When Timothy Simons arrived at the 91±¬ĮĻ, he was homesick, uncertain about his future and struggling to find his place on campus.

Everything changed after he auditioned for a student theater production and met professor Sandra Hardy, who encouraged him to pursue acting.

Twenty-five years later, Simons returned to Orono as the keynote speaker for 91±¬ĮĻā€™s 224th undergraduate commencement ceremonies, delivering a speech that mixed humor, self-reflection and encouragement while urging graduates to recognize that success does not follow a single timeline.

ā€œI was an aimless student,ā€ said Simons, a 2001 91±¬ĮĻ graduate from Readfield, Maine. ā€œWhen I came to 91±¬ĮĻ, I had truly no idea what I should do with myself day-to-day, much less what I wanted to do with my life.ā€

91±¬ĮĻ held three commencement ceremonies in Orono and Machias, where speakers emphasized resilience, courage, innovation and community. In Orono, 1,495 students received degrees during undergraduate ceremonies May 9, while over 900 graduate students were recognized May 8. The 91±¬ĮĻ at Machias honored 54 graduates May 10.

Simons, known for his role as Jonah Ryan on HBOā€™s ā€œVeepā€ and more recently for his Critics Choice Awards-nominated role in Netflixā€™s ā€œNobody Wants This,ā€ addressed graduates inside the newly renovated Harold Alfond Sports Arena.

ā€œMy timeline here was what we now call nontraditional,ā€ Simons said. ā€œBut my time at this school is the reason that Iā€™ve managed to do anything in my life.ā€

Throughout his remarks, Simons reflected on the professors, classmates and experiences that shaped him during his five years at 91±¬ĮĻ. He credited Hardy with teaching students how to persevere through failure and rejection while continuing to grow.

ā€œShe prepared us for the inevitable onslaught of rejection we would receive but at the same time taught us the skills to build ourselves up again,ā€ Simons said.

Simons also encouraged graduates to take risks even when they feel uncertain about the future.

ā€œBravery isnā€™t not being afraid,ā€ Simons said. ā€œBravery is being afraid and doing it anyway.ā€

The undergraduate ceremonies also celebrated the universityā€™s recent growth and achievements, including the reaffirmation of 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Carnegie R1 research status, major campus construction projects and student-led initiatives.

91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy encouraged graduates to remain open to new opportunities after leaving campus.

ā€œI want to assure you that it is OK to be uncertain about your future,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said. ā€œDonā€™t let that uncertainty stop you from taking risks and reaching out in new directions.ā€

Ferrini-Mundy also highlighted several undergraduate students whose research addressed issues impacting Maine and beyond, including PFAS and food insecurity.

ā€œThe future can be more just, more equitable, more innovative, more safe and more compassionate with intention,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said. ā€œIt becomes better only when people like you ā€” people who care, people who worked hard here at 91±¬ĮĻ to learn and grow and have knowledge and capability, people who can see both problems and possibilities. When you choose to act, you are capable of making those changes.ā€

Valedictorian Ruth Griffith encouraged graduates to reflect on the values that will guide them after college.

ā€œSo I think each of us here today needs to ask two additional questions,ā€ Griffith said. ā€œFirst: What are my core values? And second: How will I embody them?ā€

Griffith, who graduated with a degree in economics and minors in mathematics and international affairs, urged classmates to prioritize values over ambition.

ā€œBecause I truly believe that if we lead with our values rather than just our ambitions, we will find ourselves happier,ā€ she said. ā€œOur picture of success will shift.ā€

Co-salutatorian Isabelle Irani told graduates uncertainty should be embraced rather than feared.

ā€œWhat if not knowing what weā€™re doing isnā€™t a weakness?ā€ Irani said. ā€œWhat if itā€™s actually the reason weā€™re capable of more than we think?ā€

Co-salutatorian Andrii Obertas reflected on the perseverance shared by graduates and encouraged classmates to support one another moving forward.

ā€œIt is a simple reality of life that no single person can change the world alone,ā€ Obertas said. ā€œOnly united can we make a difference. And only through empathy can we build a better future.ā€

Student Government President Keegan Tripp told his fellow graduates to stay bold enough to act.

ā€œSpeak when it would be easier to stay quiet,ā€ he said. ā€œBuild when it would be easier to walk away. Show love and appreciation to the family and friends who got you here.ā€

The university also recognized Mohamad Musavi, senior associate dean and professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, as the 2026 Distinguished Maine Professor.

ā€œSuccess does not happen by accident,ā€ Musavi said. ā€œIt requires passion, hard work and resilience.ā€

The university also recognized Carol Dana, upon whom the 91±¬ĮĻ System Board of Trustees conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for decades of work preserving and revitalizing the Penobscot language and culture.

Graduate ceremony focuses on innovation, resilience

During the graduate commencement ceremony, speakers focused on research, innovation and the impact graduates will have beyond the university.

Graduate School Dean Scott Delcourt encouraged graduates to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing workforce.

ā€œWhen asked about the greatest skills that companies were looking for in their new hires, the overwhelming response was the ability to think critically,ā€ Delcourt said.

Ferrini-Mundy praised graduate students for balancing academics with careers, caregiving and leadership responsibilities while advancing research and innovation.

ā€œYou stepped into entrepreneurship and innovation. You stepped into the unknown,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said. ā€œAnd you just kept going!ā€

Graduate Student Government President Sudati Shrestha reflected on her journey from Nepal to the commencement stage while honoring her late father.

ā€œThe 91±¬ĮĻ gave me that opportunity, and today, as I stand here, I realize that this moment is more than just a personal achievement,ā€ Shrestha said. ā€œIt is the fulfillment of a dream.ā€

Graduate commencement speakers Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding reflected on building Marin Skincare from lobster research connected to 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Lobster Institute into a nationally distributed skincare company rooted in Maine innovation and sustainability.

ā€œYou are on the cusp of a huge life change, the beginning of an entirely new story, and itā€™s time to think big,ā€ Boutiette told graduates.

Breeding encouraged graduates to remain curious and open to unexpected opportunities.

ā€œWhen you lead with curiosity, suddenly, you start to make your own luck,ā€ Breeding said.

Machias ceremony emphasizes community, perseverance

During the Machias ceremony, speakers encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, persevere through challenges and remain grounded in community and compassion.

Ferrini-Mundy encouraged graduates to move forward with confidence and to remain connected to the values and community they developed at 91±¬ĮĻ Machias.

ā€œAs you move forward, you will encounter both opportunity and uncertainty,ā€ she said. ā€œIn those moments, I encourage you to draw on what you have built here: a strong sense of purpose, respect for others, and a readiness to engage thoughtfully with the world around you.ā€

Valedictorian Rachel Dā€™Alessandro encouraged classmates to embrace change and reject perfectionism.

