This year’s Distinguished Engineers and Dean’s Distinguished Members represent leadership across academia, research, and industry. Emily A. Haddad was recognized for her extensive leadership in higher education, overseeing academic programs, faculty, and student success initiatives that support thousands of students and a broad general education curriculum across the university. She has also played a crucial role in supporting UMS TRANSFORMS and the early development and momentum of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), helping shape system-level academic innovation and cross-campus collaboration.

Ahmed Aboelezz was honored for his research and teaching in UAV systems, aerodynamics, and bio-inspired flight, supported by extensive externally funded research and a strong commitment to student mentorship. In addition, Aboelezz has demonstrated his commitment to making his research accessible through extensive K–12 outreach and engagement, including student rocket launch activities designed to spark interest in engineering and inspire the next generation of students.

Distinguished engineering alumni and leaders honored this year included Ross Bryant ’98, president and CEO of Fluid Imaging Technologies, recognized for leadership in analytical instrumentation and life sciences innovation; Christopher Gordon ’85, president of Wynn Development for Wynn Resorts, honored for global leadership in large-scale real estate and infrastructure development; Ben Townsend ’08, co-president and owner of Colby Company Engineering, recognized for multidisciplinary engineering consulting leadership; and Robert Monahan ’86, CEO and co-founder of UPPAbaby, honored for engineering-driven innovation in consumer product design and global brand development.

Student recognition highlighted outstanding academic achievement, research and leadership across the college.

Top graduating and outstanding students included Ella Boxall, outstanding graduating student in civil engineering, recognized for work in water resources engineering, sustainability and environmental resilience; Isabelle Irani, 91±¬ÁĎ co-salutatorian in biomedical engineering, recognized for excellence in academics, Division I athletics and research in sustainable biomaterials in the Neivandt Lab; and Karun Varghese, outstanding graduating international student in electrical engineering, recognized for work in robotics, autonomous systems and research across multiple 91±¬ÁĎ laboratories, as well as leadership and global engagement.

Additional MCEC outstanding students by unit were also recognized, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Kenzie Karpinski (chemical engineering), Ella Boxall (civil and environmental engineering), Chris Persinger (electrical engineering), Karun Varghese (computer engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics), Kat Gross (mechanical engineering) and Katie Fletcher (new media).

The Francis J. Hovey Award recipients were also honored for academic excellence and distinction, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Jacob Levesque (chemical engineering), Joe Thorpe (civil and environmental engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Samuel Bach (electrical and computer engineering) and Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics).

All eligible students in attendance were formally inducted into the Francis Crowe Society, joining a professional community of engineering and computing graduates committed to lifelong learning, service and impact in their fields.

Together, the ceremony reflects the mission of the Francis Crowe Society: to recognize excellence across all stages of the engineering and computing profession and to celebrate the lasting contributions of 91±¬ÁĎ students, alumni and faculty to society.

Dr. David Neivandt – Ashley S. Campbell Award
Dr. David Neivandt is a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at the 91±¬ÁĎ whose research spans interfacial chemistry, biomaterials, and sustainable composites. His work includes innovations in engineered implants, cellulose-based materials, and environmentally friendly composites derived from biological waste. He has contributed to multiple patents and interdisciplinary advances in materials science and biomedical engineering.

Arieana Mangra – Leila C. Lowell Award for Exemplary Staff Support
Arieana Mangra, Director of Student Success and Advising Center, has led a transformation in student support at the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. Under her leadership, the college achieved its highest first- and second-year retention rates in 15 years. She is credited with building an advising program, including a new center, from the ground up and strengthening a proactive, student-centered advising model across the college.

Isaac Sewell – Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Isaac Sewell serves as the sole graduate teaching assistant for the Mechanical Engineering capstone sequence at the 91±¬ÁĎ. He manages grading, course logistics, and materials distribution for more than 80 students, consistently delivering highly organized systems and detailed feedback. His work has significantly improved course efficiency, grade accuracy, and the overall student experience.

Sandro Zier – Graduate Research Assistant Award
Sandro Zier is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at the 91±¬ÁĎ whose research focuses on sustainable materials and scalable manufacturing processes. He has developed roll-to-roll coating systems for cellulose nanofiber applications and pioneered innovative bio-based barrier technologies using fungal mycelium. His work bridges laboratory research and industrial-scale implementation in sustainable packaging.

