As the May 1 college decision deadline approaches, students are showing increased interest in academic programs with clear career pathways.

At the 91爆料, that trend is evident across disciplines tied to growing sectors of the U.S. economy, including engineering, health care and biomedical sciences, business, natural resources and environmental sciences, agriculture and food systems, communication sciences and disorders, and biotechnology.

University data highlight several indicators of that demand:

• Mechanical engineering enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade, with a 95% student satisfaction rate.
• The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program reports that 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school, with 82% working in natural resource fields.
• The Maine Business School, which will enroll 330 first-year students, filled nearly half of those seats before April and reports a 94% positive outcome rate.
• In animal and veterinary sciences, about 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school.
• Health-related fields tied to several majors are projected to see continued jobgrowth over the next decade.

Mechanical engineering

91爆料鈥檚 mechanical engineering program, now the university鈥檚 largest major, has expanded in response to national demand for engineers in industries including manufacturing, technology and transportation.

Enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade. Graduates are recruited by employers such as Bath Iron Works, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Texas Instruments, GE and NASA鈥檚 Goddard Space Flight Center.

The curriculum progresses from foundational coursework in math and physics to advanced engineering applications, with an emphasis on analysis, design and problem-solving. Experiential learning is integrated throughout, with students participating in internships, co-ops and a yearlong senior capstone design sequence focused on design, prototyping and testing.

Students may pursue concentrations such as aerospace engineering, along with minors or certificates in robotics, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. The program reports a 95% positive student sentiment rate.

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Wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology

The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program has more than doubled in enrollment over the past two decades, reflecting sustained interest in conservation and natural resource careers.

The curriculum emphasizes field-based learning. More than half of courses include outdoor labs, and students complete a required immersive field experience in Downeast Maine that is frequently cited as a defining part of their education. More than 80% of undergraduates report that fieldwork influenced their decision to enroll.

Students gain experience through field surveys, internships and research. About 70% complete field experiences, and more than half participate in faculty-led research. Faculty and students have also produced more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and secured nearly $16 million in research funding during the past five years.

Among graduates, 95% are employed or enrolled in graduate school, and 82% work in natural resource fields.

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Speech, pre-medical and biomedical sciences

91爆料 is reporting increased interest in programs that prepare students for careers in health care, research and biotechnology, reflecting broader national workforce trends.

Fields such as speech-language pathology and audiology are projected to experience above-average job growth over the next decade, according to federal labor data. Demand is influenced by factors including an aging population and expanded access to care.

Programs in communication sciences and disorders, biology, biochemistry and microbiology provide preparation for graduate study and professional careers, including speech-language pathology as well as medical, dental and veterinary school.

Students frequently participate in faculty-led research, gaining experience that supports applications to graduate programs or entry into the workforce. Faculty say the programs emphasize both academic preparation and applied learning.

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Business

The Maine Business School is nearing capacity for its incoming class, reflecting strong student demand for business education.

The program will enroll 330 first-year students, and nearly half of those seats were filled before April. Administrators say the pace of enrollment indicates sustained interest throughout the admissions cycle.

Students are drawn to the flexibility of the degree, particularly the general business major, which allows exploration across disciplines before selecting a concentration. Finance and marketing remain among the most popular areas of study.

The school reported a 94% positive outcome rate for the Class of 2024, defined as graduates employed, enrolled in graduate school or participating in service programs within six months. Officials say the program is designed to prepare students for a range of careers across industries.

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Animal and veterinary sciences

Enrollment in 91爆料鈥檚 animal and veterinary sciences program has increased since before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting demand for careers in animal health, veterinary medicine and agriculture.

The program prepares students for careers in veterinary medicine, research and agriculture-related fields. About 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school, while others enter the workforce directly.

Students gain hands-on experience at the university鈥檚 J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, where they work with animals in applied settings and develop practical skills.

All students also participate in research with faculty on topics including animal health, environmental systems and disease. Faculty say the program is structured to support both exploration and career preparation as workforce demand continues to grow.

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Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu 

From potato farms to global shipping lanes, ideas from Maine鈥檚 R&D department are making an impact 

Mainers are known for their Yankee ingenuity, and researchers at the 91爆料 are no exception. Our knack for making do and inventing better ways of doing things embodies the resourceful culture of the Pine Tree State. 

For 160 years, Maine鈥檚 public research university has created practical, accessible education and discoveries that drive progress for the state and beyond. Today, thousands of projects across Maine and around the world work to make life better. 

Here are just a few of the bright ideas from :

Invented at 91爆料:

Maine鈥檚 favorite potato

That satisfying signature crunch in your next bag of potato chips may be a product of 91爆料 innovation. 

The high-yielding Caribou Russet matures quickly and performs well for chip and french fry processors and fresh retail markets 鈥� attributes that made the potato Maine鈥檚 most sown spud in and . The variety, developed by 91爆料 in partnership with the Maine Potato Board at the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station鈥檚 Aroostook Farm, debuted in 2015 after more than a decade of development. 

More than 80% of Maine鈥檚 vegetable cropland is dedicated to potatoes. The crop an estimated $1.3 billion and more than 6,500 jobs in 2022. 91爆料 tests more than 250 new potato varieties each year to find the next spud that will outperform others from the field and to the fryer. 

