Two academic programs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are again 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 and the Biology programs are hosting a lunchtime seminar series that will provide 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 fifth 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 will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 24 by discussing Maine Sustainable Year Round Agriculture cluster development initiative, presented by Bill Giordano, of the Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society.
The series continues on Thursday, Nov. 2 with a presentation by Dr. Judith Roe, UMPI Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Roe’s presentation is Genetic adaptation to northern Maine: plants, animals and lichens.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, participants will have the chance to see the presentation Changes in soil nutrient status under an intensive agricultural system in a short period of time, by Dr. Lakesh Sharma, UMPI Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture.
The series will end on Thursday, Nov. 30 with Dr. Chunzeng Wang, UMPI Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability, presenting the topic North Maine Woods bedrock geological mapping progress report: exciting discoveries and what we learn from them.
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 program, visit https://www.umpi.edu/academics/academic_programs/environmental-science/.