Dr. Laura Gurney – Early Career Teaching Award
Dr. Laura Gurney is a lecturer in Computer Science at the 91±¬ÁĎ recognized for her commitment to student success and curriculum development. She teaches foundational programming and advanced computing courses while actively supporting student mentorship initiatives and accreditation efforts. Her leadership has contributed to improved student retention and strengthened academic pathways in computing.

Dr. Philip King – Early Career Teaching Award
Dr. Philip King is an early-career mechanical engineering faculty member at the 91±¬ÁĎ specializing in manufacturing engineering education. He has redesigned key courses to incorporate hands-on learning with modern manufacturing technologies and CAD systems. His teaching is consistently highly rated by students and supported by strong engagement in research and graduate mentorship.

Dr. Prabuddha Chakraborty – Early Career Research Award
Dr. Prabuddha Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the 91±¬ÁĎ focused on hardware security and trustworthy AI systems. He leads multiple federally funded research projects and has built a nationally recognized research program in secure microelectronics and intelligent systems. His work includes widely published research, patents, and leadership roles in major engineering conferences and journals.

Dr. Amrit Verma – Early Career Research Award
Dr. Amrit Verma is a research leader in offshore wind energy and marine operations at the 91±¬ÁĎ. He founded the Wind Energy and Marine Operations Lab and has secured significant funding for research on wind turbine performance, installation, and digital twin modeling. His work has advanced both experimental testing systems and large-scale offshore wind deployment strategies.

Ashley S. Campbell Award
Recognizes a faculty member for outstanding excellence in teaching, research, and service that has brought distinction to engineering education.

Leila C. Lowell Award for Exemplary Staff Support
Honors staff members who provide exceptional service and support that significantly enhances student success and strengthens the College community.

Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Award
The College’s highest external honor, recognizing individuals whose engineering achievements, leadership, and impact bring distinction to the profession.

Early Career Research Award
Recognizes early-career faculty for exceptional research achievement, innovation, and growing national or international impact.

Early Career Teaching Award
Honors early-career faculty for outstanding and innovative teaching, strong student engagement, and contributions to curriculum and learning.

Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Recognizes graduate students who demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in teaching, mentoring, and supporting undergraduate learning.

Graduate Research Assistant Award
Honors graduate students for outstanding research contributions, creativity, technical excellence, and scholarly impact.

These scholarships will provide $1,000 awards to one hundred  deserving undergraduate students, helping them continue their studies, achieve licensure, and advance in their surveying careers. 

To learn more about the Survey Engineering Technology program, visit our website.

Contact: Taylor Ward,taylor.ward@maine.edu

The 91±¬ÁĎ has appointed Giovanna Guidoboni as interim vice president for research while she continues to serve as the inaugural dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). In this dual leadership role, Guidoboni will help foster education, research, and innovation at the 91±¬ÁĎ while strengthening collaboration across the 91±¬ÁĎ System and state.

As dean of MCEC, Guidoboni leads one of the university’s largest academic units, home to more than 2,600 students and a key driver of the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative, a systemwide effort to expand engineering and computing education, research and workforce development in Maine. Under her leadership, the college has bridged disciplines, strengthened research and innovation,  fostered statewide partnerships, modernized labs and built new buildings to prepare the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. 

In her interim vice-presidential role, Guidoboni will oversee 91±¬ÁĎ’s research enterprise, support faculty and student scholarship, and build new opportunities for collaboration with industry, government and community partners. Her appointment reflects 91±¬ÁĎ’s continued commitment to advancing discovery and innovation that serve Maine and the world.

A world-renowned expert in ocular biomechanics and mathematical modeling, Guidoboni directs the Laboratory for Computational and Mathematical Modeling in Medicine, Engineering and Technology (CoMET Lab) at 91±¬ÁĎ. Her research combines mathematics, physics and engineering to understand ocular diseases such as glaucoma, using computational tools to explore the connections between fluid dynamics, vision loss and intraocular pressure. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and European Commission.

“My passion has always been connecting people and ideas across fields to make something greater than any one discipline alone,” Guidoboni said. “I believe everyone should have access to research whether they are students just beginning their journey or faculty leading major projects. Together we can continue to grow a culture of innovation as a learner-centered R1 institution that reaches every corner of the University and beyond.”