ā€œDonā€™t strive for perfection; strive to be a better you,ā€ Dā€™Alessandro said.

The university conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree upon Susan Mingo, who reflected on returning to college after initially dropping out.

ā€œYour path does not need to be perfect to be powerful,ā€ said Mingo, president of Washington County Community College.

Ivy Orator Regina McNamara de la Vega encouraged graduates to continue learning and remain optimistic through difficult moments.

ā€œNever let the clouds deter you from reaching the sunlight and earning what you want in life,ā€ McNamara said.

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

The Foster Center for Innovation is hosting the event to highlight research innovations from the eighth cohort of the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s MIRTA accelerator program. MIRTA, coordinated by 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Foster Center for Innovation, assists teams from research institutions throughout the state in advancing lab discoveries into public and commercial use.

Projects from the 2026 cohort span sustainable materials, agricultural biotechnology, and AI safety. 

Registration is available through . General admission for Demo Day is $25, but 91±¬ĮĻ faculty, staff, and students can attend for free using the code 91±¬ĮĻStaff/Faculty or 91±¬ĮĻStudents.

At Demo Day, the current MIRTA teams will pitch commercialization plans shaped through market research, intellectual property analysis and business model development during the 16-week program. 

Commercialization plans vary depending on the type of invention a team brings to MIRTA, and the result could be starting a new company or licensing to an existing one. Guiding them throughout the process are business incubation staff from the Foster Center and expert advisors from industry. The teams are eligible to receive up to $25,000 each to help develop commercialization implementation plans.

Twelve start-up ventures have been formed from 36 teams that have taken part in our first seven MIRTA cohorts. They have collectively raised more than $14.3 million in external funding and prototype sales to support ongoing commercialization.

MIRTA is made possible by support from the 91±¬ĮĻ System Research Reinvestment Fund. The fund is a pool of competitive internal grants allocated to advance research projects along the path from discovery to becoming commercial products with public benefit. All projects are tied to Maine businesses or industries critical to the future of the state.

Most scallops can take many days ā€” if not weeks ā€” 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 didnā€™t 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±¬ĮĻ 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.

ā€œAs someone who wants to promote local seafood, I canā€™t just hire a consultant thatā€™s going to focus on profit,ā€ Brawn said. ā€œThe 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.ā€

Since the Local Catch Network was co-founded in 2011 by Joshua Stoll, 91±¬ĮĻ 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 networkā€™s 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.

ā€œThese federal funding sources provide the foundational support for our organization to foster a vital and growing network of community-based seafood businesses,ā€ Stoll said. ā€œTogether 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.ā€ 

Brawn enrolled in the Local Catch Networkā€™s 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 Brawnā€™s 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.

ā€œThe 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,ā€ 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. 

ā€œBoth 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,ā€ 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 Smithā€™s 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 companyā€™s smoked, canned and fresh salmon offerings; enhance her branding; create stronger customer relationships; and establish more consistent sales channels.

ā€œThis 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,ā€ Smith said. 

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

Since 1963, the has presented this honor to a 91±¬ĮĻ faculty member who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. Faculty members widely recognize this award as the most prestigious faculty honor at the university.

Musavi is an internationally recognized scholar, educator and academic leader whose career at 91±¬ĮĻ spans more than four decades of sustained excellence. A professor of electrical and computer engineering, he has played a transformative role in strengthening engineering and computing education at 91±¬ĮĻ while elevating the universityā€™s research reputation at the state and national levels.

In the late 1980s, long before artificial intelligence (AI) and automation became household terms, Musavi helped pioneer early educational and research opportunities that introduced students to foundational knowledge now central to todayā€™s AI-driven world. Many of his students went on to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of AI technologies in industry, research and public-sector organizations.

Musaviā€™s scholarly contributions span a wide range of high-impact areas, including AI, neural networks, smart grid and power systems, robotics, computer vision and STEM education. He has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than 50 externally funded research projects, securing nearly $13 million in support from leading organizations such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy and numerous industry partners. His work has resulted in an extensive publication record with more than 2,700 citations and an h-index of 22, demonstrating the lasting influence of his contributions across multiple disciplines.

Musavi is widely recognized for his profound impact as an educator and mentor. Across his career, he has supervised and supported more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students in research projects ā€” building pipelines of talented engineers, scientists and innovators who now contribute to the workforce in Maine and beyond.

He has developed numerous undergraduate and graduate courses and founded multiple educational and research laboratories, creating hands-on learning environments that allow students to gain real-world experience in emerging technologies.

Musaviā€™s dedication to professional service has earned him long-standing recognition. He received the 2014 Engineering Service Award and has been a committed advocate for engineering education and outreach throughout the state. He also served as president and board member of the Maine Engineering Promotion Council, helping organize Maineā€™s annual Engineering Expos, which bring together students, educators and industry partners to promote engineering pathways and innovation.

In addition to his service at the university, Musavi has made a lasting impact on K-12 STEM education, as well as on Maineā€™s industry and economic development. Working closely with a team of Bangor High School teachers, he helped develop the first STEM Academy in Maine, a program that later became a national model for STEM-focused secondary education.  

Through his award-winning SMART Institute, Musavi helped cultivate a generation of student innovators. Alumni from the program have earned national recognition, including achievement in the Intel Science Talent Search and features in National Geographic. For his contributions to strengthening K-12 STEM education, he received theK-12 STEM Literacy Educator-Engineer Partnership Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineersā€™ U.S. unit (IEEE-USA) in 2014.

Musavi also developed close partnerships with companies across the state, helping expand Maineā€™s engineering workforce and providing educational opportunities to support industry growth and advanced technical expertise.

A formal presentation of this honor will be made at the 91±¬ĮĻ Alumni Associationā€™s annual Alumni Achievement Awards event on Friday, May 1, at the Collins Center for the Arts.  

Founded in 1875, the 91±¬ĮĻ Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization governed by alumni, serving over 100,000 91±¬ĮĻ alumni worldwide. Its mission is to strengthen 91±¬ĮĻ by inspiring lifelong connection, passion and engagement among its alumni community. For more information about the 91±¬ĮĻ Alumni Association and its Alumni Achievement Awards event, visit .

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

From potato farms to global shipping lanes, ideas from Maineā€™s R&D department are making an impact 

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

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

Here are just a few of the bright ideas from :

Invented at 91±¬ĮĻ:

Maineā€™s favorite potato

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

The high-yielding Caribou Russet matures quickly and performs well for chip and french fry processors and fresh retail markets ā€” attributes that made the potato Maineā€™s most sown spud in and . The variety, developed by 91±¬ĮĻ in partnership with the Maine Potato Board at the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Stationā€™s Aroostook Farm, debuted in 2015 after more than a decade of development. 

