Existing computer models used to guide decisions about energy infrastructure and contamination often treat microbes as fixed and unchanging, even though they constantly adapt to their surroundings. For decades, incorporating molecular biology information into those models has remained one of the field鈥檚 biggest unsolved challenges.

Now, a research team led by 91爆料 professors Jiaze Wang and Amanda Albright Olsen is aiming to close that gap after receiving funding through the .

Using artificial intelligence, the 91爆料 researchers are working to incorporate molecular biology information into the physical models scientists rely on to predict what鈥檚 happening underground. The challenge is one of scale. Microbial genomic data is extraordinarily detailed but has historically been too complex to integrate into large-scale underground models.

The project will analyze microbial genetic information using AI to identify the biological processes that most strongly influence underground chemical reactions. Those insights will then be integrated into existing subsurface models, allowing scientists to better simulate how microbes, minerals and groundwater interact in changing environments.

By bringing molecular biology into subsurface models, the researchers hope to improve predictions that support groundwater management, environmental remediation, responsible critical mineral development and energy infrastructure planning. Improved models could help scientists and decision-makers protect groundwater, clean up contaminated sites and plan energy projects with greater confidence.

The Genesis Mission award

The Genesis Mission is a historic new national initiative led by the U.S. Department of Energy, which is building the world鈥檚 most powerful integrated science discovery platform. By uniting government, industry, academia and philanthropy, it is accelerating breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery and national security through a new platform that combines AI, supercomputing, quantum systems and advanced scientific instruments.

91爆料 was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Genesis Mission-funded research teams, making it one of the first universities participating in the innovative initiative. The awards were announced Wednesday at a U.S. DOE event in Washington, D.C.

91爆料 is leading the project in partnership with the University of Delaware and Argonne National Laboratory. The collaboration brings together expertise in bioinformatics, computational biology, AI, subsurface modeling and geochemistry.

The 91爆料-led project was one of 278 selected by the DOE from more than 5,000 proposals. It was also the only project selected from Maine.

What it means for 91爆料

The project builds on 91爆料鈥檚 nationally recognized strengths in environmental research and computational modeling while expanding collaborations across disciplines and institutions.

The grant funds a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher at 91爆料, both of whom will train directly on the project. That hands-on experience reflects 91爆料鈥檚 mission as the state鈥檚 R1, learner-centered university, giving students opportunities to contribute to nationally significant research while working alongside leading scientists and preparing to lead and innovate in the state鈥檚 workforce.

鈥淲e are proud to be part of the inaugural Genesis Mission and to see our researchers contributing to this new era of scientific discovery,鈥� President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淭his project exemplifies what makes 91爆料 such a special place to learn and innovate. Our students have the opportunity to work alongside nationally recognized experts on projects that address some of the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges while developing solutions that can make a difference here in Maine and well beyond.鈥�

Giovanna Guidoboni, interim vice president for research, said the award reinforces 91爆料鈥檚 leadership in interdisciplinary research.

鈥淎t 91爆料, leading research that addresses complex, real-world challenges is at the heart of our mission,鈥� said Guidoboni, also the dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. 鈥淭his project demonstrates the impact of bringing together expertise across disciplines while creating meaningful, research-based learning opportunities for our students. What we learn matters, but how we apply that knowledge to improve lives and communities is what defines us.鈥�

AI and environmental science converge

Wang, the principal investigator, said the project brings together disciplines that have historically worked in isolation.

鈥淭his project is trying to bring together concepts from very different disciplines and unite them,鈥� Wang said. 鈥淲e know the subsurface is a combination of geology and biology, and our goal is to bring that expertise together.鈥�

The challenge, she said, extends to the microbes themselves.

鈥淭he microbes are like magicians,鈥� Wang said. 鈥淭hey can transform the subsurface in ways we don鈥檛 fully understand yet, and we know so little about them.鈥�

For Olsen, the co-principal investigator, the use of AI and the Genesis Mission award represents a turning point.

鈥淭his is a problem I didn鈥檛 think we would solve,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving this project, where I can actually see a path to solving something people have worked on for my entire career, that feels like a paradigm shift in how we do this kind of work.鈥�

Starting with the coast

In this first phase, the team is focusing on coastal systems, including salt marshes like the ones that define much of Maine鈥檚 shoreline. The team will test its work using real-world data from coastal wetlands from Lake Erie to the Chesapeake Bay.

Coastal environments change quickly, making it easier to observe how microbes, minerals and groundwater interact than in slower-changing systems. They also face challenges such as saltwater intrusion, groundwater contamination and declining water quality, making them an ideal testing ground for the team鈥檚 approach.

Salt marshes are systems people in Maine already understand and value, Olsen said, making them a natural starting point for tools that could eventually benefit land-locked communities.

Applications far beyond the coast

Although the work begins on coastlines, the researchers say the tools they鈥檙e developing could be applied to subsurface systems around the world. The same modeling approach could help determine where it鈥檚 safe and healthy to build energy infrastructure, whether contamination found at a site will break down or spread and how critical minerals can be mined more responsibly. 

The work could also inform decisions about using the subsurface in other rapidly changing environments, including polar regions.

By the end of the project, the team plans to deliver:

• A library of microbial genetic information for subsurface physical models
• An upgraded version of a widely used subsurface simulation model
• A faster AI model emulator capable of running large-scale subsurface predictions

鈥淎ny system where you鈥檙e trying to understand whether a soil is healthy, or whether water is contaminated, requires understanding how these reactions couple together,鈥� Olsen said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 true almost anywhere on Earth鈥檚 surface.鈥�

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

The NSF Seafood Engine in New England is led by the Portsmouth-based nonprofit Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems and will bring together leaders from the seafood industry, technology sector, government and research institutions across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island to build a more competitive, resilient and technologically advanced seafood economy.

As a partner in the NSF Seafood Engine, 91爆料 鈥� the state鈥檚 Sea Grant and only institution to have achieved prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification for research productivity and performance 鈥� will contribute its world-class expertise in marine science, fisheries, aquaculture, engineering, workforce development and technology commercialization. 

Working alongside regional partners, the state鈥檚 flagship will help develop innovative solutions that strengthen the seafood supply chain, support coastal communities and prepare the next generation of seafood and blue economy professionals in Maine and beyond.

91爆料 oceanography professor Damian Brady and his team at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole will help develop, deploy and test more than a dozen new, low-cost water quality sensors to support scallop, oyster and kelp aquaculture farms across Maine鈥檚 coast. These sensors will provide temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll and acidity data in real time. 

Aquaculture farms will use that information to select sites, grow and preserve products and identify warning signs of shellfish diseases and other threats. The work builds on previous efforts from Brady鈥檚 team creating a satellite data-based model that is helping oyster farmers select ideal sites for their operations. 