Guidoboni joined 91±¬ÁĎ in 2023 after serving as associate dean for research and professor of mathematics, electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Missouri. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and a master’s in engineering of materials from the University of Ferrara in Italy. Guidoboni is an Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and holds a joint faculty position at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NY).

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

Roy is one of 74 leaders in engineering and technology worldwide elected to the academy this year. Fellowship recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering, advancing the profession through innovation, research and leadership.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is the U.K.’s national academy for engineering. Its fellowship, known as FREng, includes more than 1,700 of the world’s most accomplished engineers. Members advise policymakers, promote innovation and education, and help shape solutions to global challenges.

A Maine native and 1981 graduate of 91±¬ÁĎ in engineering physics, Roy has held academic and research appointments across the United States and abroad. He earned advanced degrees at the University of Mississippi and Yale University before serving as chair of mechanical engineering at Boston University. In 2013, he was appointed professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Oxford, where he later served as head of the Department of Engineering Science from 2019 to 2024.

His research spans physical acoustics, ultrasonics and biomedical applications, with international recognition for advancing the understanding of bubble dynamics and acoustic wave propagation. Roy is also a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and recipient of its Helmholtz-Rayleigh Interdisciplinary Silver Medal.

Roy joined 91±¬ÁĎ’s MCEC earlier this year as director of research and strategic partnerships.

“This fellowship is a supreme honor,” Roy said. “It recognizes not only individual accomplishments, but also the power of engineering collaboration across disciplines and continents.”

The 2025 class of fellows will be formally admitted at a ceremony on Nov. 18 in London.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu 

The investment, made possible through UMS TRANSFORMS, will support 44 researchers and students spanning engineering and computing programs across the 91±¬ÁĎ System. The awards are designed to increase recruitment and retention, developing programming at the , creating interdisciplinary programs in emerging fields, enhancing research, deepening collaboration among 91±¬ÁĎ System institutions and strengthening partnerships with industry.

“These awards, made possible by the invaluable support of UMS TRANSFORMS and the Harold Alfond Foundation, highlight the incredible breadth of interdisciplinary work at 91±¬ÁĎ,” said Giovanna Guidoboni, Dean of MCEC. “From future transportation systems and advanced manufacturing to building sustainability and immersive virtual reality, this wide-ranging focus ensures we are addressing diverse challenges and preparing our students for cutting-edge careers.”

Developing Graduate and Undergraduate Certificate Program in Ocean Engineering and Maritime Digitalization

• Amrit Verma, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Andrew Goupee, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Richard Kimball, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Yifeng Zhu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Masoud Rais-Rohani, Department of Mechanical Engineering 

The project aims to create an online undergraduate and graduate certificate program in Ocean Engineering and Maritime Digitalization, with the primary goal of training students and professionals to design, operate, and maintain digitally enhanced maritime systems and ocean infrastructure, including applications of digital twin systems in ocean industries.

Surveying Engineering Technology on campus programming

• Will Manion, School of Engineering Technology  
• Rich Vannozzi, School of Engineering Technology

The primary goal of the project is to increase enrollment of traditional on-campus students, and particularly, Maine resident students, in the Surveying Engineering Technology Program.

Game Design and Development: Multi-Campus Academic Program

• Penny Rheingans, School of Computing and Information Science 
• Joseph Szakas, 91±¬ÁĎ at Augusta 

This proposal aims to create a new multi-campus Game Design and Development program across the 91±¬ÁĎ System. It will combine the expertise of faculty from various institutions to allow students to complete the program at any participating campus, with funding supporting new course development, remote learning initiatives, and necessary hardware.

Integrating Pre-Engineering Students into their Major

• Megan Walsh, 91±¬ÁĎ at Machias

The Integrating Pre-engineering Students into Their Major project plans to increase the progression of pre-engineering students at 91±¬ÁĎ’s regional campus, the 91±¬ÁĎ at Machias, into the appropriate engineering program at the 91±¬ÁĎ by housing an engineering graduate student on the UMM campus to mentor undergraduate pre-engineering students.

