s): Ari Anghel, Annabelle Wainman, Lochlan O’Connor, Joshua Smith, Pipsa Pope
Faculty Mentor(s): Mr. Katsman, Dr. Jayasundara
This past fall, the MSSM Engineering team undertook the task of planning and building an operationable, electric, miniature skid-steer.
Presenter(s): Elliott Dooley, Dylan Wombacher, Eleanor Milliken, Cammie Marine, Maeve Lakin
Faculty Mentor(s): Deb Eustis-Grandy, Udaya Jayasundara
Our posters present the results of a project utilizing metagenomic analyses of the 16s rRNA gene (bacteria) and ITS region (fungi) to quantify microbial community composition and diversity present in a variety of habitats.
Presenter(s): Mary Hewett, Richard Urquhart, Jake Spharler
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
Thirty soil samples collected from a farm lot were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations by using a portable XRF analyzer. The results reveal levels and distribution patterns of major heavy metals with some concerns.
Presenter(s): Cat Hoffman, Clayton Endy, Sierra Bryant, Mary Hewett, Tori Raeihle, Ben Snow
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
Soil samples collected from 30 farm fields in central Aroostook County were chemically analyzed with a portable XRF analyzer. The results show interesting distribution patterns and levels of major heavy metals with some concerns.
Presenter(s): Ben Snow, Richard Urquhart, Clayton Endy, Jake Spharler, Cat Hoffman
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
Unmarked graves were detected by using a ground penetrating radar in a small family cemetery in Castle Hill.
Presenter(s): Sierra Bryant and Tori Raeihle
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
A ground penetrating radar was applied and able to detect four possible graves without markers in the Westmanland cemetery in Aroostook County.
Presenter(s): Clayton Endy and Richard Urquhart
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
Out of the 85 gravesites identified by GPR scanning in Westmanland cemetery, 7 were not marked. The result helps cemetery management and planning, for example, it would protect the unmarked gravesites from being disturbed in the future.
Presenter(s): Jacob Spharler
Faculty Mentor(s): Chunzeng Wang
The purpose of this project was to attempt locating the burial sites in Bean cemetery, a small family cemetery in Presque Isle by using a GPR. Two sites were detected; the rest had no shows on GPR, suggesting collapse or burials without using caskets.
Presenter(s): Neja Jayasundara
Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Shawn Guerrette
My poster explores Newton’s Second Law of Motion (F = ma) through hands-on experiments and Python simulations. By analyzing how force, mass, and acceleration interact in both controlled and dynamic conditions, this study reveals how the law applies to real-world motion.
Presenter(s): Chloe Hanscom, Milaya Buchanan, Bastion Sock
Faculty Mentor(s): Judith Roe
Our study investigates the impact of PFAS contamination on soil microbial communities using soil samples from crops irrigated with multiple local water sources containing varying amounts of PFAS.
Presenter(s): Marah Russell
Faculty Mentor(s): Jennifer Lynds
The University Times has been providing a platform for students to share their opinions and perspectives on matters affecting campus life since its inception in 1981. Join us as we delve into the history, current state, and future of The University Times, which has evolved from a local campus organization to a global website featuring contributions from around the world.
Presenter(s): Taylor Soucy
Faculty Mentor(s): Udaya Jayasundara
A solid background of science in high school is crucial for the foundation of science in higher education. This project is an attempt to build up the
enthusiasm in science among high school students in Aroostook County using educational (magic chemistry) experiments.
Presenter(s): Maggee Currie, Garrett Dora, Zihao Huang, Delaney Little, Tyrese Mitchell, Eulalio Perez, Riley Prince, Joseph Ryan, Adam Stanko, and Zoe Stewart
Faculty Mentor(s): Jason Johnston
Multiple studies and hypotheses have tested the purported link between autism and vaccines. Student researchers will outline this biological evidence and the implications it has on human health.
Presenter(s): Stella Hardy, Mayan Pratt, Chandler White
Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Royer
Describing the process of how we use computer programs to communicate to our computers to get the desired output.
Presenter(s): Robert Ramsey, Bailey-Michelle LaPlante, Benjamin Snow, Chandler White
Faculty Mentor(s): Jason Johnston, Judith Roe, Mark Royer
This project develops a containerized bioinformatics toolset to automate data sanitation, filtering, and validation for eDNA analyses, streamlining the detection and monitoring of Eastern Spruce Budworm and Emerald Ash Borer in forestry ecosystems.
Presenter(s): Zoe Stewart
Faculty Mentor(s): Jason Johnston
A look into whether hurricane Fiona had any positive or negative effects on the endangered Piping Plover population of Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Presenter(s): Lindsay Pelletier
Faculty Mentor(s): Matt Wallhead
This Poster will go over the different papers and projects I did during my time at UMPI and as a woman in the Agriculture Program.