鈥淭he ultimate challenge is Maine has 3,478 miles of tidal shoreline, and it鈥檚 almost impossible to do water quality testing along such an extensive coastline,鈥� Brady said. 鈥淲e need ways of partnering with people who are already in the water, and working together with that part of the industry to understand our water quality challenges.鈥� 

Through the NSF Seafood Engine, Brady鈥檚 team is partnering with in Portland, Maine, to develop and deploy the sensors. His team will also work with aquaculture farmers on data collection, empowering them to become citizen scientists. Students will be involved in deploying and testing the sensors, reflecting 91爆料鈥檚 R1 learner-centered mission.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be deploying these near-shore systems for aquaculturists, but anyone who is utilizing marine resources, including fishermen, is going to benefit.鈥� Brady said. 

The NSF Seafood Engine will initially receive $15 million in total over two years, with the potential to grow to as much as $160 million in federal funding over 10 years as it builds an internationally competitive technology and innovation cluster. This initial NSF investment creates an opportunity to leverage additional public, private and philanthropic support to expand the partnership and accelerate its impact.

The NSF Seafood Engine aims to enhance the competitiveness of fisheries and aquaculture, a sector that represents approximately 25% of the nation鈥檚 seafood value. In Maine, commercial fisheries generated $619.1 million in 2025, marking the 14th consecutive year that commercial fishery earnings exceeded $500 million.

Technologies developed through the NSF Seafood Engine have the potential to be deployed nationwide, helping strengthen America’s seafood industry and improving its position in the global marketplace.

鈥淏uilt on the ingenuity and steadfast determination at the heart of America’s oldest commercial enterprise, the Seafood Engine is ready to confront key challenges facing the industry with bold innovation,鈥� said Jake Kritzer, principal investigator of the Seafood Engine and executive director of Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems. 

At the outset, the NSF Seafood Engine will:

• Support research and development projects that bring together seafood harvesters, academic experts and technology companies to build ocean intelligence through advanced sensors deployed from fishing vessels and aquaculture farms.
• Form a consortium of regional seafood apprenticeship programs that will allow new entrants to participate in research projects and help bring innovations into practice.
• Provide funding to blue technology companies that have completed the research phase and are ready to commercialize new products.

Over time, expanded research, workforce development and technology commercialization activities will help reshore American processing of Maine seafood products such as lobster, oysters, mussels, salmon, scallops and other commercially important fisheries, strengthening the seafood supply chain.

Together, these efforts are expected to create new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses throughout New England while helping reduce the nation’s $20 billion seafood trade deficit.

In early summer 2024, the NSF Seafood Engine in New England submitted one of in response to the second NSF Engines funding opportunity. The preliminary proposal was selected as one of . Following a merit review, the NSF Seafood Engine in New England was one of 29 teams to share a detailed presentation about their proposed NSF Engine.

From this process, in two-day site visits with NSF staff and external experts. The NSF Seafood Engine in New England is one of 12 NSF Engines award winners selected from among these finalists.

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

The 91爆料 is among the partners supporting the event, which will feature panel discussions, networking opportunities, startup showcases, demonstrations and field trips highlighting innovation and collaboration across Maine鈥檚 marine and coastal sectors.

These microorganisms, particularly the plant-like phytoplankton, have been producing about 50% of the world鈥檚 oxygen, and feed numerous species 鈥� oysters, crustaceans, seabirds and whales 鈥� that support marine ecosystems and economies worldwide. Greater plankton biodiversity is often associated with healthier and more resilient marine ecosystems.   

That鈥檚 why Boss, professor of oceanography, spent 50 days from January to March  investigating biodiversity in the Ross Sea bordering Antarctica. Aboard the Perseverance, a 131-foot-long aluminum schooner serving as a floating research platform, Boss sailed 7,200 miles between Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand. He and his colleagues deployed buoys with sensors to collect ocean and atmospheric data and harvest water samples as the boat wove past floating sea ice through high winds. 

鈥淲ith this data, my colleagues and I plan to develop a biodiversity algorithm that will link satellite observables with ocean biodiversity parameters assessed with genomic techniques,鈥� Boss said. 鈥淪uch data is critical to design and evaluate ecosystem models with, as well as assess the state of the ocean health.鈥� 

The total fuel consumption of the Perseverance during the 50 days voyage was about 20 tons, similar to that of a standard research vessel of the academic fleet in a single day. That鈥檚 because the ship utilized sails along most of its journey in the Southern Ocean.

Boss collaborated with scientists from NASA, the European Space Agency and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique on his project and others throughout the voyage. Citizen scientists were also recruited to assist with the research. 

Phytoplankton contain chlorophyll, which influences the color of ocean surface water. Different phytoplankton communities affect ocean color in different ways. Satellites can measure light reflecting off the ocean鈥檚 surface, allowing researchers to study ocean color remotely. Boss and his colleagues tested whether that information could be used to identify the types of species residing in various areas of the Ross Sea and Southern Ocean. 

Some of the sensors used during the expedition measured light emanating from the ocean as influenced by phytoplankton communities as well as the optical properties of the water via instruments through which ocean water flows. The data from those instruments, as well as water samples that underwent genetic analysis in the onboard labs, were provided to NASA for comparison with satellite imagery collected during the expedition and for use to develop new space-based algorithms. 

鈥淪atellite observations are the only that can span the full planet in a matter of a few days,鈥� Boss said. 鈥淎ny link we can make between them and the state of the ecosystem, the better we can understand the living ocean on relevant time and space scales.鈥�

Read more about the expedition on . 

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

U.S. consumers are willing to pay more for lobster harvested using ropeless fishing technology designed to reduce whale entanglement risks, according to new 91爆料 research.

A study led by Qiujie 鈥淎ngie鈥� Zheng, associate professor of business analytics in the 91爆料鈥檚 Maine Business School, found that consumers are willing to pay an average of $3.42 more for a lobster roll made with lobster harvested using ropeless fishing technology when presented with information on animal welfare.

The research explored how consumers might respond if conditions necessitate ropeless technology to be adopted more broadly in the future. Zheng said the findings are not intended to suggest Maine鈥檚 lobster industry should change its current practices.

Maine鈥檚 lobster industry has implemented whale-protection measures for decades, including weak links, sinking lines and reduced vertical line requirements aimed at lowering entanglement risks. The fishery supplies roughly 90% of the nation鈥檚 lobster and remains one of Maine鈥檚 most recognizable economic and cultural drivers.

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world鈥檚 most endangered large whale species, with an estimated population of 356 whales and fewer than 100 reproductive-age females.

Traditional lobster gear uses vertical lines connecting traps to surface buoys, which regulators and researchers have sought to modify in order to reduce entanglement risks for large whales. Federal regulators and environmental groups have debated the extent to which Maine lobster gear contributes to right whale deaths, though the industry has faced increasing pressure to reduce potential risks.

While existing protections are already in place within Maine鈥檚 fishery, Zheng said consumers may also play a role in bearing the cost of whale conservation through their purchasing decisions.