Maine Community Colleges to 91±¬ÁĎ Pathways in Engineering

• Masoud Rais-Rohani, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Christopher Mordaunt, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The project’s primary goal is to establish a viable pathway through the Transfer ME program for Maine community college students to pursue an engineering degree at 91±¬ÁĎ.

Summer Bridge: Accelerating Community College Transfers in Engineering Through Online C Programming

• Yifeng Zhu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The project aims to accelerate community college transfers in engineering by offering a fully asynchronous online C programming course that bridges curricular gaps and ensures timely progression toward graduation

Developing Asynchronous Online Courses for the Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence Certificate

• Yifeng Zhu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering  
• Vikas Dhiman, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Xueyu Hou, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

To create four asynchronous online courses for the Engineering Applications of AI certificate that expand statewide access, drive enrollment growth, and equip learners and industry professionals with essential, workforce-ready AI skills.

Energize UMS Campus Life with the Concept of Transportation+

• Ruijie “Rebecca” Bian, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 

This project creates an open-forum to engage students in depicting a future picture of on-campus mobility, while connecting UMS students through events and trips to explore future transportation systems and career opportunities in the sector.

Building a Multi-Institutional Community of Practice for Engineering Capstone Project

• Ashanthi Maxworth, Department of Engineering (USM) 
• Wilhelm Friess, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Carolyn Arcand, Muskie School of Public Service (USM)

The goal of this project is to develop a multi-institutional community of practice for the engineering capstone project to share knowledge, experience and resources within a collaborative framework.

Expanding the Human-Centered Technology Design Program: Expanding Access, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, and Workforce Readiness

• Nimesha Ranasinghe, School of Computing and Information Science 
• Aaron Boothroyd, School of Computing and Information Science

The Human-Centered Technology Design (HCTD) Program expansion aims to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, increase student enrollment and retention, and provide cutting-edge, hands-on learning opportunities in human-centered design across the 91±¬ÁĎ System using the mini GEM facility.

Building Energy Monitor Display for Ferland Hall

• Justin Lapp, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Nimesha Ranasinghe, School of Computing and Information Science

This project will design, develop, and install a real-time building energy monitoring display in 91±¬ÁĎ’s Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center.

The MCEC Imaginarium

• Richard Corey, VEMI Lab
• Ruhammah (Ru) LaGarry, VEMI Lab
• RJ Perry, VEMI Lab

The MCEC Imaginarium will serve as an immersive portal to the groundbreaking research at the 91±¬ÁĎ System, providing a place for everyone to explore the exciting work happening across our campuses and streamlining collaboration with our industry partners by highlighting areas of active research and development across disciplines.

New CIE Winter Travel Course: Sustainability in the Peruvian Amazon

• Reed Miller, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Advanced Structures and Composites Center

A new faculty-led travel course will take undergraduate engineering students to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest to learn hands-on about biodiversity and the conservation challenges posed by increasing infrastructure and development.

MCEC PhD Scholars Fellowship Program

• Masoud Rais-Rohani, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The goal of this project is to help establish MCEC PhD Scholars Fellowship Program aimed at attracting high quality domestic PhD students to engineering from US institutions outside of Maine.

Expanding Smart Factory Training for Undergraduate and Graduate Education

• Bradley Denholm, Advanced Manufacturing Center
• John Belding, Advanced Manufacturing Center

The AMC Bot Loft at 91±¬ÁĎ will expand its Smart Factory training system to double student lab capacity and enhance Industry 4.0 education across undergraduate, graduate, and K-12 programs.

MCEC Global — Pilot Development of Online Graduate Aerospace Engineering Certificate

• Wilhelm Friess, Department of Mechanical Engineering 
• Kewei Zu, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The MCEC Global project aims to develop the necessary delivery framework and online course content to offer the Graduate Certificate in Aerospace Engineering in full asynchronous online mode to students in Maine and beyond.

Growing and Strengthening the BME Program via Curricula Modernization and the Development of a Sustainable Eng. Gen-Ed and Project Description

• Karissa Tilbury, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Lisa Weeks, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Ray Kennard, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Michael Mason, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Andre Khalil, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Dave Neivandt, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Cailtin Howell, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Bob Bowie, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Peter Van Walsum, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Innovative Biocompatibility Module Gives First-Year Biomedical Engineering Students a Head Start on Industry-Ready Skills.