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

More bridge for your bucks 

91±¬ĮĻ engineers have reimagined how bridges are built. 91±¬ĮĻā€™s award-winning  uses lightweight composite arch tubes filled with concrete on site, requiring only one-fifth of the concrete used in similar conventionally built designs.  

91±¬ĮĻ researchers also originated steel-free, longer-lasting bridge girders. The  helped raise the Grist Mill Bridge in Hampden, and are being used in the Stillwater bridge construction in Old Town. 

These lightweight, durable, easily deployed and corrosion-free structures extend the life of bridges to over 100 years with minimal maintenance. Both structure types are produced by Maine-based manufacturer , a division of Basalt International, creating 91±¬ĮĻ innovation-backed jobs in the Pine Tree State. Ģż

A sculpture that harnesses the sun to make learning math fun

The helps people visualize multiplication and division through play. 

91±¬ĮĻ mathematics educators and artists put their heads together to develop the interactive outdoor sculpture, which made its debut in Oronoā€™s Webster Park in 2022. As users adjust the sculptureā€™s reflective plate, beams of light shift across a grid to model how numbers scale and relate. 

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

Transforming wood waste into affordable housing

Layer by layer, 91±¬ĮĻ researchers are driving down the cost, build time and environmental impact of housing. is the worldā€™s first fully forest-derived, 3D-printed house. The structure, built outside 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Advanced Structures and Composites Center in 2022, is made from corn glue and sawdust.  

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

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

Helping people with limited vision live and learn

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

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

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

Cargo containers that tattle on thieves

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

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

A spinoff that saves soldiers’ lives

What started as an idea at 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Advanced Structures and Composites Center has grown into a life-saving enterprise. Founded by Paulā€ÆMelrose (ā€˜02, ā€˜04 G) , Compotech is rooted in 91±¬ĮĻ-developed materials and methods. Today, the Brewer-based company designs, manufactures and deploys next-generation protection systems for the U.S. military, creating high-paying jobs in the state.

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

Steadfast steel

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

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

Corporations spent decades studying the issue, but it wasnā€™t until the 1980s when Professor John Lyman, a mechanical engineer at 91±¬ĮĻ, found a solution after combing through all the technical literature he could find on the issue for about 15 years. ā€œHappily, the very first thing I tried worked,ā€ he said in a of 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Alumni Association magazine. 

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

On the horizon: The worldā€™s next super product

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

Nanocellulose is natureā€™s super polymer. This biodegradable, plant-derived substance is poised to revolutionize everyday products. 

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

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

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

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

At tables lined with booklets, branded coffee mugs, tote bags and stress balls, Shane Chandler and his colleagues eagerly greeted prospective hires for their company, Unum, during the 91±¬ĮĻ Career Fair. 

An insurance provider headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Unum sought to fill full-time positions on their operations, claims and benefits teams at its Portland, Maine, office, as well as recruit interns. To Chandler, 91±¬ĮĻ is ā€œamong the creme de la creme,ā€ and alumni they hire ā€œalways exceeded expectations.ā€

ā€œ91±¬ĮĻ students are professional, eager to learn and grow, and ask a lot of questions,ā€ Chandler said. ā€œWeā€™re a very value-driven company, and we see the students here really possess those qualities and align with our values.ā€ 

The 91±¬ĮĻ Career Fair is the largest of its kind in Maine. Recruiters who attended represented banks, financial firms, consultants, engineering companies, manufacturers, schools, retailers, hospitals, state and federal agencies, and the military. With pamphlets, memorabilia, firm handshakes and smiles, they sought applicants for summer jobs, internships, and part- and full-time positions.

Upon graduation, nearly all 91±¬ĮĻ students ā€” 94% as of the 2023-24 academic year ā€” gain employment, are accepted to graduate school or enter the military. The top occupational fields include engineering, business, health care and education. That’s encouraging news for the hundreds of 91±¬ĮĻ students and alumni, like senior Owen Searle, who attended this yearā€™s fair.

Searle, a management and marketing student from Falmouth, Maine, researched participating employers beforehand and arrived ready to make connections. He was eager to showcase his ambition, communication skills and previous work experience. 

ā€œItā€™s a really good way to put your foot in the door and hand out resumes,ā€ Searle said about the fair.

Bringing hard and soft kills to meet demand

Representing the United States Marine Corps, Capt. Corbin Tyler sought students pursuing engineering, mathematics and computer science degrees at 91±¬ĮĻ. The Marines, Tyler said, offer careers in aviation as well as roles in logistics, supply chanin management, communications, engineering and infantry.  

Having attended previous events such as the Engineering and Computing Job Fair in the fall, Tyler said 91±¬ĮĻ students stand out for their high GPAs and leadership capabilities in supervisory positions. 

ā€œWe cover over 35 campuses, and 91±¬ĮĻ is one of our larger schools,ā€ Tyler said. ā€œItā€™s been a very good school to come to.ā€ 

In addition to leadership and work ethic, employers highlighted 91±¬ĮĻ studentsā€™ work communication skills and punctuality. Among them was Ashley Moore, field personnel coordinator from CPM Constructors in Freeport, Maine. 

ā€œWe like the quality of students we get, and we really like the Construction Engineering Technology program,ā€ Moore said, who sought engineering students for first-year internships with her company. ā€œThe program has a strong focus on things we do, particularly estimates and project management.ā€ 

Relationships are keys to success 

Recruiters described 91±¬ĮĻ as a place where long-term relationships take root. Tyler praised the university for offering in-person career fairs, allowing employers to build stronger connections with students and faculty even as some institutions have shifted away from them. 

Moore noted CPM Constructorsā€™ close involvement with 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Construction Engineering Technology program, including an owner delivering lectures on campus.

Enterprise Mobility, another participant, has partnered with 91±¬ĮĻ for more than 30 years, according to talent acquisition manager Sareā€™ B. Arnold. The 91±¬ĮĻ Career Center, which hosted the event, connects Enterprise, based in St. Louis, Missouri, with students for prospective employment.

ā€œ91±¬ĮĻ continues to offer us ways to connect with students in person, and thatā€™s key for our recruitment efforts,ā€ Arnold said. ā€œ91±¬ĮĻ is a big presence in the Maine community, and our business is very tied to the community. So we have a common goal: we want our people who live in Maine to thrive in their careers.ā€

91±¬ĮĻ students also help open doors for their peers, as in the case of Stone Coast Fund Services in Portland, Maine. 

Jane Blanchard, who graduated from 91±¬ĮĻ in 2025 with a degree in marketing and business management, connected with Stone Coast when a colleague from her undergraduate program provided a reference. She now works there as an investor service representative. 

ā€œThe Maine Business School did a really good job making learning how to network and communicate professionally really accessible to students,ā€ Blanchard said. ā€œThere was such a variety of classes to take that were able to cover all of my interests.ā€  

Opportunity for growth

Many employers at the career fair offered internships and entry-level positions designed to provide professional growth and advancement.