Presenter(s): Samantha Houghton, Brady Bouchard, Abe Han, Yilin Zhang, Samuel Pike, Lochlan O’Connor
Faculty Mentor(s): Kwang Taeg Rim
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy is used to obtain atomic resolution images of conducting surfaces and atoms/molecules adsorbed on the surface. For atomically resolved images we need atomically sharp tungsten tips. We electrochemically etched W-wire to be atomically sharp using a setup composed of Au ring as a cathode and W- wire itself as an anode in 3M sodium hydroxide aqueous solution.
Presenter(s): Samantha Houghton, Brady Bouchard, Abe Han, Yilin Zhang, Samuel Pike, Lochlan O’Connor
Faculty Mentor(s): Kwang Taeg Rim
The wave nature of light is demonstrated by showing the diffraction of He-Ne laser light through a single slit and a small circular aperture. The diffraction pattern of laser light through a W-wire is analyzed to prove the diameter of that commercial W-wire.
Presenter(s): Samantha Houghton, Brady Bouchard, Abe Han, Yilin Zhang, Samuel Pike, Lochlan O’Connor
Faculty Mentor(s): Kwang Taeg Rim
We explored the quantum nature of color, the quantization of electron energy levels of atoms from the glow discharge of various elements, He, Ne, Ar, and Kr. After we assigned the emission lines of He, we observed absorption of red lines by Cu〖SO〗_4 aqueous solution and the absorption of blue lines by Co〖〖(NO〗_3)〗_2 aqueous solution
Presenter(s): Evie Elijah
Faculty Mentor(s): Dylan Ouellette
Wheel throwing student will present work made during the semester for the Empty Bowls Aroostook fundraiser. The presentation will center around the Empty Bowls concept and the ceramic process of making the bowls.
Session 1 – 10:20 to 11:15
Presenter(s): Jovi Hillman
Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. John Zaborney
Location: Folsom 203
This presentation is a demonstration of Maine’s Franco-American community, once a thriving cultural and economic force, facing deep challenges of language loss, discrimination and cultural erosion. By leveraging digital technologies, creative arts and policy initiatives, we can revitalize Franco-American heritage and position Maine as a leader in linguistic and cultural preservation.
Presenter(s): Belen Dougherty, Aubrey Sinclair, Garret Winter, Stella Hardy, and Damien Pearson
Faculty Mentor(s): Deborah Hodgkins
Location: Folsom 204
Upcountry is a literary journal published by UMPI. It showcases a diverse range of creative works, including poetry, short stories, essays, and visual art, contributed by students, faculty, and writers from the broader community.
Presenter(s): Ryan Sonderman
Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Royer
Location: Pullen 210
There are many skill-expressive movement techniques in video games, particularly old Source engine titles. In this presentation, I will examine the code that make the most famous of these techniques possible.
Presenter(s): Noah Yarema, Ezra Leach, Angel Gutierrez, Sam Clark, Alec Brooks
Faculty Mentor(s): Barbara Blackstone
Location: Pullen 113
Do you sit all day at your desk or in class? Learn simple techniques to improve your posture and everyday movements.
Session 2 – 1:15 to 2:10
Presenter(s): Hannah Alley
Faculty Mentor(s): Jennifer Buzza
Location: Folsom 203
I want to share my experiences as a UMPI student who was able to study abroad, so fellow students know that it is possible to travel to another country while working towards your degree.
Presenter(s): Serena Lufkin, Ben White
Faculty Mentor(s): Shawna Traugh
Location: Folsom 204
Our presentation is about the rising impact that social isolation has on older adults, we talk about the causes and risk factors, the consequences of depression and anxiety in older adults, the systemic barriers to mental health support, and interventions that can be used to both prevent and manage social isolation and its consequences in older adults.
Presenter(s): James Yamashita, Logan Migliori, Akhe Mcmichael, Myles Jones, Jovain Barrett
Faculty Mentor(s): Barbara Blackstone
Location: Pullen 113
Do you sit all day at your desk or in class? Learn simple techniques to improve your posture and everyday movements.
Session 3 – 2:20 to 3:15
Presenter(s): Evie Elijah
Faculty Mentor(s): Dylan Ouellette
Location: Folsom 204
Wheel throwing student will present work made during the semester for the Empty Bowls Aroostook fundraiser. The presentation will center around the Empty Bowls concept and the ceramic process of making the bowls.
Presenter(s): Marah Russell
Faculty Mentor(s): Richard Simpson
Location: Pullen 210
Join me as I explore how formal techniques, film theories, modes of representation, and ideology shape the way films recreate reality. I’ll be conducting a thorough analysis of these elements in relation to 1948 the documentary film “The Quiet One.”
Presenter(s): Lindsay Pelletier
Faculty Mentor(s): Matt Wallhead
Location: Greenhouse
This Poster will go over the different papers and projects I did during my time at UMPI and as a woman in the Agriculture Program.