鈥淩ight whale conservation is a collective effort. In addition to the fishermen, regulators and scientists, consumers play a role, so we hope this research helps understand consumer preferences and evaluations,鈥� Zheng said. 鈥淭hese findings do not suggest that Maine鈥檚 lobster industry needs to change its current practices. Rather, they provide insight into how consumers might respond if ropeless technology were adopted.鈥�

Zheng collaborated with Kanae Tokunaga from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Rodolfo Nayga and Wei Yang from Texas A&M University to explore consumer preferences and demand perspective of ropeless technology, as well as marketing and communication strategies surrounding the gear.

Researchers tested how information about whale conservation, animal welfare and Maine鈥檚 lobster industry shaped consumer willingness to pay more for lobster harvested using ropeless technology. Messaging focused on whale welfare and entanglement impacts proved most effective at increasing support for ropeless technology, with consumers willing to pay more.

However, this was further varied by consumers’ attitudes toward the environment and animal welfare, as well as their prior knowledge of right whale entanglement and ropeless technology, Zheng said.

“The results provide a baseline for considering different perspectives. With four treatments, including the control, we can see how different types of information influence consumer perspectives,鈥� she said.

Zheng said she hopes the research will contribute valuable insights to Maine鈥檚 seafood sector about how consumers respond to different marketing approaches and sustainability messaging as environmental concerns increasingly influence food purchasing behaviors.

鈥淲e are providing a base for the community to assess the overall economic feasibility,” Zheng said. 鈥淚鈥檓 always trying to learn from fishermen and the fishing community because they make their living from a very complicated natural system, and they know it so well.鈥�

Findings from the study were published in the journal .听

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

The academy announced Tuesday the election of 120 members and 25 international members, bringing its total membership to 2,705 active members and 557 international members.

Steneck spent more than four decades at 91爆料, where he helped shape marine research and policy through studies of kelp forests, lobster fisheries and coral reefs. He retired in 2023 as a professor of oceanography, marine biology and marine policy.

鈥淒r. Steneck鈥檚 election to the National Academy of Sciences is a well-deserved honor,” 91爆料 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗is research has advanced our understanding of coastal ecosystems and helped shape marine science and policy, while his mentorship has inspired generations of students to pursue meaningful work in the field. We are proud and grateful that his distinguished career has been here at the 91爆料.鈥�

A marine ecologist, Steneck has focused on the structure and function of coastal ecosystems, particularly in the Gulf of Maine and the Caribbean. His research examines food webs, dominant species and ecological processes in benthic marine environments, often through in situ observation using scuba diving, underwater video systems and remotely operated vehicles.

For more than 40 years, his work in Maine has explored kelp forest ecosystems and the relationships among lobsters, sea urchins and fish stocks. His research also spans the Caribbean and tropical Pacific, where long-term studies of coral reefs have informed strategies to improve reef resilience.

Steneck joined 91爆料 in 1982 and was among the first marine ecologists to collaborate directly with lobstermen, integrating scientific research with industry knowledge. His work contributed to new approaches to studying and managing Maine鈥檚 lobster fishery and broader coastal ecosystems.

In addition to his research, Steneck emphasized hands-on learning, involving students in all aspects of scientific work, from proposal writing to data collection and publication.

鈥淚 have always been passionate about getting students into the field for experiential learning,鈥� he said.

In 1993, Steneck developed a proposal for Semester by the Sea at 91爆料鈥檚 Darling Marine Center, an undergraduate program that continues today. He later expanded those opportunities globally, teaching a graduate coral reef course that, beginning in 2003, brought students to Bonaire in the Caribbean for two decades to monitor reef health.

鈥淭he student projects became a valued part of the island鈥檚 coral reef monitoring program,鈥� he said.

Many of Steneck鈥檚 former students have gone on to leadership roles in marine science, conservation and policy. That list includes Carl Wilson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, who started as an intern on Steneck’s lobster project and went on to earn his degree from 91爆料’s School of Marine Sciences.

鈥淚鈥檝e had a bevy of terrific students, and their careers are what I鈥檓 most proud of,鈥� Steneck said. 鈥淪eeing them go on to make meaningful contributions in science, conservation and policy is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.鈥�

Founded in 1863, the National Academy of Sciences recognizes achievement in science and provides independent advice to the U.S. government.

Steneck鈥檚 election follows other recent honors, including his 2025 induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, further recognizing his impact on marine science and conservation.

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

The cohort is implementing ReuseME, a pilot program in partnership with the coastal towns of Bar Harbor, Bath and South Portland. Participating eateries include Cafe This Way and Coffee Matter/Mother鈥檚 Kitchen in Bar Harbor, Solo Pane in Bath, and Second Rodeo Coffee and Verbena in South Portland.

By testing the viability of reusable takeout packaging in participating restaurants, students are at the forefront of developing a model that reduces waste, prevents plastic pollution and saves local businesses and municipalities money on the purchase and disposal of single-use food and beverage packaging.

Throughout this project, 91爆料 student researchers are working directly with these businesses to track results and analyze usage patterns to refine the returnable model.

鈥淭he driver for this project has been a focus on wanting to maintain and protect Maine鈥檚 coastal environment because it鈥檚 a very important part of the state鈥檚 culture,鈥� said Ryan Kennedy, a 91爆料 senior in the Department of Anthropology.

Kennedy, an undergraduate research assistant on the project, has been involved since the initial baseline surveys last June. They noted that the team met with restaurant owners to discuss their establishments鈥� capabilities and customer habits.

鈥淚 want to help bring cost savings to the frontline because that drives most business decisions,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淥n the commercial side, choosing between the wallet and the planet can be difficult. With the cost of everything going up, people want to know if a change will save them money. By providing hard data to businesses and a simple message to its customers, we can show that sustainable swaps don鈥檛 have to be a complicated transition.鈥�

These five local eateries now offer diners the option of having their food and/or beverage packaged in returnable stainless steel containers. Customers can check out these containers by signing up for a free account in the Recirclable app. After enjoying their takeout meals, customers can return the containers to any of the participating establishments.

鈥淚 think we鈥檙e starting to see people realize how easy it is to make more sustainable swaps,鈥� Kennedy said. 

In just a little over a month since the Reuse Maine pilot project launched, more than 100 customers across the state have borrowed nearly 500 reusable containers. 

Other student researchers involved in the project include Chyanne Yoder, Catherine Segada, Gianna DeJoy, William Brenneman and Alejandro Snell. They are joined by project advisor Cindy Isenhour, a professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Climate Change Institute.

As part of an extensive, interdisciplinary effort to mitigate marine pollution, the project is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Maine Sea Grant and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The support allows the team to tackle environmental challenges while providing student researchers with the resources needed to develop scalable, real-world solutions.

鈥淚 think the hard data and transparency between the businesses, their customers and our team is what鈥檚 really driving the success and the happiness with this project,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淚t helps people feel like they鈥檙e making a difference without having to go out of their way. It鈥檚 just a part of their routine when they pick up a coffee or grab lunch.鈥�

Story by Alexa Rose Perocillo, news intern

Contact: Marcus Wolf, marcus.wolf@maine.edu; Cindy Isenhour, cynthia.isenhour@maine.edu

These small, vibrant fish, often associated with rocky habitats, are native to the Gulf of Maine. They are known to eat young lobster in the benthic stage, as well as small clams and snails.