ā€œWe work with a lot of students who start out as CNAa (certified nursing assistants) and go on to nursing school or other graduate programs,ā€ said Mandi Saunders, a recruiter from Northern Light Health, headquartered in Brewer, Maine. Northern Light offers services throughout the state. 

Saunders attended the fair seeking candidates for nurse and clinical psychologist positions for Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine. 

ā€œA lot of the students we hire are from 91±¬ĮĻ,ā€ she said. ā€œThey hit the ground running.ā€ 

At the career fair, Gigi Grant, a junior from Gardner, Maine, pursued internship opportunities to help her to become a psychiatric nurse. A nursing student with a minor in psychology, Grant said the event allowed her to connect with many employers in one space. 

Walking alongside Grant, Dakota Lovely, also from Gardner, explored graduate school offerings. A junior studying business management, Lovely plans to study optometry at a medical school. 

ā€œMainers are in need of any health care professionals, especially optometrists,” Lovely said. 

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

For nearly a decade, has pursued an iterative, hardware-driven approach to reducing cost, schedule, and technical risk for next-generation nuclear technology. In collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Kairos Power and the 91±¬ĮĻ collaborated on approaches that could improve speed and efficiency in nuclear construction using additive manufacturing.

Engineers at 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and ORNL designed and 3D-printed specialized sinusoidal concrete form liners to fit into a steel frame, creating a hybrid casting system for prefabricated structural elements that cuts costs and accelerates site construction. 

Using its large-scale additive manufacturing capabilities, the ASCC produced full-scale wall segments measuring approximately 3 feet thick and 27 feet tall, providing a critical demonstration of how advanced manufacturing can support faster, more precise and cost-effective nuclear construction.

ā€œThis demonstration is a crucial step to expanding the use of precast construction to build our plants with greater efficiency and enhanced performance on significantly faster timelines compared to conventional methods,ā€ said Kairos Power Chief Technology Officer Ed Blandford.

Large-scale manufacturing could reshape energy infrastructure

This partnership in innovation offers a glimpse of how large-scale manufacturing could reshape the future of American energy infrastructure.

ā€œThere was no margin for error. We met a commercial deadline with massive, high-precision components, a feat that felt astonishing for an academic center,ā€ said Susan MacKay, the chief sustainable materials officer at the ASCC. ā€œThis partnership demonstrates that 91±¬ĮĻ’s capability is truly operating at the speed of industry.ā€

The ASCC is home to the worldā€™s largest polymer 3D printer, capable of printing hundreds of pounds of material per hour. That industrial scale allows 91±¬ĮĻ to meet commercial deadlines typically reserved for private industry, a rare capability in higher education.

The work is part of the Specialized Materials and Manufacturing Alliance for Resilient Technologies, or SMĀ²ART. The public-private partnership solves industry challenges and lowers manufacturing costs by using locally sourced materials and leveraging the advanced production capabilities of 91±¬ĮĻ and the Department of Energyā€™s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee.

A model for how universities and national labs can work together

ā€œ91±¬ĮĻ is a model for how universities and national labs can work together to strengthen American manufacturing,ā€ said Ryan Dehoff, director of DOEā€™s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. ā€œPartnerships like SMĀ²ART give industry a direct path to the tools and talent needed to build the nationā€™s next generation of energy and defense infrastructure.ā€

The Manufacturing Demonstration Facility is supported by DOEā€™s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, is a nationwide consortium of collaborators working with ORNL to innovate, inspire and catalyze the transformation of U.S. manufacturing.

For more than half a century, nuclear energy has supplied the United States with steady, reliable electricity. Today, it generates nearly half of the nationā€™s carbon-free power and supports tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. But despite its promise, cost overruns and construction delays have long hindered new nuclear infrastructure ā€” a barrier that threatens energy security at a moment when artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and other forefront technologies are driving unprecedented demand for power.

Meeting commercial timelines without sacrificing precision

The ORNL, Kairos Power, and 91±¬ĮĻ collaborations developed an approach that could meet commercial timelines without sacrificing precision. This required 91±¬ĮĻā€™s ASCC printing team to produce the longest forms ever made at the center, followed by precision machining to tight tolerances. The ASCCā€™s new scanning and metrology team verified every curve and angle against the digital model, ensuring tight geometric tolerances and part quality.

ā€œThis project was made possible by 91±¬ĮĻā€™s ASCC leading expertise in large-scale additive and convergent manufacturing, composites materials and structural applications, and a business model responsive to industry needs. The 29-year old center is housed in a 150,000-square-foot laboratory with 400 personnel, and has a long history of keeping pace with the high-stakes schedules typically associated with private industry,ā€ said ASCC Executive Director Habib Dagher. ā€œItā€™s an unusual level of performance for an academic institution ā€” and a critical advantage as the U.S. seeks to modernize its energy infrastructure.ā€

Beyond physical infrastructure, 91±¬ĮĻ is building digital assurance through its Material Process Property Warehouse (MPPW). This system uses AI and machine learning to capture and track every step of large-scale additive and convergent manufacturing. By creating a ā€œdigital thread,ā€ the MPPW allows components to be ā€œborn certifiedā€ ā€” a breakthrough that reduces cost, regulatory delays and risk for industries like nuclear energy and defense.

91±¬ĮĻā€™s growing role in workforce development

The project also highlights 91±¬ĮĻā€™s growing role in workforce development. Students, graduate researchers and industry professionals work directly on projects like this, gaining real-world experience in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, energy and defense. This approach helps build a new generation of skilled workers who can translate complex science into industrial solutions.

While Kairos Power is focused on nuclear power, the universityā€™s innovation has applications far beyond nuclear energy. The same fast, large-scale manufacturing paired with digital certainty can be used for defense, transportation, housing, and AI infrastructure.

For Kairos Power, the partnership with SM²ART solved a critical construction challenge. For the nation, it demonstrated how innovation in Maine is helping build infrastructure faster, cheaper and smarter ā€” a key step toward meeting the energy demands of the future.

ā€‹ā€‹The SM²ART program is funded by the Department of Energyā€™s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. AMMTO supports a globally dominant U.S. manufacturing and industrial base for a resilient energy system and secure supply chain. Its mission is to drive and inspire innovation that transforms materials, manufacturing, and workforce and advances Americaā€™s energy economy.

Contact: MJ Gautrau, mj.gautrau@maine.edu

Total research and development expenditures reached $297.6 million, up 19% from last year. External research and development funding received reached $243.6 million, up 8% from 2024. The all-time highs mark a 276% increase in expenditures and a 384% rise in funding dedicated to research and development over the past 10 years.