More bridge for your bucks 

91爆料 engineers have reimagined how bridges are built. Inventions like 91爆料鈥檚 award-winning 鈥� which helped raise the Gristmill Bridge in Hampden 鈥� encases concrete arches in composite materials that protect against corrosion, effectively doubling structural longevity. Meanwhile, 3D printed girders from 91爆料 spinoff AIT Composites, a part of Basalt International, will uphold the new bridge under construction over the Stillwater River in Old Town. 

Other 91爆料-originated technology, like 3D printed culvert diffusers, strengthens and extends the life of aging infrastructure, offering cost-savings and keeping roads running. On the horizon, the aims to develop AI-assisted design tools and advanced composite materials that make it possible to construct bridges at half the cost, in half the time, and with twice the lifespan of many conventional designs. Other 91爆料鈥檚 spinoffs like are creating lighter, corrosion resistant alternatives to steel construction materials like flexible rebar. 

A sculpture that harnesses the sun to make learning math fun

The helps people visualize multiplication and division through play. 

91爆料 mathematics educators and artists put their heads together to develop the interactive outdoor sculpture, which made its debut in Orono鈥檚 Webster Park in 2022. As users adjust the sculpture鈥檚 reflective plate, beams of light shift across a grid to model how numbers scale and relate. 

The solar calculator invites learners of all ages to illuminate abstract mathematical concepts through light and motion.

Transforming wood waste into affordable housing

Layer by layer, 91爆料 researchers are driving down the cost, build time and environmental impact of housing. is the world鈥檚 first fully forest-derived, 3D-printed house. The structure, built outside 91爆料鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center in 2022, is made from corn glue and sawdust.  

Houses like BioHome3D can be customized, transported and assembled in a fraction of the time of traditional homes. At the end of the structure鈥檚 life, it can be ground up and reprinted, cutting construction waste and costs. It also creates a new market for Maine鈥檚 forest sector, which is awash with wood pulp following the decline of paper mills. 

The first prototype has withstood three Maine winters, proving that affordable, locally sourced materials that require far less labor that require far less labor can help replace traditional stick built homes. Now, 91爆料 is with the nonprofit Penquis to build an affordable housing community in Brewer with nine 3D-printed homes to help address the state鈥檚 housing shortage. 

Helping people with limited vision live and learn

More than 23 million Americans have vision impairment. Those affected are significantly less likely to earn a degree 鈥� about two-thirds lower than in the general population 鈥� and 30% do not travel independently. Researchers at 91爆料 aim to change those statistics through innovation. 

The 91爆料 spinoff UNAR (Universal Accessibility Research) develops technology that helps make digital information accessible to people 鈥� no matter how well they can or cannot see. Products like Morf, which instantly transforms math documents into a format that is compatible with screen readers or as a Braille file for embossing, help make education more accessible. 

91爆料鈥檚 VEMI Lab led the development of an award-winning app, Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA), that people with visual impairments and seniors safely navigate around obstacles, like ice, on foot and summon self-driving vehicles offered by ride-sharing services. 

Cargo containers that tattle on thieves

Researchers at 91爆料 and Georgia Tech developed shipping containers that guard against cargo theft, which Homeland Security Investigations costs the American economy $15-35 billion per year. The team developed a faster method for constructing lighter shipping containers with embedded sensors, integrating security directly into the structure.

The technology sparked a spinoff company, Global Secure Shipping, which embedded the sensor the team developed into composite shipping containers, enabling supply chain managers to track whether they have been tampered with, and in the process, created dozens of jobs for Mainers. 

A spinoff that saves soldiers鈥� lives

What started as an idea at 91爆料鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center has grown into a life-saving enterprise. Founded by Paul鈥疢elrose (鈥�02, 鈥�04 G) , Compotech is rooted in 91爆料-developed materials and methods. Today, the Brewer-based company designs, manufactures and deploys next-generation protection systems for the U.S. military, creating high-paying jobs in the state.

Compotech鈥檚 flagship product, the Expeditionary Shelter Protection System, uses lightweight fiber-reinforced composite armor panels that are easy to transport, fast to deploy and protect against ballistic and blast threats. The company鈥檚 precipitous growth has been recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing on the Inc. 5000 list for the . 

Steadfast steel

From machine bearings to airplane parts, high-carbon steel keeps manufacturing and travel running smoothly. 

While people have been smelting steel for millennia, manufacturers in the 1920s were able to examine the metal with new precision. They found microscopic cracks were covertly lowering the steel鈥檚 resistance to bending, twisting and impact. 

Corporations spent decades studying the issue, but it wasn鈥檛 until the 1980s when Professor John Lyman, a mechanical engineer at 91爆料, found a solution after combing through all the technical literature he could find on the issue for about 15 years. 鈥淗appily, the very first thing I tried worked,鈥� he said in a of 91爆料鈥檚 Alumni Association magazine. 

Lyman introduced additional steps to the final hardening process that controlled the formation of crystals in the steel, essentially eliminating the troublesome cracks. It was a question, Lyman said, of 鈥済etting all the available knowledge in my head and walking around with it. It popped into my head; I tried it and it worked.鈥�

On the horizon: The world鈥檚 next super product

Throughout history, people鈥檚 lives have been shaped by the tools and products they use. From Stone Age tools to today鈥檚 pervasive plastics, what we use makes one of our most lasting marks on history. If the promising possibilities being developed in 91爆料鈥檚 research labs are realized, future archaeologists may struggle to find traces of the next big everywhere material.