Increasingly, the Maine Department of Marine Resources and commercial lobstermen are finding cunner caught in their traps. Staudinger said the lobstermen have shared photos of cunner with lobster eggs in their mouths and are concerned it鈥檚 impacting the fishery. 

The to study keystone species in the U.S., in honor of the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary. Selected projects, including Staudinger鈥檚 lobster research, are receiving funding, equipment and other support to advance innovative solutions to contemporary conservation challenges.

Lobster and cunner have coexisted for a long time, but this would be a new behavior and new dynamic within the rocky substrate where they reside.

Cunners are unique in that they have tiny teeth throughout their jawline, which helps them capture food from rocky surfaces. They use their teeth to crush shells and other food, making it hard to recover evidence. Because of this, Staudinger said her research team will be studying the contents of cunners鈥� stomachs using environmental DNA. 

While shifts in community composition, distribution and timing of occurrence are all well known ecological responses to environmental change, Staudinger said researchers have a poor understanding of how these responses affect predator-prey and competitive interactions among species.

鈥淲e don’t know if this behavior has been happening and gone unnoticed or if there is an environmental factor causing it to happen now,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e would like to gather evidence to determine how widespread it is happening, and the best way to do that is to work with the fishermen who are on the water every day and see them in their traps.鈥�

If fishermen or other stakeholders find cunner with lobster eggs in their mouths, the Staudinger Lab is asking they use the provided QR code to share photos and information or send photos to 508-348-9039 or cunner.maine@gmail.com with the date the fish was captured and its location. More information is available on the lab鈥檚 website.

91爆料 News recently spoke with Staudinger about what to expect from this upcoming research.

Do you suspect water temperature, population shifts and predator dynamics could be contributing to what鈥檚 happening between lobster and cunner?

These are all testable hypotheses that we’re going to be working through in this project. It’s possible there’s been a shift in timing. It could be a spatial distribution or a temporal shift that is bringing these two species together during certain life phases that they didn’t meet in previously. 

I found old historical papers that show cunner ate a lot of mollusks and other benthic invertebrates. One paper I found suggested that cunner really like to eat mussels, which have been less abundant in recent years. There is the possibility that they are exploring new food sources because others have decreased. They also might just be opportunistic, and that behavior could be leading them to take advantage of something they didn’t before.

Between equipment and personnel, what鈥檚 it going to take to find the answers?

We’re working with the Maine Department of Marine Resources to collect bycatch cunner in their ventless trap survey. When we bring those fish back to the lab, we鈥檙e doing a visual inspection of their guts and mouths, where we find and record all diet items that can be identified, such as broken shells of snails and sometimes small clams.

One fun fact about this fish is that they use their teeth to pluck organisms off vertical, complex surfaces. They also have teeth in the back of their mouths that allow them to crush things. The diet of this fish is very difficult to assess, because it can mash or chew its food with its teeth. Most other fish swallow their prey whole. So we’re using environmental DNA to detect lobster in the cunner鈥檚 stomach contents and get a full biodiversity panel of what they’ve been eating.

How might the results of this upcoming study translate to help groups like fishermen make informed management decisions?

We’re not seeing a blanket amount of evidence, so there may be hot spots where this interaction is more likely to occur. One potential result would be to show hot spots where populations of egg-bearing female lobster and cunner are overlapping. That would provide spatial information to fishermen to make informed choices about when and where they fish. There is also the possibility of developing trap modifications to exclude or deter cunner.

We might find out that this is not a widespread occurrence, which could help alleviate concerns. Regardless, understanding a species that we don’t yet have a lot of information about is always going to be advantageous.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

At the 91爆料, students graduate with the skills and experience to step directly into Maine鈥檚 growing workforce. 

Now, they are getting a clearer picture of how to get started.

鈥淵ou already have the emotional intelligence and understanding, but you grow it by practicing new habits when you enter the work place,鈥� said Ray Steen, vice president of human resources at Bath Iron Works. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about how you connect with others.鈥�

Connecting students with industry leaders is among the many things the 91爆料 does very well.

That was evident during a panel discussion, 鈥淎dvice for Building a Career in the Blue Economy,鈥� where industry leaders shared guidance with students preparing to enter one of Maine鈥檚 most vital and evolving sectors.

In a state where much of the fishing industry operates as a network of small businesses, that future may depend on students who are ready not just to enter the workforce, but to shape it.

The panel underscored the range of opportunities available. Bath Iron Works alone includes roughly 350 job titles, from welding and electrical work to engineering and operations roles, reflecting the breadth of careers that make up the blue economy.

Connection was a major theme throughout the discussion.

Speakers encouraged students to start small, working alongside local fishers and coastal businesses, and to take advantage of expanding internship opportunities across the state.

That approach shaped the career of Monique Coombs, director of community programs for the Maine Coast Fishermen鈥檚 Association, who entered the industry during the 2008 recession with the goal of supporting her hometown of Harpswell and preserving fishing for future generations.

鈥淭ry different things and have the ability to quit and fail,鈥� Coombs said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how you know what you like and don鈥檛 like and what鈥檚 important to you.鈥�

Coombs began with contract work before joining the association full time in 2016. Today, the organization works to inventory and preserve Maine鈥檚 working waterfront while also supporting fishermen through programs that address both physical and mental well-being. It also offers two internships each summer, giving students hands-on experience in the field.

鈥淚nterns assist in our pre-established projects for the summer, but we always leave space for them to come up with a few of their own,鈥� said Coombs.

For some, the blue economy offers an opportunity not just to join an existing industry, but to rethink how it operates.

Liam Fisher, founder of the Maine Garum Company, described how he built a business at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and food. Using organic waste from the fishing industry, Fisher produces garum, a fermented sauce, creating value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

鈥淭here鈥檚 an entire ecosystem to help small start-ups in this state,鈥� Fisher said. 鈥淭alk to other Mainers. You鈥檇 be surprised how excited people get about seeing their state鈥檚 name on a sauce bottle.鈥�

His work reflects a broader shift in Maine鈥檚 coastal economy, where traditional industries are increasingly intersecting with entrepreneurship and innovation.

鈥淲e need to change commodities to culture and cuisine,鈥� said Fisher. 鈥淚 see that as an opportunity within the next five years with new faces entering the workforce. We can create an identity around the region.鈥�

Story by Mello Vancil, news intern.

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

A member of the Women鈥檚 Swimming and Diving Team who competed in the butterfly and individual medley, Irani founded the 91爆料 chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a national nonprofit dedicated to athlete mental health advocacy. Seeking to make a tangible difference for student-athletes, she sought additional mental health services from the university. 

Driven by a passion to help her peers, she found the confidence she admittedly lacked at the start of her collegiate career to not only earn the support from 91爆料 Athletics that would eventually lead to the university hiring an in-office therapist specifically for student-athletes. 