91±¬ĮĻā€™s fiscal year 2025 (FY25) totals ā€” the highest in its history ā€” reflect awards from federal agencies, state partners and industry collaborators. The surge in support reflects 91±¬ĮĻā€™s strong national reputation and longstanding leadership in delivering innovations that strengthen the economy and support healthier, more resilient communities.

ā€œThis milestone demonstrates our capacity to advance knowledge and innovation that creates value for Maine communities and beyond,ā€ said 91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, who is also the vice chancellor for research and innovation for the 91±¬ĮĻ System (UMS). 
ā€œWe are grateful to our partners and the people of Maine and the nation for the support entrusted to us to advance this work, as well as the faculty, staff and students whose outstanding work made this possible.ā€ 

How Mainers leverage public research investment

Research funding helps modernize and maintain research labs and expertise at 91±¬ĮĻ, the stateā€™s only institution to have achieved R1 Carnegie Classification for research excellence and productivity. Whether they want to develop or that create new markets for the stateā€™s forest sector, Maine businesses tap into this innovation infrastructure to develop their own ideas. 

Nick King, general manager at SalmoGen Company, Inc. in Portland, says 91±¬ĮĻā€™s specialized facilities and expertise are helping the company significantly accelerate its timeline to market.

ā€œThese fish are the foundation of our breeding program and essential to the future of our company. Housing them at the 91±¬ĮĻ Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, under the care of their expert staff, enables us to rapidly scale up our biological assets while our own Maine facility is designed and constructed,ā€ said King.

ā€œThis partnership accelerates our timeline to market by four years, meaning that we expect to begin operations and hiring much sooner, bringing new employment opportunities and economic benefits to the local community.ā€

Research builds careers

Research productivity also fuels opportunities for students at Maineā€™s learner-centered R1 research university. Last year, more than one-quarter of undergraduate students at 91±¬ĮĻ helped advance research. These hands-on experiences help students, like Hannah Maker, develop problem-solving skills that prepare them for in-demand careers.

Maker, a senior nursing student from Machiasport, is working with 91±¬ĮĻ School of Nursing faculty through a research partnership with the nonprofit Community Caring Collaborative to design and evaluate a care framework that centers dignity for adults 55 and older in Washington County. The Downeast Population Health Initiative builds on the Collaborativeā€™s existing digital resource platform to address distress linked to unmet needs such as housing, food, transportation, caregiving and social connection.

ā€œGrowing up in Washington County and serving as an EMT with the Machias Ambulance Service has given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges older adults face, and Iā€™m grateful to be part of research thatā€™s creating real solutions close to home,ā€ Maker said.

ā€œBeing part of this project has shown me that nursing is not just about treating disease, but caring for the whole person ā€” recognizing how community conditions shape health, since research shows social and environmental factors account for 80% of health outcomes.ā€

Sustained growth drives innovation 

ā€œThese achievements reflect the collective talent and creativity of our faculty, staff, and students,ā€ said Giovanna Guidoboni, 91±¬ĮĻā€™s interim vice president for research. ā€œAs Maineā€™s only R1 university, our greatest strength is our ability to connect people and ideas across disciplines to drive innovation and address challenges that matter to Maine and the world.ā€

91±¬ĮĻ and UMS leaders emphasize, however, that these numbers tell only part of the story. 

ā€œWeā€™re most proud of the way these investments generate data and solutions to make life better with a strong economy, vibrant communities and a steady supply of workforce-ready graduates,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said.

As federal research budgets face increasing pressure and respond to shifting priorities, 91±¬ĮĻ and the UMS continue to work closely with Maineā€™s Congressional Delegation, federal and state agencies, professional associations, and other partners to sustain this momentum and ensure that Maine remains a source of solutions for the nation.

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

Researchers from Kelson Marine in Portland, Maine and the 91±¬ĮĻ developed a new tool that provides detailed economic analyses for kelp farmers and reveals strategies for reducing the cost of farmed seaweed. It accounts for differences in site selection, weather, crop size and dozens of other scenario-specific factors. It can be used for operations nearshore and offshore, like large-scale farms in the Gulf of Maine that are fully exposed to nor-easter driven waves. 

ā€œBy using this tool to investigate the comprehensive implications of any given farm design or operational decision, we can help kelp farmers meaningfully reduce production costs and achieve economic sustainability,ā€ said project lead Zach Moscicki, ocean engineer with Kelson Marine. ā€œThe tool allows us to carefully navigate the multitude of tradeoffs associated with any such decision and avoid leaning into overly narrow-scoped improvements that may reduce costs in one way, but increase costs or reduce production via some other indirect but connected pathway.ā€ 

The tool incorporates many different factors from a farming scenario, including site specific-ocean and meteorological conditions, species-specific crop characteristics and growth, workboat types and sizes, labor structures, operational technology, local shore-side infrastructure, maintenance schedules and more. 

By resolving the comprehensive impact on the bottom line and the multitude of tradeoffs associated with specific operational and farm design decisions, the tool provides unique insight into the implications of cost-saving alternatives. These can include on-board kelp processing or storage techniques, or using various machinery to increase operation speeds. 

To test the tool, researchers used it to analyze the production costs of a hypothetical sugar kelp farming operation occupying 1000 acres, located about 12 miles from shore at a site with a water depth of 330 feet. Several scenarios, including multiple farm designs and operational models, were evaluated to understand the inherent impacts on farming at such a site.Ģż

The tool predicted that operating a kelp farm that is simply designed for low structural costs and high production volume would cost $2618 per tonne of fresh kelp. However, by testing design and operational decisions via the tool, the team was able to identify significant improvements that, when combined, reduced the cost of production by 85% to $383 per tonne of fresh kelp. These improvements included deeper cultivation lines, mechanized harvest and seeding operations, processing the kelp on-site into a slurry, optimizing vessel sizes and selecting different vessels.

The team from Kelson Marine and 91±¬ĮĻ was supported by scientists from the University of New Hampshire, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Vertical Bay Maine. 

The framework for this tool and case study findings are published in . Kelp farmers in Maine and beyond who are interested in receiving analyses from this tool can contact Moscicki at z.moscicki@kelsonmarine.com.

This work was supported with funding from Conscience Bay Research, The Builders Initiative and Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Structural analysis tools developed and validated under the U.S. Department of Energyā€™s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (ARPA-e MARINER) program were applied in this study.

This tool is the latest example of how 91±¬ĮĻ students and faculty are preserving and propelling the stateā€™s blue economy, industries that use ocean resources for economic growth without jeopardizing the environment. 

Through innovation and workforce development, the university broadens insight into ecological and socioeconomic changes that affect the stateā€™s coastal communities and businesses. Its faculty and students are also exploring opportunities for new sectors and markets. 