A Virtual Reality Educational Tool for Understanding PFAS Transport in Soil

• Jean MacRea, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 
• Xiaoxiao Zhao, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• RJ Perry, VEMI Lab
• Manisha Choudhary, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Our project aims to develop an interactive virtual reality tool that simulates PFAS transport in soils and to integrate it into STEM curricula to help students visualize and understand these processes, thereby enhancing STEM education across Maine.

Intelligent Manufacturing in Maine (IM2)

• Justin Willis, Advanced Structures and Composites Center 
• Roberto Lopez Anido, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
• Keith Berube, School of Engineering Technology

This project intends to develop a Research Learning Experience (RLE) in intelligent manufacturing in Maine, to better expose 91±¬ÁĎ students to the sustainable, data-driven, and interdisciplinary processes present in current and emerging Industry 4.0 smart factories.

The Maine College of Engineering and Computing is a signature initiative of UMS TRANSFORMS, a $320M investment by the Harold Alfond Foundation to drive the innovations and technical workforce critical to advancing Maine’s economy. 

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

The 2025 Francis Crowe Society Induction Ceremony took place on Sunday, May 11, celebrating the accomplishments of some of the 91±¬ÁĎ’s most distinguished engineering alumni and over 250 graduating students. Named after Francis Trenholm Crowe, 91±¬ÁĎ Class of 1905 and chief engineer of the Hoover Dam, this annual tradition recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession through research, industry, and education.

Crowe, known for his pioneering work on major water infrastructure projects in the American West, serves as an enduring symbol of 91±¬ÁĎ’s legacy in engineering excellence. His career was shaped by an early lecture he attended while at 91±¬ÁĎ and later led him to innovate dam construction techniques that are still influential today.

The ceremony was hosted by Giovanna Guidoboni, Dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. The Pledge and Preamble was delivered by Mohamad T. Musavi, Associate Dean, and the Fundamentals of Engineering Cord Presentation was given by Brent M. Bridges, PE, Chair of the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers.

2025 Distinguished Engineer Inductees

Kevin Libby – Electrical Engineering
A native of Farmington, Maine, Kevin Libby earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from 91±¬ÁĎ in 1986 and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from UMass Lowell in 1992. Currently a Distinguished Engineer at NVIDIA Corp., Kevin has led innovations in Static Timing Analysis and design methodology for over two decades. He also serves on 91±¬ÁĎ’s Electrical and Computer Engineering visiting committee and is preparing for retirement while pursuing his interest in vintage pinball machines.

Larry Foster – Mechanical Engineering
Larry Foster brings 38 years of aerospace engineering experience, focusing on composites and structural innovation. His work spans elite organizations like Pratt & Whitney and Wisk Aero. He has 13 patents and has significantly influenced both academic and industrial practices. Larry serves on 91±¬ÁĎ’s Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board and is passionate about mentoring and next-generation flight systems.

Carrie Enos – Chemical Engineering (B.S. 1999)
As President of the 91±¬ÁĎ Pulp and Paper Foundation since 2014, Carrie Enos has expanded employer partnerships and scholarship opportunities. A former business unit manager at Verso Paper, Carrie is a recognized leader and mentor in the pulp and paper industry. She serves on the Board of Directors for TAPPI and continues to champion student success.

Julia O’Neill – Chemical Engineering (B.S. 1981)
With over 30 years of experience in pharmaceuticals and chemicals, Julia O’Neill has made her mark as a statistician and chemical engineer. She played a vital role in Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine development and was named a Fellow of the American Society for Quality. Julia’s interdisciplinary expertise has helped bring life-changing medicines to market.

Matthew Tonello – Civil & Environmental Engineering (B.S. 1994)
Matthew Tonello leads Consigli Construction’s Northern New England operations and has overseen major 91±¬ÁĎ infrastructure projects including the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center. With dual graduate degrees in structural engineering and real estate development, he continues to shape Maine’s built environment and serves on multiple advisory and nonprofit boards.

Outstanding Graduating Students

Zachary Hopp – Mechanical Engineering
From Maple Grove, Minnesota, Zach is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College. A member of the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, he has completed multiple internships and contributed to research on sustainable packaging. His work exemplifies the application of engineering in real-world challenges. Zachary was also the inaugural Prashanth Chandrasekar Excellence Award recipient, recognized as the first Chandrasekar Scholar.

