Three academic programs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are joining forces this fall to provide the campus and community with an innovative way to explore the world of science. The Environmental Science and Sustainability, Biology, and Agricultural Science programs are hosting a lunchtime seminar series that provides a forum to present scientific research conducted by UMPI students and faculty, and local and regional scientists, as well as topics in management, medicine and applied science.
The series, now in its sixth year, fosters greater collaboration and more informative communication between UMPI, especially its students, and the greater northern Maine region. The purpose of the series is to bring the University, working professionals, and community members together by collaborating on ideas and experiments through scientific discoveries.
Seminars generally will be held Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Folsom 201, UMPI’s GIS Lab, unless otherwise noted; arrive at 12:15 p.m. for the meet and greet. Anyone is welcome to come join the series, especially if interested in hearing about scientific pursuits.
The series began on Wednesday, Oct. 3 with a round-table discussion with Mark Shepard, the author of Restoration Agriculture and CEO of Forest Agriculture Enterprises. Shepard also delivered a presentation as part of UMPI’s Distinguished Lecturer Series during his visit.
The series continues on Thursday, Oct. 11 with a presentation titled The Year Round Agriculture Forum by Bill Giordano, of the Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Dr. Larry Feinstein, UMPI Assistant Professor of Biology.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, Dr. Joel Graber, of the Mount Desert Island Biological Lab, will present Bioinformatics and the Maine INBRE Network.
The next presentation, on Thursday, Nov. 1, is titled Landscape Genomics in a Changing World and will be delivered by Kirsten M. Thompson, Ph.D. candidate, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Department, University of Northern British Columbia.
On Thursday, Nov. 15, two student researchers will be featured. Lydia Tilley, Biology/Medical Lab Technology major, will present Comparative Functional Genomics of 28 Nosocomial Pathogen Isolates. Her research advisor is Dr. Larry Feinstein. Caleb Ward, Environmental Science and Sustainability major, will present Bedrock Geology Mapping Experience in the North Maine Woods. His research advisor is Dr. Chunzeng Wang.
The series will end on Thursday, Dec. 6 with a presentation titled The Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Yield of Potatoes in Aroostook County, ME and will be delivered by Ahmed Jasim and Ahmed Zaeen, University of Maine Ecology and Environmental Science graduate students. Their M.S. advisor is Dr. Lakesh Sharma.
For more information about the Science Lunchtime Seminar Series, please contact Dr. Jason Johnston at 207-768-9652 or jason.johnston@maine.edu. To learn more about the Academic programs hosting this series, visit https://www.umpi.edu/academics/academic_programs/environmental-science/, https://www.umpi.edu/academics/academic_programs/biology/, and https://www.umpi.edu/academics/academic_programs/agricultural-science/.