Nanocellulose is nature鈥檚 super polymer. This biodegradable, plant-derived substance is poised to revolutionize everyday products. 

The potential applications for nanocellulose are nearly limitless. At 91爆料, researchers work on the leading edge of these developments. These products of 91爆料 ingenuity include:

• An alternative to current implantable materials that can be resorbed by the body as bones heal, reducing the need for costly follow-up surgeries.
• Completely compostable food containers that are free of plastic and forever chemicals.听
• A that uses nanocellulose and wild blueberry extracts to help chronic wounds heal faster and more completely.
• Tougher particle board for furniture and countertops that sequesters carbon and is free of cancer-causing formaldehyde.听
• A new class of building products that includes scratch-, fire- and water-resistant flooring systems, moldable wall panels and a fire-resistant alternative to drywall that is lighter and offers superior insulation.听

91爆料 leads the nation in the supply of cellulose nanofiber and powers research with this promising material by supplying it to research labs around the globe. At the university鈥檚 Process Development Center, nanocellulose is primarily made from the wood pulp generated by forest stewardship activities. The material can also be made from wood waste and recycled fiber.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu. 

Whether it鈥檚 conducting cutting-edge research, commenting on current events or receiving that diploma, 91爆料 faculty, students and leaders made headlines locally, nationally and internationally in 2025.

From research labs and classrooms to commencement stages and championship arenas, 91爆料 was featured in more than 18,000 stories published from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. In addition, our faculty, students and leaders were quoted or referenced 25,000 times in outlets based in every U.S. state and over 40 countries. 

Below is a sampling of 91爆料 media placements in 2025.

Portland Press Herald 鈥� 鈥楾hink of 91爆料 as the R&D department of Maine itself鈥�

In an op-ed published in the , 91爆料 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy encouraged Mainers to think of the university as the state鈥檚 research and development department. 

鈥淲hile all research universities provide value to their home states, 91爆料 is invaluable to Maine,鈥� wrote Ferrini-Mundy, who also serves as vice chancellor for research and innovation for the 91爆料 System. 鈥淲ith an economy almost entirely reliant on small businesses that typically lack in-house expertise and facilities necessary to develop and improve products and processes, our university is Maine鈥檚 Research & Development (R&D) Department.鈥�

Bangor Daily News 鈥� Showcasing campus capital projects, 2026 look-ahead 

In December, the touted the many capital projects which will move the university and the state forward in the coming years. The BDN interviewed Ferrini-Mundy, Interim Vice President for Research Giovanna Guidoboni, and many others.

The BDN highlighted upcoming facilities like the GEM Factory of the Future and Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce and Innovation Center.

鈥淚 think we can see how our faculty, staff and students have helped to make all of these things attractive and possible. We have the talent here on this campus to warrant these kinds of facilities, and so it鈥檚 appropriate that they happen,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said.

People Magazine 鈥� Two senior citizens鈥� road to graduation

At age 88, Joan Alexander likely became the oldest undergraduate degree recipient in 91爆料鈥檚 160-year history, concluding a journey she began in the 1960s. Local and national news organizations, including magazine, told Alexander鈥檚 story, and how she was acknowledged during one of 91爆料鈥檚 undergraduate ceremonies in May

also featured Jules Hathaway of Veazie, Maine, who graduated with a master鈥檚 degree in student development in higher education from 91爆料 at age 73.

Bangor Daily News 鈥� Multi-story graduation celebration

When hundreds of students were awarded diplomas amid cheers from family and friends at the Cross Insurance Center, the BDN celebrated alongside them with not one, but four stories on 91爆料鈥檚 2025 commencement ceremonies. The package included a , , and . 

鈥淚 myself realized that we are all blessed by an immeasurable amount of families,鈥� said valedictorian Meg Caron during her speech, as quoted by the BDN. 鈥淔rom the sports teams I鈥檝e been a part of, the labs I鈥檝e researched in, the teachers and classmates I鈥檝e grown close to, and the roommates I鈥檝e had in Maine, Michigan, France, Costa Rica and Canada, I鈥檝e formed familial relationships with a thousand souls, and they鈥檝e each gifted me a part of themselves.鈥�

The New York Times 鈥� 鈥楬ow healthy are potatoes?鈥� 

When exploring the nutritional benefits of potatoes before Thanksgiving, the tapped an expert from the home of the popular Caribou Russet. 

Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition at 91爆料, spoke to the Times about how potatoes contain a modest amount of vitamin B6, which is needed for cardiovascular, immune and mental health. Purple and red potatoes have pigments called anthocyanins that promote cardiovascular health, slow starch digestion and help stave off cognitive problems, she said.

The Boston Globe 鈥� Hockey East champions 

The 91爆料 men鈥檚 hockey team secured its sixth Hockey East Tournament title with a 5-2 win over UConn at Boston鈥檚 TD Garden. and were among the dozens of media outlets that reported on the Black Bears鈥� first conference championship since 2004.

And they did it before a sellout crowd of over 17,000, most of them making the trip south from Maine.