Siddhartha Bajracharya – Electrical Engineering
Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Siddhartha is recognized as the Outstanding Graduating International Student. His passion for embedded systems was cultivated through national ballooning research collaborations. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering at 91±¬ÁĎ.

The Francis Crowe Induction Ceremony remains a hallmark event celebrating the enduring impact of 91±¬ÁĎ engineers. With honorees whose work spans global innovation, community development, and academic mentorship, this year’s celebration reaffirms the 91±¬ÁĎ’s commitment to excellence in engineering education. As new graduates and seasoned professionals stood together to recite the engineering pledge, the spirit of integrity, service, and innovation that defined Francis Crowe continues to inspire future generations. In addition to the distinguished alumni, over 250 undergraduate graduating seniors were also inducted into the Francis Crowe Society, highlighting the depth and promise of 91±¬ÁĎ’s engineering legacy.

Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Award
Anthony “Tony” Paine, Co-Founder and CEO of HighByte Inc., as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Award. Renowned for his visionary leadership in industrial software, Paine has played a pivotal role in transforming modern manufacturing through innovative data integration solutions that power Industry 4.0.

With a career defined by technical excellence and a deep commitment to solving real-world challenges, Paine has positioned HighByte as a leader in the industrial intelligence space. His customer-first mindset, combined with a forward-thinking approach to software design, continues to influence the evolution of smart manufacturing globally.

Established in 1979, the Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Award is the highest honor granted by the MCEC. It recognizes individuals outside the University whose achievements in engineering, research, and public service bring distinction to the profession. Paine’s exceptional contributions embody the spirit of the award, making him a fitting and celebrated recipient.

Ashley S. Campbell Award
The 2025 Ashley S. Campbell Award was awarded to Jean MacRae, a respected environmental microbiologist and long-standing faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. With a career marked by outstanding teaching, impactful research, and meaningful service, Dr. MacRae has profoundly shaped the education and experience of engineering students at 91±¬ÁĎ.

The Maine College of Engineering & Computing honored outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, and students at the 45th Annual Edward T. Bryand Awards Ceremony, held April 14, 2025, at Buchanan Alumni House. The event gathered faculty, staff, industry professionals, friends, and family to celebrate the individuals whose work and dedication advance the College’s mission.

A national leader in biological remediation, Dr. MacRae has advanced the field through her innovative research and dedication to sustainability. Equally transformative has been her leadership of 91±¬ÁĎ’s Engineers Without Borders chapter, where she has guided students in applying their engineering skills to improve infrastructure and quality of life in communities around the world.

Established in 1979, the Ashley S. Campbell Award is the College’s highest faculty honor, recognizing individuals whose teaching excellence, scholarly achievements, and service have brought distinction to engineering education. Dr. MacRae exemplifies the purpose of this award through her unwavering commitment to student success and her contributions to global engineering challenges.

Leila C. Lowell Award for Exemplary Staff Support

Kyle Guerrette, Building Manager of the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center was recognized as the 2025 recipient of the Leila C. Lowell Award. Guerrette’s unwavering commitment to student success, safety, and hands-on learning has made him an essential figure in the day-to-day excellence of the College.

Established in 1983, the Leila C. Lowell Award honors staff members whose work has brought distinction to the field of engineering through outstanding support, service, and achievement. Kyle Guerrette exemplifies the spirit of this award and continues to be a cornerstone of the College’s thriving academic community.

Early Career Research Award

Evan K. Wujcik, Assistant Professor in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and researcher at the Advanced Structures & Composites Center, received the Early Career Research Award. Dr. Wujcik’s work on nanosensors, green composites, and wearable technologies reflects a deep commitment to sustainable innovation across environmental and health applications.

Early Career Teaching Award

Reed Miller, Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, received the Early Career Teaching Award for his student-centered teaching in life cycle assessment and engineering decision-making, and his impactful research applying Industrial Ecology to sustainability challenges.

Danilo Botero Lopez received the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for his instructional excellence in Civil and Environmental Engineering, where he also contributes cutting-edge research in geotechnical and earthquake engineering.