ā€œWhat is exciting about this new model is that it is the most comprehensive and detailed cost analysis of offshore kelp growth in the U.S. to date,ā€ said Damian Brady, professor of marine sciences at 91±¬ĮĻ. ā€œAnd this type of analysis helps us find pain points where investments in technology can rapidly change the cost-benefit analysis.ā€ 

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

ā€œOne of our goals is to take the technology and make sure it works for people in the state of Maine and to create jobs in Maine,ā€ said ASCC Executive Director Habib Dagher.

Evergreen joins a growing list of successful ASCC spinoffs transforming university innovation into real-world impact across the state.

On Maineā€™s rugged coast, where shipbuilding, fishing and working waterfronts have defined generations, leaders say the future is once again tied to the sea ā€” this time through aquaculture, marine technology and research.

91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy told attendees at the 2025 Maine Blue Economy Innovation Summit that the stateā€™s success depends not only on innovation, but also on the people prepared to drive it.

ā€œYou donā€™t get to focus on an economy without thinking about the people who make and drive that economy ā€” and that will be our trained, skilled workforce,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said in her plenary address at the Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay.

She recalled 91±¬ĮĻā€™s history as a land grant university rooted in agriculture and forestry. That mission broadened more than 50 years ago when the university began federally funded research into cold-water marine environments ā€” work that helped launch decades of leadership in the blue economy.

ā€œOver the last five decades, of course, weā€™ve been a global leader in this state, in the blue economy,ā€ she said. ā€œItā€™s all about partnerships. Itā€™s about communities coming together to bring this economy to a forefront that is critical for our state.ā€

Ferrini-Mundy highlighted the role of 91±¬ĮĻ MARINE, the universityā€™s hub for aquaculture and marine technology research, which connects faculty, students and industry partners across the state. 

She noted 91±¬ĮĻā€™s network of coastal research facilities ā€” including the Aquaculture Research Institute in Orono; the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research in Franklin; the Darling Marine Center in Walpole; and the Down East Institute in Beals, which serves as the Marine Science Field station for the 91±¬ĮĻ at Machias.

ā€œOur researchers are working on sustainable aquaculture methods, new feed alternatives and innovations that strengthen Maineā€™s seafood sector,ā€ she said.

She added that 91±¬ĮĻ scientists also collaborate with boatbuilders and coastal communities on projects ranging from vessel design to extreme weather. 

ā€œWe see ourselves as Maineā€™s research and development department, advancing basic science, applied research and innovation that keep our communities strong and our economy competitive,ā€ Ferrini-Mundy said.

The Oct. 3 summit drew business leaders, researchers, policymakers and students from across the state. The agenda included plenary remarks, panel discussions, breakout sessions and an innovation showcase. Program tracks focused on aquaculture and fisheries, coastal engineering and boatbuilding, and community resilience.

Michael Duguay, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, delivered the keynote address.

The sea has always shaped Maineā€™s economy, he said ā€” from shipyards to lobster boats. Whatā€™s changing is how the state is harnessing that connection through aquaculture, advanced marine technology and ocean-based research.

ā€œOur blue economy touches every coastal town in Maine,ā€ Duguay said. ā€œIt supports tens of thousands of jobs, strengthens our working waterfronts and positions us to lead in industries of the future.ā€

Maineā€™s maritime industries have always been about adapting to change.

ā€œShipbuilding, fishing and maritime trade werenā€™t just industries ā€” they were ways of life,ā€ Duguay said. ā€œBut what defines us is the ability to evolve.ā€

That evolution is accelerating, with aquaculture leading the way.

ā€œMaine is the largest producer of farmed seaweed in the United States, and the value of our aquaculture industry has doubled in the last decade,ā€ Duguay said. ā€œThis isnā€™t just about oysters and mussels. Itā€™s about kelp as a food source and as an input for everything from animal feed to cosmetics. Itā€™s about salmon and trout farming to meet rising demand for protein.ā€

He also pointed to growth areas such as seafood processing, biotechnology and advanced materials.

ā€œOur tradition of boatbuilding, combined with new composite technologies, positions Maine at the forefront of sustainable marine transportation,ā€ he said. ā€œAnd marine biotech ā€” from pharmaceuticals to new materials ā€” is another frontier where our researchers are already laying the groundwork.ā€

State support has been crucial in preparing the industry for its next phase, Duguay said. More than $10 million in grants were directed to businesses and nonprofits after last winterā€™s storms.

ā€œThose grants prevented closures, retained local employment and helped rebuild stronger infrastructure,ā€ he said.

That momentum extends to workforce development.

ā€œBy partnering with universities, community colleges and trade programs, weā€™re training Mainers for careers in aquaculture, boatbuilding and marine technology.ā€

91±¬ĮĻ was central throughout the summit. Debbie Bouchard, director of the Aquaculture Research Institute, moderated a panel, while researchers Damian Brady and Sarah Barker shared the stage. Breakout sessions also featured 91±¬ĮĻ experts from the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and Maine Sea Grant.

Visit to learn more about its efforts to grow the stateā€™s blue economy.  

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

Drawing on decades of leadership at top research institutions, Roy says he is eager to connect 91±¬ĮĻā€™s strengths in engineering and computing with opportunities that will benefit both students and the stateā€™s economy. For him, the greatest excitement lies in building bridges between research, industry and the classroom.

ā€œIā€™m curious to see how research connects with industry, how it couples with undergraduate programs, and how undergraduates can engage in research,ā€ Roy said. ā€œThatā€™s an exciting part of the future here.ā€

Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, said Royā€™s return marks a pivotal moment for 91±¬ĮĻ.

ā€œWe are thrilled to welcome Dr. Roy back to the 91±¬ĮĻ,ā€ Guidoboni said. ā€œHis extraordinary record of leadership and research at some of the worldā€™s top engineering institutions, combined with his deep ties to 91±¬ĮĻ, make him uniquely positioned to advance our mission. Dr. Royā€™s vision for connecting research, industry and education will strengthen opportunities for our students and faculty while supporting innovation that benefits Maine and beyond.ā€

Royā€™s appointment as MCEC director of research and strategic partnerships coincides with his election as a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the United Kingdomā€™s national academy of engineering and a counterpart to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

ā€œIt is a supreme honor to be named fellow of one of the worldā€™s premiere engineering academies and I am thankful to those colleagues who supported my nomination,ā€ Roy said. ā€œAs a senior academic, I worked diligently to advance the position and impact of engineering at Oxford, and a fellowship in the Royal Academic of Engineering will provide an ideal platform to continue this effort.ā€

After completing his 91±¬ĮĻ bachelorā€™s degree in engineering physics, Roy earned a masterā€™s degree in physics from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate in engineering and applied science from Yale, with a concentration in mechanical engineering. He worked at the National Center for Physical Acoustics at the University of Mississippi, the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington and at Boston University, where he chaired the Department of Mechanical Engineering for six years.

In 2013, Roy became the statutory professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Oxford and a professorial fellow at Oxfordā€™s Harris Manchester College. From 2019-2024, he served as head of Oxfordā€™s Department of Engineering Science, one of the worldā€™s top-ranked engineering departments. He was also a director at First Light Fusion Ltd., an Oxfordshire spinout company focused on nuclear fusion for energy production.

Roy is recognized for research in physical acoustics, underwater acoustics and ultrasonics applied to industrial processes, medical imaging and therapy, with a particular focus on bubble acoustic and acoustic cavitation. He is a fellow and former vice president of the Acoustical Society of America, which awarded him its Helmholtz-Rayleigh Interdisciplinary Silver Medal in 2010. At 91±¬ĮĻ, he has received both the Francis Crowe Distinguished Engineer and Edward T. Bryand Distinguished Engineering awards.

Roy says curiosity has always driven his work. 

ā€œIā€™ve preferred following my nose and doing what interests me,ā€ he said. ā€œThat curiosity has led me to some of the most exciting discoveries and collaborations of my career.ā€

At 91±¬ĮĻ, Royā€™s new role will focus on strengthening the universityā€™s research profile, which he believes is best achieved through collaboration.

ā€œYou need a strategic vision,ā€ he said. ā€œGet the thought leaders in the various departments together and ask: Where do you see us headed 10 years from now? What should we prioritize?ā€

He believes larger-scale initiatives succeed when they are built from the ground up. 

ā€œThese efforts are best when, although the funding comes from the top down, they are designed and nurtured from the grassroots up,ā€ Roy said.

Even as he thinks about strategy, Roy emphasized that people ā€” especially early-career faculty ā€” are his top priority.

ā€œIf you were to ask me what the one thing is I want to do above all else in this job, it would be working with young academics,ā€ he said. ā€œI think providing feedback and encouragement ā€” saying you can do this, youā€™ve got this ā€” is really important.ā€

Roy sees mentorship as a key part of building a healthy academic culture. 

ā€œI think thatā€™s something we should all endeavor to do as senior academics,ā€ he said. ā€œTry to find young people and see what we can do to help them, prioritize them, and support them.ā€

One of the main factors driving prices in pharmaceuticals, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics, is the cost of production and materials. Researchers at the 91±¬ĮĻ Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) have discovered a sustainable method to produce the key ingredient in a broad range of pharmaceuticals, which could help address high prescription drug costs in the U.S.Ģż

Among some of the most expensive medications are those that require a chiral center  ā€• a property in which a molecule cannot be superimposed with its mirror image, like right and left hands. Chirality can direct a drugā€™s biological effects including efficacy, side effects and metabolization. The price of chiral drugs is greatly contributed to the building blocks used during synthesis, which are costly to produce due to complex reaction and purification pathways. 

In a new study recently published in , FBRI researchers explore a new, cost-reducing pathway to produce one of these crucial building blocks, (S)-3-hydroxy-Ī³-butyrolactone (HBL), from glucose at high concentrations and yields. 

According to researchers, HBL is a chiral species used for the synthesis of an array of crucial drugs such as statins, antibiotics and HIV inhibitors. Because glucose can be derived from any lignocellulosic feedstock ā€• such as wood chips, sawdust, tree branches or other woody biomass ā€• this process opens a new door for the sustainable production of HBL. This approach could also potentially be used to produce other types of important consumer products. 

ā€œIf we use other kinds of wood sugars, like xylose that is an unneeded byproduct from making pulp and paper, we expect that we could produce new chemicals and building blocks, like green cleaning products or new renewable, recyclable plastics,ā€ said Thomas Schwartz, associate director of FBRI and associate professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing who was a lead author for the paper.

In addition to its use as a chiral species, HBL has been identified as a highly valuable precursor to a variety of chemicals and plastics by the . Previous attempts to produce HBL sustainably achieved only limited success due to safety issues, ineffectiveness or a lack of cost-efficiency.

ā€œThe competing processes either lead to low yields, use hazardous starting materials or are just generally costly because of the chosen production scheme and low output,ā€ said Schwartz. ā€œThe commercial process is expensive because you have to add the chiral center to the molecule, which doesn’t occur naturally with most petrochemicals.ā€

Not only does this new approach result in significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but the production costs are also reduced by more than 60% compared to current methods that use petroleum-derived feedstocks. The process can also yield other commercially important chemicals, such as glycolic acid (GA), which presents additional economic opportunities. 

The research included work from students in the led by Schwartz and was conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Products Laboratory and the University of Wisconsinā€“Madison. Funding for the project was provided by the USDA, U.S. Forest Service and the National Science Foundation.

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

Answering increasing demand from industry for highly skilled manufacturing workers in Maine and beyond, the 91±¬ĮĻ has opened the B.O.T. Loft, a state-of-the-art robotics and automation training facility that will offer factory-authorized training, a suite of micro-credentials and K-12 programs designed to educate and inspire the next generation.  

The B.O.T Loft name communicates a commitment to ā€œBuild, Optimize and Trainā€ the in-demand workforce required to operate the smart industrial technology that is driving efficiency across the manufacturing sector. Located on the second floor of 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC), the 3,600-square-foot B.O.T. Loft is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from Doosan Robotics, Universal Robots, ABB Robotics and Fanuc. 91±¬ĮĻ celebrated the grand opening of the facility on Aug. 19 with a ceremony featuring industry partners, government officials, public university and other higher education leaders, and a robot-assisted ribbon cutting.

The B.O.T. Loft is funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment/Industrial Capabilities and Modernization Program. In the FY23 federal budget, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, at the request of the 91±¬ĮĻ System (UMS) and with the support of the Maine Congressional Delegation, secured $7 million in Community Project Funding for 91±¬ĮĻ to lead the creation of two Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Training Innovation Centers that will provide talent pipelines for defense, aerospace and other manufacturing employers in the state. The B.O.T. Loft is the first of those facilities, with a second underway at Southern Maine Community College.

“I’m proud to have secured the federal funding that made the B.O.T. Loft a reality,ā€ said Golden. ā€œThis facility is a direct investment in Maine’s workers and our manufacturing future. With top-tier training at Maine’s flagship university, we are creating a direct pipeline for the skilled technicians our defense industry and local businesses desperately need. This is how we strengthen our national security, grow our economy and make Maine an attractive destination for job creators in the years to come.”

The B.O.T. Loft is designed to directly address the growing need for skilled technicians in advanced manufacturing, a key sector of Maineā€™s economy. Through close collaborations with industry, the facility will offer hands-on curricula and credentialing programs to upskill and reskill workers, preparing them for high-demand, high-paying careers in robotics and automation.