鈥淚鈥檓 extremely proud of them, and happy for the guys in the room, happy for the school, and really the whole state of Maine, because it felt like the whole state was there,鈥� coach Ben Barr said after the game.

Scientific American 鈥� The dire wolf debate 

As memes and social media chatter spread worldwide about Colossal Biosciences鈥� genetic modification of gray wolf pups to resemble the dire wolf, publications like got the rundown from the experts. 91爆料鈥檚 Jacquelyn Gill, professor of terrestrial paleoecology, spoke to the inability of such extinct species to exist the same as they once did. 

鈥淸The pups] don鈥檛 have any traits that would allow us to understand the dire wolf any better than we did yesterday,鈥� Gill said, adding that understanding ice age organisms isn鈥檛 just a matter of knowing what they looked like or what they ate 鈥� but also about knowing what they did in those ancient ecosystems. 鈥淪ome of those things are coded genetically; some of those are cultural.鈥�

The New York Times 鈥� Struggles of rural children

The struggles of children in rural America and why they are dealing with increasing barriers to support services was explored in a op-ed published in November. 91爆料鈥檚 Catharine Biddle, associate professor of education, discussed the challenges rural districts face when trying to provide food, health care and counseling services to students who can鈥檛 access them elsewhere.

The op-ed notes that 鈥淚n , where she spoke to over 100 educators in rural Maine about how they dealt with children with adverse childhood experiences, a teacher mentioned that the school nurse is on site just once a month, and that teachers feel as if they are acting as ad hoc social workers on a daily basis.鈥�

WABI-TV (CBS) 鈥� Seeking a universal flu treatment 

91爆料 students are using physics to fight the flu, and joined them in the lab to showcase their work. 

A group of undergraduate and graduate students, led by physics professor Sam Hess, has been doing single molecule microscopy combined with molecular simulations to learn about how influenza viruses mutate and hijack the cells of their host. Their discoveries could lead to the creation of a universal flu treatment with potential applications for other viruses, offering more effective treatment options to defend against cold and flu season. 

鈥淭he idea is, can we come up with something more universal. So that way we鈥檙e not playing this guessing game every year,鈥� said David Winski, a graduate student at 91爆料 working on his PhD in Biophysics.

CNN 鈥� 鈥楬ow do we identify hazing?鈥� 

Following a staged kidnapping at a high school in Syracuse, New York, interviewed 91爆料鈥檚 Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education leadership, about the culture of hazing, its relevancy in schools and prevention methods. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 not really focused on 鈥榯hou shall not haze,鈥� it鈥檚 more, how do we think about the groups we鈥檙e in and the relationships we have with our teammates or with our fraternity brothers or with our band mates?鈥� she said.

Allan is a national expert on hazing, founder of and director of 91爆料鈥檚 Hazing Prevention Lab. 

HISTORY 鈥� Life during the American Revolution

During the American Revolution, the British Army captured and held many major cities like New York and Boston for months, if not years. In an interview with , Liam Riordan, a 91爆料 professor and chair of the history department, presented a picture of what the war was like beyond battlegrounds and street protests, as Americans lived under British occupation. 

鈥淣o matter your political allegiance, most people are just hunkering down and trying to survive the war without sacrificing their families,鈥� he said.

FOX Bangor/ABC 7 News 鈥� Training with cutting-edge robotics for manufacturing 

joined the grand opening of 91爆料鈥檚 B.O.T. Loft, a new robotics and automation training facility inside the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC). The facility is committed to 鈥渂uilding, optimizing and training鈥� the manufacturing workforce in Maine and beyond. This in-demand workforce needs to know how to operate new and efficient industrial technology for everything from wood products to composite materials.

鈥淎 lot of manufacturers are hesitant to put in technology and automation unless they have a workforce that鈥檚 really trained in it,鈥� said John Belding, director of the AMC. 鈥淥ur goal is to help upscale that workforce and help train their existing workforce so that they are comfortable using robotics and automation in the workplace.鈥�

Good Morning America 鈥� Printing affordable homes 

During Earth Week, featured BioHome3D, the first 100% bio-based 3D-printed home in the world. Made from local wood fiber and other recyclable materials, BioHome3D was developed by the 91爆料 Advanced Structures and Composites Center to address labor shortages, supply chains issues and affordable housing shortage. 

鈥淚n Maine, we produce about a million tons of wood waste every year in our sawmills. So we thought, 鈥楬ow do we take that waste, and make it into something valuable?鈥欌�� said ASCC executive director Habib Dagher during the interview. 

Nautilus 鈥� 鈥楬as culture surpassed genes?鈥� 

reported that human evolution may no longer be driven primarily by genetics, according to a new theory by 91爆料 researchers. 

Timothy Waring and Zachary Wood argue that cultural systems are now shaping the way humans survive, adapt and reproduce. 鈥淐ultural evolution eats genetic evolution for breakfast,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not even close.鈥�

Maine Public 鈥� Exploring cosmic phenomena with Neil DeGrasse Tyson 

Before a total lunar eclipse illuminated the night sky with an eerie red glow in Mid-March, Maine Public hosted famous astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson for a segment of its 鈥溾�� radio show on the latest astronomy news. Joining them on the call was 91爆料鈥檚 own Shawn Laatsch, director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center on campus. 

NPR 鈥� Origins of the word 鈥榖roadcasting鈥�

What is the connection between broadcasting and agriculture? 91爆料鈥檚 Michael Socolow, professor of communication and journalism, got to the bottom of it with for a report that explored the origins of the word 鈥渂roadcasting.鈥� 

What began as a word describing a method of spreading plant seed expanded its meaning in the early 20th century as radios became the most common way for people to receive news, starting with the election of President Warren G. Harding in 1920. 

鈥淏y the end of the 1930s, when you used the word 鈥榖roadcasting,鈥� Americans all knew it meant radio broadcasting,鈥� Socolow said.

Gizmodo 鈥� Tiny technology advancing nuclear generation 

praised the tiny, but powerful sensor created by 91爆料 researchers to enhance monitoring capabilities and safety for next-gen nuclear reactors. These microelectronic sensors are capable of withstanding extreme environments 鈥� temperatures up to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit and intense radiation. 

Mauricio Pereira da Cunha, the Roger Clapp Castle and Virginia Averill Castle Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was the principal investigator on the project. The breakthrough positions 91爆料 at the forefront of high-temperature, radiation-resistant materials innovation. 

CBS News 鈥� New tick species for Maine 

In August, 91爆料 Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) confirmed the presence of a new species of tick for the state: the invasive Asian longhorned tick. The news of its detection for the first time in Maine garnered headlines nationwide, including on .

鈥淭his discovery underscores the critical importance of continued tick surveillance in Maine,鈥� said Griffin Dill, director of the 91爆料 Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab. 鈥淲hile this appears to be an isolated case, we are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and federal partners.鈥�

News Center Maine 鈥� Providing meals for those in need 

joined hundreds of students and other volunteers as they packaged 52,920 meals to donate to people experiencing food insecurity for the Maine Day Meal Packout on April 30 at the Memorial Gym.  

The event was organized by Honors College faculty, staff and students, who raised over $19,400 to purchase the meals, which were given to over two dozen food banks and pantries in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 really wonderful to now be on this side and now see the full circle of how we get these meals to communities in need,鈥� said Jasper Makowski, 91爆料 student and outreach coordinator for the Maine Day Meal Packout. 

U.S. News & World Report 鈥� Growing the blue economy workforce 

A story from highlighted 91爆料 degrees that help prepare students for careers in the blue economy. Those include the bachelor鈥檚 degree in marine science with options to specialize in aquaculture, marine biology or physical science, MaineMBA that offers a blue economy concentration.

U.S. News interviewed Jason Harkins, executive dean of the Maine Business School, and Diane Rowland, dean of the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences, and director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station.

Mainebiz 鈥� Reynolds gym revitalization 

In April, students, regional and state leaders and other guests celebrated the reopening of the newly renovated Reynolds Gymnasium on the 91爆料 at Machias campus. 

highlighted facility updates, which include new, NCAA-compliant hardwood floor, new bleachers, upgraded scoreboards, a new sound system and other enhancements to support student and community events. 

鈥淭his project represents more than just a new floor and bleachers 鈥� it represents a revitalized space for our students, faculty, staff and the wider Downeast community,鈥� said Megan Walsh, 91爆料 Machias鈥� dean and campus director. 

Associated Press 鈥� Energy and environmental cost of AI 

With the use of artificial intelligence growing rapidly nationwide and the emergence of many data centers designed to support it, the examined the impacts of the technology on our energy and the environment. 

Jon Ippolito, professor of new media at 91爆料, spoke to AP on the potential impact of AI and showcased his that explores the environmental footprint of using it for different digital tasks. Ippolito said tech companies are constantly working to make chips and data centers more efficient, but that does not mean AI鈥檚 environmental impact will shrink. This story was shared in about 200 news outlets across the globe.

WMTW (ABC) 鈥� Little insect and its big threat for Maine woods

Spruce budworms are among the most destructive native forest pests in North America. Outbreaks kill trees, rendering the timber useless, increasing the risk of wildfire and causing a series of ecological effects.

In February, Angela Mech, director of 91爆料鈥檚 Spruce Budworm Lab, spoke with about their destructive impact on Maine woods and efforts to curtail their damage. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 normally here all the time, but in very low densities, we can鈥檛 normally find it. But about every 40 years, it explodes,鈥� Mech said. 

Newsweek &苍产蝉辫;鈥� Tackling prescription drug costs with science

Researchers discovered a sustainable method to produce the key ingredient in a broad range of pharmaceuticals, which could help address high prescription drug costs in the U.S. 

Thomas Schwartz, project lead and associate director of 91爆料鈥檚 Forest Bioproducts Research Institute, and Philip Kersten, research collaborator from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spoke with about their work. They explored a new, cost-reducing pathway to produce one of these crucial building blocks, (S)-3-hydroxy-纬-butyrolactone (HBL), from glucose at high concentrations and yields. 

鈥淚nitial economic analysis suggests our process can be used to produce HBL much less expensively than the current process, which opens the door to producing new consumer products as well as more affordable pharmaceuticals,鈥� Schwartz and Kersten explained.

WGME (CBS) 鈥� Improving cancer detection with AI

A research team led by two 91爆料 Ph.D students developed an artificial intelligence system that could make it easier and faster for doctors to identify signs of breast cancer in tissue samples, possibly preventing delays and saving lives.

Jeremy Juybari and Josh Hamilton spoke with (Channel 13 in Portland) about this new tool, which introduces a deep learning architecture designed to interpret microscopic images of tissue with greater precision than conventional AI models.

鈥淲e have one part of the model that looks at a detailed resolution of an image, you can see down to the cell level,鈥� Juybari said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just the detailed tissue region that matters, it鈥檚 the surrounding tissue structure that also contains a lot of information that鈥檚 important for the model to figure out if this detailed region has cancer or not.鈥�

The Independent 鈥� Safely enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers

Many people enjoy eating Thanksgiving leftovers, but without proper storage, they can lead to foodborne illness. In an article warning readers against leaving leftovers out too long, shared tips from Extension鈥檚 Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek on how to safely enjoy Thanksgiving for a second time. In particular, the publication noted Evrendilek鈥檚 tips on reheating food and reboiling gravy. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

Discover campus and coastal life at the 91爆料 through 鈥淟ife in the Pines,鈥� where real students share their experiences studying, exploring nature and embracing community on both the Orono and Machias campuses.

鈥淟ife in the Pines,鈥� an unscripted video series sharing stories of students at the 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias, has launched its second season.

Each episode follows a student along their academic journey, whether it takes them to the coast, wild blueberry fields, medical research labs, K-12 classrooms, basketball courts or, literally, through the pines. Prioritizing authenticity, this series seeks to show what life is really like for students at both campuses. Visit to watch the full series.

Students to be featured this season include: 

• Alan Chausse, a forestry major who also plays in a band and rock climbs.
• Quincy Clifford, a business management major who has studied abroad in Costa Rica and played basketball with other students from around the globe.
• Jasper Makowski, a microbiology major, Honors College student, medical research lab student researcher and Circle K New England district governor.
• McKenna Chappell, a parks, recreation and tourism major who spends mornings creating art and afternoons teaching children about Maine鈥檚 outdoors.
• Nico Durkee, a studio art major in the marching band who plays with molten metal in the sculpture studio.听
• Lauren Smack, a sociology major, singer and dancer who鈥檚 made Orono her new home.听
• Isabelle Puccio, a biomedical engineering major who conducts breast cancer research and searches for ways to combine music and science.
• Samantha Ney, an elementary education major who lives life on Marsh Island to the fullest, from walking the trails to cheering on the Black Bears.听
• Jeffrey Nowack, who never thought he would be a drum major until he recently discovered his passion 鈥� and possible career paths 鈥� for music education.
• Joey Ferguson, an integrative biology major who conducts wild blueberry research and responds to marine mammal strandings in Downeast Maine.听

Don鈥檛 miss this insider鈥檚 look at 91爆料 through the lens of a dynamic group of students living life in the pines.

Transcript:

I have friends that are going to school right now in Colorado and Nebraska and they鈥檙e beautiful, but Maine is forged by nature and forged by the people that are here. I feel like it鈥檚 a flex.

The research farm recently underwent a $3 million renovation funded by the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan so that the land-grant university could accelerate its development of new potato varieties, like the successful Caribou Russet, and the growth of Maine鈥檚 agricultural economy and workforce

Gov. Janet Mills and leaders of the 91爆料 and Maine Potato Board celebrated the completion of a $3 million renovation of the flagship鈥檚 Aroostook Farm with a ceremonial ribbon cutting today in Presque Isle. 

For more than a century, the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station鈥檚 (MAFES) 425-acre Aroostook Farm has been the heart of 91爆料鈥檚 agricultural research to benefit the state鈥檚 potato industry, including breeding innovations like the Caribou Russet 鈥� .

Thanks to the success of this high-yield spud, which 91爆料 researchers intentionally bred to be disease-resistant and tolerant of weather-related stress, Maine is one of only three states where potato production expanded between 2000 and 2022. The industry now has a $1.3 billion annual economic impact in the state, supporting more than 6,500 jobs, according to . 

Developing a new potato variety like the Caribou Russet typically takes 10-12 years, requiring evaluation of multiple potential varieties in the pipeline at a time.

Changing climate and markets are necessitating speeding up that process, something that can be achieved by measuring and assessing yield and other characteristics of more potential varieties simultaneously. The advanced technology improvements to Aroostook Farm will now make that possible.

In a renovated potato storage building now converted into a lab, new DNA phenotyping and imaging equipment, optical sorters, sensors and even machines that detect sugar levels will give 91爆料 researchers the ability to breed the most desirable potatoes. In the farm鈥檚 fields, new drones will enable them to more efficiently monitor and manage nearly 6,000 test plots, allowing for a better understanding of how changing conditions, including weather and pests, affect each variety under development.

鈥楢 game-changer for the state鈥檚 potato industry鈥�The modernization was funded using $3 million of $35 million provided to the 91爆料 System (UMS) through (MJRP) 鈥� proposed by Gov. Mills and approved by the 130th Maine Legislature to spur the state鈥檚 economic recovery and long-term growth by strategically investing federal pandemic relief funds. 