Jeremy Juybari, Ph.D. candidate in Computer Engineering, earned the Graduate Research Assistant Award for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of machine learning and medical imaging in the CompuMAINE Lab.

About the Bryand Awards

Established in 1979 by then-Dean Jim Clapp, the Edward T. Bryand Awards Ceremony recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence in teaching, research, engineering, and service. The first ceremony was held in 1980, with the Ashley S. Campbell and Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering Awards as its founding honors. Over time, additional awards—including the Leila C. Lowell Award for staff and graduate student awards—were added, continuing a proud tradition of celebrating the remarkable people who shape 91±¬ÁĎ Engineering.

Contact: Christopher Karlen, christopher.karlen@maine.edu

Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), was officially inaugurated as a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), Class VI. Guidoboni, elected to the academy in 2022, marked her formal recognition at the inauguration ceremony held in Salzburg, Austria on March 8. 

“As a member of the mathematics community, I deeply appreciate the significance of this achievement and the dedication it represents. This is a tremendous milestone for our university and a testament to the strength of our research community. Congratulations to Dean Guidoboni on this remarkable accomplishment — it reflects the ingenuity, innovation and collaboration that define the 91±¬ÁĎ,” said 91±¬ÁĎ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy.

Guidoboni’s election was based on her body of work and contributions to the fields of engineering and computing. Her multidisciplinary research combines principles of mathematics, physics, engineering and physiology to improve precision health care, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of complex conditions, such as glaucoma. 

“Mathematics allows us to translate physics and physiology into computable equations that make it possible to understand why individuals with low blood pressure and high intraocular pressure are nearly four times more likely to develop glaucoma. This knowledge, particularly the clarification of the role of ocular veins, has transformed how the disease is understood and managed,” said Guidoboni. “It has opened new pathways for more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment.”

She has collaborated with researchers across the U.S. and globe to advance care for cardiovascular disease, dysfunction of the lower urinary tract and other health challenges affecting aging populations.

In addition to her research, Guidoboni co-founded “Modeling and Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology,” a new international peer-reviewed journal by Kugler Publications,  and co-edited “Ocular Fluid Dynamics,” the first comprehensive book on ocular fluid dynamics. She serves on the editorial boards of “Scientific Reports,” bySpringer Nature and “Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering” from AIMSPress Her innovative, interdisciplinary work continues to shape the future of healthcare and medical research worldwide. 

Dean Guidoboni brings her enthusiastic, collaborative spirit to the MCEC, where she strives to help every student find their passion. Along with colleagues at 91±¬ÁĎ and the University of Southern Maine, Guidoboni has introduced a new research learning experience titled “CharisMATHic,” where first year students in the college have the opportunity to experience the charisma of math through its limitless and countless applications in engineering, computing and physiology. She leads the Laboratory for Computational and Mathematical modeling in Medicine Engineering and Technology (CoMET Lab), an interdisciplinary research group that promotes mathematical and computational methods as virtual laboratories to address problems in medicine, engineering and technology. The group includes four doctoral students, one undergraduate student and a high school student and is currently funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

“Dean Guidoboni’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and her unwavering commitment to advancing science and education capture and inspire all who find themselves in her orbit. Her work is a shining monument to her brilliance as a scientist, but what truly distinguishes her is her ability to stay authentic and true to herself while constantly shattering boundaries.” said Rajat Rai, a doctoral researcher in the Dean’s research group at the CoMET Lab. “Working with her has undeniably sparked my growth as a researcher, but her mentorship transcends textbooks and labs, as it has guided me to a deeper understanding of not just the world around me, but also of myself.”

EASA brings together leaders in medicine, technical and environmental sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, law, economics, arts and humanities. With approximately 2,000 members, including 35 Nobel Prize winners and several heads of state, the academy is based in the historic St. Peter’s Abbey in Salzburg. It recognizes outstanding contributions across disciplines that foster collaboration and innovation. 

Guidoboni’s induction reflects her global impact and leadership at 91±¬ÁĎ, where she has advanced research, education and collaborative opportunities within the MCEC. She shared this special moment with her family, including her parents and aunt, who attended the event in celebration of her achievement. A notable highlight of the ceremony was her meeting with EASA President Klaus Mainzer.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu