College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

Inventive, imaginative, resourceful and innovative are synonyms for creative. And in the wake of the Great Recession of 2008, they also were synonymous with better employment prospects, according to a new study by a team of researchers. The team, including University of Maine economist Todd Gabe, found that from 2006–11, members of the creative class […]

Vivian Chi-Hua Wu, associate professor of microbiology and food safety at the University of Maine, has won a 2012 Bimbo Pan-American Nutrition, Food Science and Technology Award. The award recognizes the best research projects in the fields of nutrition, food science and technology throughout the Americas. Wu will receive $5,000 for her technology project, “A […]

Class of 2013 Leaders University of Maine President Paul Ferguson has announced Spencer Hathaway of Turner, Maine, as the 2013 valedictorian and Lindsay LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine, as the salutatorian. “Spencer and Lindsay represent the very best of our outstanding UMaine students — both for their outstanding academic success, but for their dedicated service […]

An ecological chain reaction triggered by the boom and bust of sea urchin fishing in the Gulf of Maine demonstrates the importance of comprehensive ecosystem-based ocean management, says a University of Maine marine scientist. Conventional fisheries management regulates for a “maximum sustainable yield” for each managed species. However, this usually ignores strong interactions between predators […]

A ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the nation’s first cellulose nanofiber pilot plant and a keynote address by U.S. Sen. Angus King will highlight the 63rd annual Paper Days at the University of Maine, April 3–4. Innovation, with a focus on biobased nanoparticles and biofuels, is the theme of this year’s Paper Days, […]

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has awarded a University of Maine marine researcher up to $957,871 to improve ways to detect and track changes in the oceanic carbon pool, subsequently allowing scientists to better understand its role in oceanic ecosystems and the removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Ivona Cetinić, a research associate in the […]

A University of Maine doctoral student hopes her appearance in a comedy clip on the late-night satirical The Colbert Report will shed light on the serious topic of fishery management. Skylar Bayer, a doctor of philosophy student in marine biology at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine, studies the reproductive ecology of giant sea […]

Juvenile wood frogs emigrating from their birthplaces in vernal pools into the terrestrial ecosystem may transfer mercury they accumulated during larval development into the food web, according to a team of University of Maine researchers. The team, led by U.S. Geological Survey and UMaine wildlife ecologist Cynthia Loftin, conducted its study at four short-hydroperiod (likely […]

Encouraging people to be engaged in sustainability efforts today that will make a difference tomorrow begins with a look back, says a team of University of Maine resource economists. Reflecting on societal decisions that have come to bear and learning from those aspects that we regret, or for which we are grateful or indifferent could […]

Excellence of a Self-Described Eccentric Kimberly Dao is diligent about sleeping eight or nine hours of each night. The University of Maine junior biology major knows sufficient shut-eye is important for memory, health, mood and energy level. It’s also a time to dream. And Dao, who was accepted at the end of her sophomore year […]