鈥淲ith tools like drones that will fly over the farm鈥檚 nearly 6,000 test plots, the Aroostook Farm will help agriculture students better determine which potato varieties are most resistant to weather, pests and disease, and develop successful new varieties, like the Caribou Russet, to keep Maine-grown potatoes in high demand,鈥� said Gov. Mills. 鈥淲hen we created the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan to build an economy of the future, this is exactly the type of payoff we were envisioning. I congratulate the 91爆料 and our entire agriculture community on the transformation of the Aroostook Farm in Presque Isle into an advanced research institution.鈥�

The Maine Potato Board and Farm Credit East, ACA also contributed to the capital project. 

A portion of MJRP funds are supporting paid internships at Aroostook Farm for dozens of students from the land-grant 91爆料, the 91爆料 at Presque Isle and the 91爆料 at Farmington.

鈥淢odern research facilities are necessary to deliver the skilled talent and cutting-edge innovation Maine needs to compete in the 21st-century global economy. This new state-of-the-art breeding facility will accelerate the development of future varieties and a workforce necessary to the resilience of Maine鈥檚 top agricultural commodity and dependent rural communities, while providing hands-on research learning experiences for our students that prepare them for rewarding careers,鈥� said 91爆料 President and UMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淲e are grateful to Gov. Mills and her Administration, the Legislature and our industry partners for the investments that made possible the modernization of Aroostook Farm and 91爆料鈥檚 continued contributions to the success and sustainability of Maine鈥檚 iconic potato industry.鈥�

鈥淭he Maine Potato Board appreciates the 91爆料 making this project a priority, and their decades of leadership, research and responsiveness to our growers and producers,鈥� said Maine Potato Board Executive Director Jeannie Tapley. 鈥淭he investments made here will help develop the next Caribou Russet more quickly and the next generation of researchers necessary for our industry to adapt and continue producing the highest-quality potatoes in the world right here in Maine.鈥� 

鈥淭he modernization of Aroostook Farm made possible by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan will be a game-changer for the state鈥檚 potato industry,鈥� said 91爆料 College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences Dean and MAFES Director Diane Rowland. 鈥淭hese new technologies will deliver new varieties to our farmers quicker and with greater certainty, ensuring processors have the high-quality Maine potatoes they need and consumers enjoy, and our natural resource economy and dependent rural communities can continue to thrive.鈥� 

UMS has invested its share of MJRP funds to enhance world-class research led by the 91爆料, the state鈥檚 only institution to have achieved the R1 Carnegie Classification, and expand the Maine workforce in high-demand fields such as engineering and computing, education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and tourism and hospitality. 

The System鈥檚 MJRP-funded initiatives have already provided career development or job training to more than 5,300 Mainers, supported nearly 2,000 student internships and apprenticeships and helped 800 individuals earn a new license or credential.

The modernization of Aroostook Farm was one of four MJRP-funded capital projects undertaken by 91爆料 to strengthen and grow the state鈥檚 natural resource industries and is the first to be completed. Construction on the Orono campus is currently underway for the Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce and Innovation Center, Green Engineering and Materials Factory of the Future and Food Innovation Lab, all of which also benefited from Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, the current chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King. 

Contact: Samantha Warren, 207.632.0389; samantha.warren@maine.edu

The ribbon cutting was also featured in the and .

Caribou Russets were the most popular potato seed variety in Maine in 2023. The variety was developer by Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) researcher, Dr. Greg Porter (retired, 2023), through the 91爆料. The study originally reported by magazine has taken the state by storm appearing in many local publications including , , and . MAFES is continuing its potato breeding program under Dr. Mario Andrade and is excited about developing new varieties in a changing climate to help Maine and worldwide potato industries flourish.

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) awarded Xiuyan Zhang, a Ph.D. student with the 91爆料鈥檚 Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, its 2024-25 Academic Scholarship. 

The $10,000 scholarship, awarded annually to a graduate student who is interested in research that could benefit the potato industry, will support Zhang, who is studying under associate professor Jianjun Hao with the School of Food and Agriculture, as she investigates the dynamic behavior of bacterial species that cause potato blackleg and soft rot disease, according to the organization. 

鈥淚 am truly humbled and motivated by this selection,鈥� said Zhang after receiving the scholarship. 鈥淭his not only supports my research but enhances the potato industry and its future. I extend my deepest gratitude to Potato LEAF for their commitment to fostering research, innovation, and development. Together, we will drive meaningful advancements that will greatly benefit potato growers around the globe and ensure a vibrant future for the U.S. potato sector.鈥� 

Read the full story about Zhang鈥檚 award on the . 

Augusta (August 27, 2024) 鈥� The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today an investment in Maine鈥檚 agricultural sector of more than $600,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards (SCBGP). This funding will help a diverse group of recipients, including the 91爆料 System, North Spore, LLC, and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, to drive innovation and create new market opportunities for our state’s specialty crop producers. These grants are crucial in helping our farmers and producers withstand the ongoing and mounting challenges facing the agriculture sector posed by the economy and environment.

鈥淭hese grants are more than just financial support鈥攖hey’re a vote of confidence in the ingenuity and dedication of our farmers and researchers,鈥� said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. 鈥淲e believe in their ability to lead the charge towards a vibrant future for Maine agriculture.鈥�

鈥淲e are happy to once again be partnered with Maine on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,鈥� said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. 鈥淭he innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region鈥檚 specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.鈥�

The USDA labels as 鈥渟pecialty crops鈥� crops including fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, and flowers that people eat or use directly鈥攁s opposed to commodity crops like soy and corn, which are used as ingredients in other products. The SCBGP is important, in part, because specialty crop agriculture is the predominant form of agriculture in Maine. 

