Engage in Impactful Research

As a student in the School of Biological Sciences, you have exciting opportunities to get involved with cutting-edge faculty research. You can contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in the areas of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and sometimes even at the interface between these two primary sub-disciplines of biology. Whether you’re pursuing your bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can join faculty research groups, gain hands-on experience, develop critical thinking skills, and contribute to dissemination of scientific discoveries through presentations and publications.

A student holds up a vial while doing research in a forest
Two students in white coats prepare tubes of liquid in a lab

Why should you do research?

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Research Contributes to Career Success

In the Cellular and Molecular Biology area our graduates have:

  • Been hired as a research assistant at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University
  • Gone on to a Food Microbiology Ph.D. program at Cornell University

In the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology area our graduates have:

  • Been hired as an Environmental Specialist at Power Engineers
  • Gone on to an Education doctoral program at Tufts University and became a college professor
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Research Improves Oral Communication Skills and Provides Networking Opportunities

In the Cellular and Molecular Biology area our students (*) have presented their work with faculty (**) at:

  • Maine Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (Waterville, Maine): “Investigation of Armadillo/ß-catenin mechanisms influencing nociceptive sensitivity in Drosophila" by **Ganter, *Ahmida, *Caterina, *Flanagan, *Jenkins, *Lattanzi, *Nowak, *Turcotte, Moulton”
  • Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition (Providence, Rhode Island): “Microplastics as vectors for bacterial contamination of zebrafish” by *Massoia, *Pesek, Byron, **Burkholder

In the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology area our students (*) have presented their work with faculty (**) at:

  • Collaborative Showcase of the Maine-North Atlantic and Arctic Education Consortium (Portland, Maine): “Impacts of climate change on Թϱ’s forest - Methodology for development and implementation of a long-term monitoring protocol” by *Dancy, *Szetela, **Zogg, Morgan, **Travis
  • Posters on the Hill (Washington D.C.)  “Antimicrobial properties of local macroalgae against human pathogens including MRSA” by *Call, *Roese, **Burkholder, **Röse
  • Society of Wetland Scientists Meeting (Denver, Colorado): “Competitive interactions between native Spartina alterniflora and non-native Phragmites australis depend on nutrient loading and temperature” by *Legault II, **Zogg, **Travis
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Research Improves Writing Skills Through Co-authorship on Scientific Publications

In the Cellular and Molecular Biology area our students (*) have published their work with faculty (**) in:

  • Molecular Pain: Hale, Moultin, *Otis, **Ganter. 2022. Armadillo regulates nociceptive sensitivity in the absence of injury.
  • Journal of Applied Microbiology: *Roese, *Torlone, *Cooper, *Esposito, Deveau, **Röse, **Burkholder. 2023 Pyrogallol impairs staphylococcal biofilm formation via induction of bacterial oxidative stress.

In the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology area our students (*) have published their work with faculty (**) in:

  • Wetland Ecology and Management: *Dowling, **Travis, Morgan, **Zogg.  2023.  Can the marsh migrate?  Factors influencing the growth of Spartina patens under upland conditions. 
  • Ecosphere: *White, Perlut, **Travis, Strong.  2021.  Diverse demographic factors influence apparent juvenile survival in a migratory songbird.

Join a Faculty Research Group

Our faculty is involved in research exploring a wide range of exciting topics — you can explore your passions, apply your classroom knowledge to real-world scientific questions, and prepare for your future career in biology. Contact the professors to learn more.

Cellular and Molecular Biology Groups

Drosophila Neurogenetics

The Drosophila Neurogenetics group, led by Geoff Ganter, Ph.D., identifies targets for future pain medications using genetic, microscopic, and behavior analysis approaches.

Microbiology

The microbiology group, run by Kristin Burkholder, Ph.D., studies the behavior of bacterial pathogens by using cell culture, microbiological, and microscopy techniques.

Molecular Biology

Led by Lei Lei, Ph.D., the molecular biology group studies developmental neurobiology and molecular evolution using molecular and bioinformatic tools.

Molecular Genetics

Jenn Garcia, Ph.D.’s molecular genetics group identifies mechanisms that regulate gene expression in response to stress using molecular genetics and microscopy.

Fruit Flies and Chronic Pain

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology groups

Chemical Ecology

Led by Ursula Röse, Ph.D. the chemical ecology group investigates chemical interactions of plants, insects, and microbes using mass spectrometry and gas chromatography.

Global Change Ecology

The global change ecology group, led by Greg Zogg, Ph.D., studies how human activities impact plants, microbes, and biogeochemical cycles using field and lab techniques.

Herpetology

Jeff Parmelee, Ph.D.’s herpetology group studies amphibian and reptile ecology and monitors populations through fieldwork and citizen science initiatives.

Molecular Ecology

Steve Travis, Ph.D.’s molecular ecology group analyzes individual, population, species, and community-level diversity and relationships using genetic sequencing.

Tracking Rare Amphibian Species

Grants

Funding to support student (*) and faculty (**) research have come from a variety of sources, including the following:

Cellular and Molecular Biology Area Grants

  • Maine Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence: A Functional Analysis of RNaseT2 in Yeast (**Garcia)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Ceftriaxone to Prevent Pneumonia and Inflammation after Cardiac Arrest (PROTECT), a Randomized-controlled Trial and Microbiome Assessment (**Burkholder)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Investigation of Armadillo/ß-catenin Mechanisms Influencing Nociceptive Sensitivity in Drosophila (**Ganter)

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Area Grants

  • Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative: Expanding Monitoring Efforts to Include Plant Genetic, Bacterial, and Fungal Diversity (**Zogg, **Travis)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Effects of Anthropogenic Change on Salt Marsh Microbial Structure and Function (*Simon)
  • National Science Foundation: The Undergraduate Saco River Biodiversity Observatory, TURBO (**Röse)
  • U.S. Geological Survey: Predicting Cattail Hybridization Dynamics in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Upper Midwest (**Travis)
Two students wearing bug net hats measure the side of a tree trunk in a forest
A student in a white lab coat peers into a microscope