鈥淚 faked it 鈥榯il I made it,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淭he Hidden Opponent was the first instance where I just showed up with a lot of confidence as I asked administration and 91爆料 Athletics for what I needed, and they just gave it to me.鈥�

Success in improving student athlete mental health is one of several personal, athletic and academic accolades that earned Irani, a biomedical engineering major, the title of co-salutatorian for 91爆料鈥檚 Class of 2026. Her recognition as co-salutatorian reflects not just her academic achievement, but the personal growth she has cultivated throughout her time at 91爆料.

Between early morning swim practice and rigorous engineering coursework, Irani built a college career defined by discipline, determination and a deep network of support. Alongside excelling in engineering and competing as a Division I level swimmer, Irani navigated new challenges and built the confidence to take ownership of her college experience. 

鈥淚 went in thinking that my major would define me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 switched majors four times before I even got to school. I thought this was going to be a make-or-break moment for my career.鈥�

Several research and leadership opportunities that shaped Irani鈥檚 collegiate experience were ones she sought herself. For example, when she contacted chemical engineering professor David Neivandt for lab experience, he invited her to join the Neivandt Lab, where she helped develop sustainable lobster-shell biomaterials. 

The material, stronger than both concrete and wood, dissolves in water within two weeks and fully biodegrades in soil in about a month. The work not only allowed her to develop her skills and enhance her resume, but also participate in a project that has a tangible societal impact.

鈥淢y goal has always been to contribute meaningfully,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淚 think my mindset changed when I started thinking that way 鈥� thinking, how can this be meaningful? How can I show up?鈥�

Irani relied on a structured routine to balance her commitments. Early morning, disciplined schedules, and careful time management enabled her to excel in athletics, coursework, research and leadership roles without compromising her health or well-being.

Irani credits her growth to the support of mentors, advisors and peers. David J. Neivandt guided her research endeavors, while her athletic and academic advisor Julie Cheville helped her to navigate the complex demands of Division I athletics and engineering coursework. Her teammates and roommate, Ashley LeClaire, provided daily motivation and camaraderie, and her girlfriend, Sarah, offered emotional support throughout the rigorous college experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e had one roommate for the last three years, Ashley, and she鈥檚 been insanely supportive, helping me find balance during long days and making sure I take time to step away and relax,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淎nd my girlfriend, Sarah, has been a big part of my success here over the last two years 鈥� encouraging me, questioning me when I doubt myself, and helping me feel confident in pursuing research, conferences, and other opportunities.鈥�

Her family also played a formative role. Her aunt, Jean MacRae, a civil & environmental engineering professor here at 91爆料, and her uncle, Farahad Dastoor, a biology lecturer and undergraduate coordinator at 91爆料, encouraged her curiosity from the start. Their guidance helped Irani see the opportunities at 91爆料 and made the university feel like a place she could call home very early on.

Looking forward, Irani plans to continue her research through a 4+1 master鈥檚 program in biomedical engineering at 91爆料, working to develop sustainable and effective medical devices that combine innovation with societal impact. She hopes prospective students and families understand the supportive culture at 91爆料 and the opportunities available for those willing to take initiative and explore beyond their comfort zones.

From Texas to Maine, Irani鈥檚 journey illustrates how discipline, community and proactive engagement can shape a transformative college experience. Her selection as co-salutortian honors not only her academic success, but also the leadership, curiosity and resilience that have defined her four years at 91爆料.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

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

Detecting and diagnosing stress and disease is a major challenge for aquaculture farms, where keeping fish happy helps them thrive. In fish, stress can be hard to detect before it becomes problematic, and testing for the source of stress usually requires physical examination or biopsy, which are invasive and often lethal.

An international team of researchers led by the 91爆料 is trying to change this by developing noninvasive, rapid tests that can detect stress and disease without touching the fish, just the water in which they swim. 

Scientists from 91爆料, Dublin City University (DCU) and Queen鈥檚 University Belfast, plan to develop a new testing method that uses environmental RNA (eRNA) so aquaculture farmers can monitor fish health more quickly, efficiently and humanely.

鈥淭he goal is to get a window into the physiology of the organisms, their health in particular. By looking at what RNA is being shed from their tissues into the environment, eRNA can give us insights into what the fish are doing as biological machines,鈥� said Michael Kinnison, 91爆料 professor of evolutionary applications and director of the Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment.

Key to this research is a difference between environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA. DNA within an organism鈥檚 cells does not change over an organism’s life or cell to cell 鈥� it is the blueprint of life. In contrast, RNA is what turns a general DNA blueprint into the diverse building blocks and processes that give various cell types and tissues their function. Because of this, the RNAs that an animal produces varies depending on where it is in its lifecycle, what is happening in its environment and what processes are underway in its body, such as stress or disease. When animal cells are naturally shed into the environment, their DNA and RNA become eDNA and eRNA, but the eRNA does not last as long. While this means eRNA is harder to detect, it also has the potential to provide a near real-time window into an animal鈥檚 condition. 

A major challenge for researchers is linking particular eRNA signals to specific stressors, but pilot data and recent research by others suggest it is possible. For example, researchers in Japan successfully . 

鈥淭his hasn’t been done for salmon yet, and it鈥檚 just exciting because it means that if we could use these RNAs, we wouldn鈥檛 have to kill fish to biopsy them. We might be able to figure out and treat disease before it gets really bad,鈥� said Erin Grey, 91爆料 assistant professor of aquatic genetics.

In addition to identifying what eRNA signals are tied to salmon stress and disease, the team will use CRISPR-Cas diagnostic technology to develop rapid tests for those eRNA signals. Similar to a COVID test, these tests could allow someone at an aquaculture farm to sample water and quickly identify issues. Early intervention in salmon farming has the potential to improve treatment of fish, allow for more targeted treatment and avoid economic damages that run into the hundreds of millions annually. 

The project is starting with small controlled systems like tanks, and as research progresses, the team hopes to expand to more open systems like net pens. Fish will be sampled in Maine and Scotland at 91爆料鈥檚 Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory and the University of Aberdeen’s Scottish Fish Immunology Centre. The initial focus will be on heat stress and furunculosis, two common challenges experienced by salmon farms. Researchers are working with the salmon aquaculture industry and fish health diagnostics providers to further identify what other pathogens or stressors would be most impactful for further investigation. 

While eRNA technology is in a nascent stage of development, this project brings together the expertise needed to rapidly advance its potential and put it in the hands of food producers. 

鈥淓nvironmental RNA technology is still at an early stage of development, but its potential is significant. At Queen鈥檚, we will apply advanced genomics and bioinformatics approaches to identify the molecular signatures of stress and disease in salmon,鈥� said Paulo Prod枚hl, professor of population and evolutionary genetics from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen鈥檚 University Belfast. 鈥淏y working closely with colleagues at DCU and 91爆料, we aim to ensure that this technology moves from proof-of-concept to practical application for the aquaculture industry.鈥�

This research is made possible by ,听 a tri-jurisdictional collaboration between the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland which was officially launched in 2006. Under this program, the international project team receives听funding from the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) grant titled “TRIPARTITE: Environmental RNA-based assessment of fish health – eRNA-Fish” (USDA Award# 2026-67016-45580). The team also received funding support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland, and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland.

鈥淭his funding is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research,鈥� said DCU School of Biotechnology professor Anne Parle-McDermott. 鈥淏y combining our molecular expertise with the knowledge and expertise at 91爆料 and QUB, we are uniquely positioned to tackle one of aquaculture鈥檚 biggest challenges.鈥�

Contact: Daniel Timmermann, daniel.timmermann@maine.edu

The work aims to understand how changes impact the effectiveness of long-running DMR surveys that inform fishery management. It will also provide a model for evaluating and adapting survey methods to inform effective, science-based assessment and management of culturally and economically important marine resources like lobster, herring and shrimp.

The first of three surveys to be examined was the Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey, which monitors a swath of species in the Gulf of Maine. Researchers analyzed survey data collected between 2000 and 2023.

The analysis, published in the journal and led by Hsiao-Yun Chang 鈥�21G, a postdoctoral research associate at 91爆料, identified that a rise in bottom water and sea surface temperatures occurred between 2010 and 2012. Using that shift as a dividing point, the researchers compared conditions before and after the warming period to examine how seasonal species distribution and biodiversity changed across Maine鈥檚 inshore habitats.

Because the survey has been conducted consistently for more than two decades, it provided a strong foundation for analysis. The results show that many species are shifting deeper and farther northeast and that dominant, fishery-relevant species have become less diverse. At the same time, some species are more abundant during the spring.

Despite those changes, the survey has remained 90% consistent at capturing data on key species and providing robust data for stock assessment and fishery management.

鈥淭his study is a great example of collaboration between 91爆料 and DMR and how our shared expertise and insights can support the ability of researchers, regulators and industry to adapt to a changing climate,鈥� said Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson. 鈥淭his milestone achievement will greatly improve Maine鈥檚 ability to monitor, conserve and increase the resilience of our coastal and marine ecosystems.鈥�

Michelle Staudinger, associate professor of fisheries science at 91爆料, is leading the collaborative effort between 91爆料 and the state agency. She is supporting Chang鈥檚 in-depth reviews of the three surveys while also completing a broader analysis of various DMR programs. 

Staudinger worked with DMR division director Jesica Waller and science program leads to complete a review of eight of the department鈥檚 monitoring and assessment programs. The goal was to better understand how the programs operate and where additional research and monitoring could help the state respond to environmental change.

鈥淲e know that there’s increased variability and changes in the distribution of species in the Gulf of Maine, and fishermen and other industry members have seen these changes over the last few decades,鈥� Staudinger said. 鈥淚f they know that the data that they’re helping collect is informing fishery management decisions, we want them to feel confident that the data is accurately representing the state of the stocks.鈥�

With the analysis of the Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey complete, the researchers will next examine the Sea Urchin Dive Survey and the Ventless Trap Survey for lobster. The team selected these surveys because of their cultural and economic importance to Maine鈥檚 fisheries and will evaluate them using similar approaches.

Understanding change in biodiversity听

The trawl survey primarily tracks groundfish species such as haddock, flounder and cod and invertebrates such as squid that are caught by the net as it drags along the ocean floor. 

Chang said one of the most important findings of her analysis was a subtle, but critical shift in biodiversity. In ecology, biodiversity can be viewed in two ways: abundance, which is the total number of individual organisms, and biomass, the total weight of those organisms.

鈥淚n fisheries research, we prioritize biomass data because it reveals which species are the functional pillars of the ecosystem,鈥� Chang said. 鈥淚f biomass is distributed across several dominant species, the ecological risk is spread out. However, our study shows that the weight is becoming concentrated in fewer species, meaning the diversity of the catch is actually shrinking.鈥�

In the spring, while individual abundance increased among species, biomass diversity decreased. This suggests that even as the headcount for species appears more balanced, the bulk of the community is becoming increasingly dominated by a smaller number of species.

Chang said this biodiversity trend mirrors the reality of Maine鈥檚 coastal economy. Just as the state鈥檚 fishing industry relies heavily on a small number of high-value species like lobster, the underwater ecosystem is becoming more concentrated in fewer species. 

Understanding these changes, she said, is critical for sustaining the marine environment and Maine鈥檚 blue economy.

鈥淭his work will not only support better fisheries management in the Gulf of Maine but will provide a template for researchers and managers around the world to support ocean stewardship,鈥� Waller said. 鈥淐ombined with the expertise of our staff, quantitative analyses like this one will guide our decision making in future survey design and data interpretation. This comprehensive, collaborative approach will allow us to bring data to industry and research partners to make well-informed decisions about the future of fisheries management.鈥�

The initiative to analyze and update these surveys from the Department of Marine Resources is driven by the work of the Maine State Climate Council and its Coastal and Marine Working Group. 

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

Now, the 91爆料 is helping lead an effort to find answers.

This week, a delegation organized by Maine Sea Grant and 91爆料 Cooperative Extension will travel to Hokkaido, Japan, to study advanced sea urchin farming techniques and explore how they could be adapted to strengthen Maine鈥檚 industry.

Hugh Cowperthwaite of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., who helped coordinate the trip, said the group is eager to learn from Japan鈥檚 diverse approaches to harvesting and aquaculture.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to learn from the Japanese about the many different forms of their sea urchin fishery. They range from open water wild harvest to bottom leasing, confined structures and submerged cage culture,鈥� Cowperthwaite said. 鈥淚t will be fascinating to understand how these practices developed and what we can implement in Maine.鈥�

The trip builds on a long history of collaboration between Maine and Japan鈥檚 marine industries, particularly in scallops, and reflects growing momentum around aquaculture innovation at 91爆料. With renewed interest from industry, researchers and regulators, the effort aims to strengthen both farmed production and the wild harvest.

Maine鈥檚 sea urchin fishery expanded rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s, when global markets embraced the state鈥檚 high-quality roe, known as uni. Since then, declining populations have limited the fishery and underscored the need for new approaches. While urchins can be raised to market size, achieving profitability at scale remains a challenge.

Supported by the National Sea Grant Program, the delegation will spend a week visiting hatcheries, farms, processors and research facilities across Hokkaido, Japan鈥檚 northernmost main island.

Participants include representatives from across and beyond Maine鈥檚 marine economy, including the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the 91爆料 Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, University of Rhode Island and private aquaculture companies.

鈥淎s a fisheries scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, I鈥檓 excited to learn from Japan鈥檚 long experience with sea urchin fisheries and aquaculture,鈥� said Elijah Bates of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially interested in what ideas might help support the long-term sustainability of Maine鈥檚 urchin resource.鈥�

For Maine growers, the trip is also an opportunity to bring new ideas back to their operations. Michael Scannell of Saco Bay Sea Farms said he is particularly interested in how Japan integrates seaweed and urchin production.

鈥淎s the founder and CEO of Saco Bay Sea Farms, I鈥檓 excited for the opportunity to learn from Japan鈥檚 long history of sea urchin aquaculture and enhancement,鈥� Scannell said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e particularly interested in the seaweed-to-urchin pipeline and how urchins can become a viable emerging crop in Maine. I鈥檓 hopeful what we learn in Hokkaido will help inform future research and development here.鈥�

Contact: Dana Morse dana.morse@maine.edu

Most scallops can take many days 鈥� if not weeks 鈥� to reach shore after they are harvested, but dayboat scallops are brought back within 24 hours to be sold, packaged, shipped or frozen. 

Brawn launched Downeast Dayboat in 2011 to share the product she loves with customers nationwide. While the business showed promise, Brawn said her technical savvy didn鈥檛 match her passion. She searched for business consultants who could help her plan for long-term stability and growth but worried they would be too expensive or prioritize profit over her commitment to supporting Maine seafood.

Then she applied to join the , an organization anchored at the 91爆料 that offers free business and technical assistance, scientific research and networking opportunities for seafood businesses nationwide. The goal is to grow community-based seafood systems by supporting businesses committed to the well-being of their coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

鈥淎s someone who wants to promote local seafood, I can鈥檛 just hire a consultant that鈥檚 going to focus on profit,鈥� Brawn said. 鈥淭he original impetus for this business was to get fishermen more money, not to make money for myself. While I realize I can only advance my mission if I stay in business, which requires turning a profit, I don’t ever want to lose sight of why I started this all.鈥�

Since the Local Catch Network was co-founded in 2011 by Joshua Stoll, 91爆料 associate professor of marine policy, it has helped more than 70 community-based seafood businesses like Downeast Dayboat across New England, Florida, Alaska, California and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Local Catch Network through a new grant from the Agricultural Marketing Services. This funding allows the organization to continue its services and support more seafood businesses. The network鈥檚 growth and capacity have also been fueled by $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured in 2022 by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, now chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

鈥淭hese federal funding sources provide the foundational support for our organization to foster a vital and growing network of community-based seafood businesses,鈥� Stoll said. 鈥淭ogether we are cultivating a shared vision of thriving food systems that contribute to the health, prosperity and sovereignty of the communities and ecosystems that make them possible, as well as connect consumers to the fishing communities that feed them.鈥� 

Brawn enrolled in the Local Catch Network鈥檚 Seafood Accelerator & Innovation Lab (SAIL) in 2025, specifically its one-year mentorship program. The mentorship pairs entrepreneurs with fishing business professionals who provide one-on-one guidance and long-term financial planning through biweekly, quarterly and annual reviews. 

The SAIL program connected Brawn with Chris Kantowicz of Skipper Otto, a community supported fishery in British Columbia and strategic partner of the Local Catch Network. Kantowicz dedicated time to get to know Brawn鈥檚 operations and keeping her focused on financial planning. 

By the end of the mentorship, Brawn decided the best way to advance her mission was to downsize her business to focus on what she does best: direct to consumer sales. She also decided to attend more events to promote her products, rather than focusing on wholesale growth.

鈥淭he SAIL mentor program allowed Chris to spend the time digging into my business, my company and me in order to ask the right questions and make the right recommendations,鈥� Brawn said. “I would not have had the confidence to make this counterintuitive choice to downsize without Chris’s candid, well-informed feedback.”

Now in its third year, the SAIL mentorship program has helped 12 businesses build long-term resilience and explore opportunities for growth. 

The Local Catch Network also offers SAIL Catalyst, a three-month group program that provides participants skills and knowledge to strengthen their businesses and expand their networks. Twice-a-week sessions in the program offer instruction on a broad range of business assets, such as capital access, contracts, partnerships, insurance, employment, taxation and marketing. Now in its fourth year, SAIL Catalyst has benefited 54 businesses and nearly 150 individuals, including owners and staff. 

鈥淏oth of our SAIL programs help small-scale seafood companies boost their business acumen, not only to sustain or grow their operations in a highly competitive market but also to set themselves apart as stewards of sustainable and local food systems that support other small businesses,鈥� said Jessica Gribbon Joyce, program manager of the Local Catch Network. 

Linda Smith, owner of Wasco Fisheries LLC in Oregon, enrolled in SAIL Catalyst to improve her ability to scale, market and distribute seafood within her Native- and woman-owned salmon business while staying true to values rooted in the fishing traditions of the Columbia River. Fishing is an intrinsic part of Smith鈥檚 identity, family and culture, and Wasco Fisheries allows her to honor her traditions while supporting herself and her family. 

SAIL Catalyst taught Smith how to strengthen marketing, streamline distribution and build wholesale relationships. The program also connected her with other seafood entrepreneurs whose shared experiences and challenges helped her think more broadly about growing her own business. 

Using what she learned from the program, Smith hopes to expand the company鈥檚 smoked, canned and fresh salmon offerings; enhance her branding; create stronger customer relationships; and establish more consistent sales channels.

鈥淭his work is deeply personal to me. Fishing connects me to my ancestors, the river and my community. Programs like SAIL help small fishing businesses like mine stay strong, adapt to change and keep these traditions alive while creating real economic opportunities,鈥� Smith said. 

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

Along the way, she rediscovered a part of herself that she had nearly forgotten.

鈥淲hen I was a kid, I loved the ocean. I was always saying to everybody I was going to be a marine biologist when I grew up,鈥� Fish said. 鈥淏ut you’re like five or seven or 10 at the time, and it goes on the back burner.鈥�

At the 91爆料, Fish found a way back to the ocean and the chance to explore the kind of future she once imagined.

The 91爆料 campus is about an hour from the coast 鈥� an unlikely location for a marine sciences hub. But that distance and region-leading affordability is exactly what gives the program an edge.

As early as the spring semester of their sophomore year, students can live, study and conduct research at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole. Their learning grounds are far removed from busy tourist beaches and urban waterfronts. The center sits on a quiet stretch of the Damariscotta River, where students can see the ocean from their dorms and access research vessels, laboratories and field sites.

These experiences reflect 91爆料鈥檚 commitment to learner-centered R1, hands-on, real-world research learning opportunities, where undergraduate students work directly with faculty and industry partners to tackle challenges facing Maine communities.

Maine鈥檚 coast may not be the warmest, sandiest or most biodiverse, but it offers something equally valuable: a resilient working waterfront and seasoned blue economy. Students learn to conduct research in demanding conditions 鈥� from diving in icy waters to studying marine life adapted to one of the North Atlantic鈥檚 most dynamic environments.

That environment was both unfamiliar and transformative for Emily Stricklin. Growing up in the Midwest, Stricklin said her experiences with the ocean were limited to the occasional family vacation. But she embraced the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone.

Stricklin, like Fish, saw her future in a new light when the pandemic hit. She was living in Chicago at the time and pursuing musical theatre. The city鈥檚 dense population fueled strict restrictions and indoor isolation.