 鈥淭hese funds will be vital to helping our farmers and food producers achieve success and broadening the market for specialty crops in Maine and across the U.S.,鈥� said Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Craig Lapine. 鈥淪CBGP supports local and regional projects to help farmers and producers become more competitive now and in the future.鈥� 

Through the SCBGP, the DACF will fund eight impactful projects. These initiatives aim to educate farmers on sustainable and profitable mushroom cultivation, combat disease to protect wild blueberry health, boost apple and potato production and profitability, develop guidelines to extend the harvest window for cut flowers, and enhance food safety. Notable projects in Maine include:

• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association: Maine Produce Safety Improvement and FSMA PSR Education Project. $84,190聽
• North Spore, LLC: Development of Multimedia Educational Modules for More Farmers to Access Mushroom Cultivation Using Sustainable Practices. $93,800聽
• Dr. Seanna Annis, 91爆料 System: Mitigating the Effects of Mummy Berry on Wild Blueberry Plant Health. $93,425聽
• Dr. Stephanie Burnett, 91爆料 System: Succession Planting for Locally Grown Cut Flowers. $83,350聽
• Dr. Philip Fanning, 91爆料 System: Connecting Better Wild Blueberry Nutrients for Improved Pollination, Pollinator Health, and Pest Management. $93,490聽
• Dr. Peyton Ginakes, 91爆料 System: Creating a Maine Garlic Integrated Pest Management Program. $51,560聽
• Dr. Qing Jin, 91爆料 System: Increasing Potato Production and Soilborne Disease Suppression by Organic Soil Amendment and Biocontrol Organisms. $81,525聽
• Dr. Renae Moran, 91爆料 System: New Tools for Increasing Apple Production Profitability. $22,965聽

DACF will apply $55,807 in funding to ensure awardees abide by federal and state requirements and regulations by working to administer the SCBGP funding. Find more information about current and past SCBG projects on the DACF . 

Typically, DACF releases an SCBGP Request for Proposals in February, with applications due in March or April. Since 2002, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has awarded more than $7.5 million to DACF to support the growing number of specialty crop producers selling in local and regional markets. 

The funding to Maine is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA鈥檚 support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production, expand markets, and ensure an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops is available to all Americans.

interviewed Andrei Alyokhin, a professor of applied entomology at the 91爆料 School of Biology & Ecology, for a story about Calantha, a new pesticide to combat Colorado potato beetles. These beetles have developed a resistance to traditional pesticides over the years, but Calantha, created by GreenLight Biosciences, uses RNA interference (RNAi) to deal with them. Alyokhin worked with GreenLight Biosciences on testing ledprona, an active ingredient in Calantha, for several years.

Warm weather means many farms across Maine will be hosting public access hours and events (check or local farm websites for hours and details). MAFES’ Aroostook, Blueberry Hill, Highmoor, and Rogers farms will all be hosting field days and other opportunities for public access throughout the summer (see our events page for details). Farm visits are an excellent opportunity to take the family out for some fresh air, learn about local agriculture, and enjoy bucolic Maine. However, it is important to remember that you are guests on fully operation farms that your neighbors rely on for their livelihood. Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provides a list of “Top Ten Farm visit Dont’s” to ensure a safe and respectful farm visit:

1. Don’t Ignore Farm Rules

Every farm has its own set of rules designed to protect both visitors and animals. Ignoring these rules can lead to accidents or disruptions. Always pay attention to and follow the guidelines provided by the farm staff.

2. Don’t Wander Off

Farms can be large and sometimes hazardous areas with machinery, uneven terrain, and restricted zones. Stay within designated areas and follow paths to avoid getting lost or entering dangerous locations.

3. Don’t Feed the Animals Without Permission

Feeding farm animals without permission can harm them, as not all foods are safe for every animal. Always ask the farmer before feeding any animals to ensure it’s secure and appropriate.

4. Don’t Startle the Animals

Sudden movements or loud noises can startle farm animals, causing them stress or triggering defensive behavior. Approach animals calmly and quietly to ensure a safe interaction.

5. Don’t Bring Pets

Bringing your pets to a farm can introduce diseases to the farm animals and create stress or aggressive encounters. Please leave your pets at home unless the farm specifically allows and welcomes them.

6. Don’t Touch Equipment

Farm machinery and tools can be dangerous if handled improperly. Only touch or operate equipment with explicit permission and supervision from farm staff.

7. Don’t Leave Gates Open

Leaving gates open can lead to animals escaping, which can be dangerous and create much work for the farmers. Always close gates behind you unless instructed otherwise.

8. Don’t Litter

Littering can harm animals and damage the environment. Always dispose of your trash properly and carry out what you bring in.

9. Don’t Wear Inappropriate Clothing

Farms can be muddy, dusty, and full of insects. Wear sturdy, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself and ensure a relaxed visit.

10. Don’t Ignore Safety Signs

Safety signs are placed for a reason. Ignoring them can lead to accidents or harm. Remember all posted signs and warnings to keep yourself and others safe.

Following these guidelines ensures a pleasant and respectful farm visit, benefiting you and the farm community. Do bring your sense of adventure and appreciation for exploring these local businesses we all care about.