ā€œAs manufacturers nationwide modernize, so too must our workforce. The B.O.T. Loft is a testament to the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s commitment to equipping our stateā€™s manufacturers and their employees with knowledge to capitalize on the latest technology,ā€ said 91±¬ĮĻ President and UMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Joan Ferrini-Mundy. ā€œBy collaborating directly with employers, we are creating targeted pathways to meaningful careers and ensuring Maineā€™s manufacturing sector has the highly skilled workforce it needs to thrive and compete globally using the most advanced technologies.ā€

The facility provides a flexible learning space where students and incumbent workers can gain experience with industry-standard advanced manufacturing equipment. The training programs are designed to be accessible, offering stackable credentials that allow participants to build skills over time and advance in their careers.

ā€œBased on recent studies completed by the AMC and partners, having a cohort of trained operators and technicians is essential to help company managers develop the confidence to embrace automation and robotics,ā€ said John Belding, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Center. ā€œThe B.O.T. Loft is the next stage in the AMCā€™s longstanding commitment to help companies trial and de-risk the adoption of these technologies, and to train workers with the skills needed to operate them.ā€

The B.O.T. Loft is poised to become a central hub for workforce development in manufacturing, strengthening the pipeline of skilled technicians and engineers and fostering the economic growth of the entire state.

“At Bath Iron Works, we are building the most technologically advanced ships on the planet, and that requires a workforce with equally advanced skills,ā€ said Thomas Stevens, director of training at Bath Iron Works. ā€œAs we integrate more automation into our production, we face the challenge of finding people who can program, operate and maintain these highly efficient machines. The B.O.T. Loft directly addresses this skills gap by providing hands-on training in the specific robotics and automation competencies we need. This partnership with the 91±¬ĮĻ is exactly what Maine’s industry needs to build a confident, capable, and career-ready workforce for tomorrow.”

For more information on the B.O.T. Loft facility, please visit umaine.edu/amc/botloft.

To stay informed about B.O.T. Loft training opportunities, please complete this form:

Contact: Ashley Forbes ashley.forbes@maine.edu

A junior from Windham, Maine, Dries landed an internship with Orange Bike Brewing Co. through the Innovate for Maine Fellows program. Heā€™s not just learning about the booming non-alcoholic beer industry; heā€™s helping shape it. 

ā€œIā€™m piloting a project with Orange Bike to develop and refine their approach to producing and distributing non-alcoholic beer,ā€ said Dries, a Maine Business School and Honors College student majoring in business information systems and security management. ā€œIā€™m also researching production methods, market trends and the feasibility of launching our product. On the side, Iā€™ve been taking photos for marketing, helping brew beer and planning events!ā€

With a passion for purpose-driven work and a willingness to dive in and figure things out, Dries is proving that small companies can offer big opportunities.

ā€œItā€™s (the internship) allowed me to see what goes into running an innovative and contemporary business. There are a lot of very unique, very successful businesses in Maine that help shape our economy, and thereā€™s a lot of need for them to be able to adapt and grow as values change,ā€ Dries said. ā€œBeing able to be part of one has shown me how these businesses can thrive and embrace the changing Maine economy, which is something I want to be a part of.ā€ 

Read the full story about Driesā€™ experience at Orange Bike on the Maine Business School website.Ģż

Contact: Melanie Brooks, melanie.brooks@maine.edu

Building off a four-year study published in the spring, which compared the effectiveness of two different Atlantic sea scallop farming techniques, 91±¬ĮĻ researchers further analyzed the economic advantages and disadvantages of the same two methods of scallop aquaculture. Lead researcher Damian Brady, professor of marine sciences at 91±¬ĮĻ, and co-author Chris Noren, a postdoctoral researcher, used their results to develop a user-friendly that helps interested parties compare the different costs and possibilities associated with building their own scallop farms. 

ā€œNow new farmers can make educated decisions on what option is going to be most viable for them, taking into account their location, timeframe, budget and all the other pieces that go into scallop farming,ā€ Brady said. ā€œUltimately, our goal is to help Maine grow this industry to its fullest potential and preserve Maineā€™s working waterfronts ā€” an integral part of the stateā€™s culture and history.ā€

Published in the journal , the study looked at two of the most common options for scallop farming: lantern net and ear-hanging. Previously, lantern net methods were thought to be more cost-effective, but this study shows the ways in which the ear-hanging method can be more cost-efficient over a longer period of time. 

Researchers concluded that ear-hanging production was more advantageous if the scallopsā€™ life cycles exceeded three years, and lantern-hanging is slightly more profitable when scallops are harvested under three years. They also found that the most optimal time for harvesting, regardless of farming method, was when scallops reached an age of 3.75-4 years.

The Two Farming Methods

Lantern net aquaculture uses tiered, circular nets that attach to a long line and hang vertically in the water column ā€” an easier and less expensive system to set up compared to the ear-hanging method. Scallops sit in each tier of the lantern net, which can cause overcrowding and issues with food resource accessibility. However, research showed that overtime, the overcrowding can make lantern net farming productive over a four-year cycle. 

Developed from Japanese methods, ear-hanging involves drilling holes into the ā€œear,ā€ or the hinge, of the scallop shells, which are then pinned and hung on vertical lines in the water column. This method allows for individual scallops to have more space and access to resources. While it is more expensive to set up, labor costs significantly drop and overall expenses level out over a four-year period. 

To combat start-up price, Japanese scallop farmers have used a number of different technologies and techniques that could be applicable in Maine. This includes specialized equipment, such as automated drilling and pinning machines, or a multi-partner ownership, in which one partner does the drilling and preparation, while the other does the farming and de-pinning. Cooperative partnerships allow each group to invest and specialize in a fraction of the machinery and equipment. 

Comparing Farming Methods

The study looked at two different scallop metrics over a four-year period: the height of the entire scallop shell in millimeters and the weight of the adductor muscle in grams. Both metrics have applications for the current U.S. market and its potential to expand. 

Generally in the U.S., the adductor muscle is the only part of the scallop that is sold or used. The bigger or heavier it is, the higher the price. The U.S. market for whole scallops, which include other parts of the bivalve along with the adductor muscle, is limited, but methods that increase the size of either part of the scallop have the potential to improve market value. 

Although ear-hanging requires more front-end labor and the equipment is more expensive than the lantern net method, the rate of production is significantly faster over a longer time period. It is also more space efficient, which requires a smaller lease and is less expensive. 

Additionally, the researchers stressed the importance of a working waterfront for doing tasks that do not require being on the water. This allows for less weather-dependent work days and for small farms to grow with less limitations. 

Ear-hanging is not only economically more effective in total labor costs and leases; it also results in ear-hanging scallops growing larger adductor muscles on average, according to the study. Researchers concluded that the long-term benefits of growth size, lease cost and total labor costs make the higher start-up costs of ear-hanging worthwhile for farmers entering the market for longer than three years. 

Contact: Corinne Noufi; corinne.noufi@maine.edu