鈥淚 decided that I wanted to work outside for the rest of my life,鈥� Stricklin said. 鈥淚 wanted to be in nature, where I’m happy, where it’s peaceful, and I wanted to make a difference in working there, not just to be in it, but to help.鈥�

Once she got to 91爆料 and started the marine sciences program, associate professor of chemical oceanography Margaret Estapa hired her to be a research assistant. Estapa鈥檚 lab is where Stricklin first began tackling microplastic pollution and where she decided to make the switch from marine biology to oceanography. 

Her proximity to the ocean during Semester by the Sea has helped her pursue her own active research in the field. She鈥檚 exploring whether spectrophotometry, a study that measures how light interacts with substances, is a reliable method of detecting microplastics in the ocean and whether temperature has an effect on their presence.

鈥淚t’s very hands-on and very immersive down here (at the Darling Marine Center), which I really like. You get a lot of experience and build a lot of skills very quickly,鈥� Stricklin said.

Building a coastal community

In addition to research projects and courses, students can participate in group trips and activities planned and led by program coordinators. After spending two semesters in the program, Fish worked as its residential coordinator during the fall 2025 semester after she had graduated that May. She and the students went to an apple orchard, corn maze and botanical garden with holiday lights and spent a day on the open ocean in a sailboat.

But Fish said those activities aren鈥檛 what really bond the students together. It鈥檚 more about the day to day experiences.

鈥淵ou’re such a small group, and the way that your day is structured: you eat every meal together; you have all the same classes together. You get really close, really fast,鈥� Fish said.

That makes the outings, the research and the experience as a whole more impactful. 

Wge Ellis has been a part of the School of Marine Sciences for nearly 23 years. Now the associate director of the school, he has helped grow enrollment in Semester by the Sea from about 10 students to over 30 in the fall semesters. 91爆料鈥檚 College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences established the undergraduate marine sciences program in 1996. Just two years later and with support from the college, the Darling Marine Center began building a dormitory and dining facility 鈥� Brooke Hall 鈥� as a way to bring students to the coast. Semester by the Sea started shortly after that.

鈥淲e don’t have the ocean in Orono, but because we don’t, we’ve created something pretty unique, pretty special, for a whole semester,鈥� Ellis said. 

Faculty members don鈥檛 worry about what time of day high or low tide is. Class meets for a whole day, and students get unlimited access to a range of coastal ecosystems, from the three miles of hiking trails on campus to an entire river estuary. Coursework spans oceanography, ecology, aquaculture, scientific diving and data analysis, while ongoing research includes exploring fish diets, kelp forests, microplastics, life cycles of scallops and larval lobsters. 

鈥淵ou will get more hands-on experience and time in the field in one semester than some of these institutions on the coast will give you in four years,鈥� Ellis said.

The School of Marine Sciences offers scholarship funds to help students participate in the program.

Fueling Maine aquaculture

Some of the first 91爆料 graduates who studied at the Darling Marine Center as graduate students went on to launch oyster aquaculture businesses along the Damariscotta River in the 1970s. Today, the river produces roughly 80% of Maine鈥檚 oysters and supports a thriving aquaculture industry.

Through Semester by the Sea, students are able to work alongside many of these companies while completing their coursework. According to Ellis, the experience often convinces students 鈥� many of whom come from out of state 鈥� to stay and build careers in Maine鈥檚 aquaculture industry.

That was the case for Katie Conklin, a marine sciences student from Connecticut. An aquaculture systems course she took her junior year in Orono helped her land a summer internship with Mook Sea Farm, an oyster hatchery on the Damariscotta River. Conklin continued working with the company as a part-time hatchery assistant during her senior year while participating in Semester by the Sea. After graduating, she will remain with Mook as a full-time hatchery technician.

While living at the Darling Marine Center, her work and proximity to the river estuary has also informed her senior capstone project, which is exploring the impact of nearby oyster hatcheries on wild populations of oysters. She, like all students who take part in the spring semester of the program, will get to witness the coastal ecosystem 鈥� and young wild oysters 鈥� emerge from winter dormancy. 

Leadership is brainstorming options for summer programs that could integrate internships directly into coursework, strengthening connections between the classroom and the state鈥檚 aquaculture industry.

For students like Conklin, Fish and Stricklin, the program offers more than hands-on research experience. It opens pathways to careers along Maine鈥檚 coast and the chance for students to pursue their own blue horizons.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

Seeing firsthand how much farmers depend on their crop surviving the winter shaped the direction of her senior capstone project at the 91爆料.

鈥淚 worked on an oyster farm and wanted to base my project on oysters,鈥� she said.

Now, Diaz Flint, a marine science major with a concentration in aquaculture, is developing a tool to help Maine oyster farmers monitor oyster health and better predict overwintering survival.

Diaz Flint鈥檚 project reflects 91爆料鈥檚 commitment to learner-centered R1, hands-on, real-world research learning opportunities, where undergraduate students work directly with faculty and industry partners to tackle challenges facing Maine communities.

The work comes as oyster farming continues to grow across the state, even as farms remain vulnerable to diseases such as Sudden Unusual Mortality Syndrome, or SUMS, and to seasonal stress during the winter months.

Her project focuses on near-infrared spectroscopy, an analytical method that uses infrared light to measure the chemical composition of organic materials. Aquaculturists, including researchers and farmers, can use the technology to measure lipid reserves in oysters by scanning the tissues of shellfish, allowing them to assess nutritional health of the animal.

鈥淚 turned to spectrometry, which involves passing infrared light through tissue samples and analyzing what reflects back to determine chemical concentration,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom there, I can build a model and use samples from farmed oysters to see whether they are susceptible to dying over the winter or how prepared they are for winter and other environmental stressors.鈥�

Lipids are concentrated energy reserves stored within an oyster鈥檚 tissue. They can serve as fuel during winter and early spring if oysters are active but food supplies are short. They may also help oysters resist stress associated with SUMS, which refers to unpredictable die-offs triggered when an oyster鈥檚 energy is depleted.

Oysters typically require a two-year culture cycle to reach market size. They must accumulate enough lipids to survive the winter, when cold water temperatures reduce feeding activity.

Paul Rawson, a professor of marine science in the 91爆料鈥檚 School of Marine Sciences and Diaz Flint鈥檚 project adviser, said the industry has long sought better ways to understand overwintering success.

鈥淚t has long been an interest in the oyster industry to understand what limits overwintering success,鈥� Rawson said. 鈥淚n Maine, there has always been a need to understand ways to sustain oysters from their first season in the water through the winter to the second season, when they reach market size.鈥�

Although near-infrared spectroscopy has existed for years, Diaz Flint鈥檚 project aims to refine the technology to address modern challenges in a changing coastal environment.

鈥淛ust by providing a model, it allows scientists, researchers and farmers to base their research on it and learn from it,鈥� Diaz Flint said. 鈥淯ltimately, I want to contribute to more resilient and sustainable aquaculture in Maine鈥檚 changing coastal environment.鈥�

Story by Alexa Rose Perocillo, news intern

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