UMaine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

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UMaine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

An official page of the University of Maine.

Here, over 200 active research projects aim to discover the path to healthier people, environments, businesses, and communities in the state of Maine and across the globe. The college’s faculty, which comprise the largest group of scientists in the state, teach rigorous academic programs and provide ample opportunity for applied learning to prepare students in STEM fields for careers that will define tomorrow.

05/29/2026

A team of scientists, including UMaine Professor of Marine Science Dr. Emmanuel Boss, recently completed a 50-day expedition to Antarctica to study the color of the ocean. Battling rough ocean conditions, they set out to determine the accuracy of satellites in space on the health of marine protected areas.

By measuring how sunlight interacts with chlorophyll in plants and plankton, researchers can better understand ocean health and improve satellite-based monitoring efforts. 🛰

Dr. Boss, who has authored nearly 250 publications and collaborated extensively with NASA, focuses his research on using optical measurements to better understand biophysical interactions in our oceans. Next, he plans to learn more about Ocean Acoustics to gain more information.

Stay tuned for more from UMaine’s School of Marine Sciences! 🌊🐋

05/22/2026

Glaciologist Paul Mayewski shone light on the ancient Maya civilization on the Yucatán Peninsula - not from ruins, but from ice dating back 1,200 years. His research determined that there was a significant drop in ammonium levels around the time many Maya cities were abandoned. That drop points to severe drought conditions and declining vegetation.

The drought was caused by forests being cleared for agriculture to feed growing communities. Fewer trees meant less water evaporating into the atmosphere, and ultimately, less rainfall. While drought may have played a major role, other factors like political unrest, social conflict, and overpopulation are being investigated, reminding us that history is rarely shaped by a single cause.

Through decades of teaching, Dr. Mayewski has taken 300+ students into the field, giving them hands-on experience reading ice cores and even publishing their own research. 🔬

To read more about Dr. Mayewski’s work, check out the article! https://www.ladbible.com/news/science/discovery-why-mayan-civilisation-disappeared-767612-20260223

05/09/2026

Happy Commencement Day to our Earth, Life, and Health Sciences graduates - both undergraduate and graduate! 🎓

We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with you, and can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

The College of Our Hearts, Always. 💙
Go Black Bears!

05/01/2026

At the University of Maine’s College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences, hands-on, interdisciplinary research is the standard. From day one, students can step into the field, collecting data, building skills, and making an impact. Our diverse majors come together to turn collaboration into meaningful research that strengthens communities and supports Maine’s industries. 🌳🔬

04/27/2026

Finals season is approaching - study smarter, not harder! 📚✏️

Join our ELH Peer Mentors for a tour of Fogler Library as they share their favorite study tips and help you find the perfect spot that fits your learning style. Whether you thrive in group spaces or need quiet corners to focus, Fogler has it all.

04/24/2026

Have you ever imagined taking your studies to another country? Study abroad opportunities are available for most majors at UMaine!

🌟Kelsey Kull🌟 opted to take her environmental policy class in beautiful Costa Rica. By stepping outside her comfort zone, she gained unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a new perspective on the world.

Where could your UMaine journey take you? 🌎

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from the Earth, Life, and Health College at the University of Maine! 🌎 Take some time today to get outside and appreciate the beautiful place we get to call home 🌲

04/17/2026

As winter fades, and we head back outside, Maine’s black bears are doing the same! 🐻

Tucked away in a cozy den, black bears spend the cold months in torpor, a state of metabolic rest that’s lighter than true hibernation, and one that’s coming to an end as temperatures rise in spring! 🌱

This winter, UMaine’s Wildlife Ecology seniors headed into the field alongside Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife bear biologists to check in on a collared mom and her yearling cubs, resting safe & sound in their den. After trained biologists sedated the bears, they fitted new collars, which help track reproduction and denning behavior, providing data that shapes wildlife management decisions across the state.

Not a bad way to spend a winter day… if you don’t mind crawling into a bear den 🐾

04/08/2026

What’s your good moooooood food?
Darling says, “dairy!” 🥛

At Witter Farm, learning goes way beyond the classroom. Mrs. Neale’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders "interviewed” 6-month-old calf, Darling, and explored how dairy farms operate, and why they matter. 🐄

From hands-on experiences to community connections, this is what learning looks like.

03/06/2026

Know what ROCKS? The Geology Club at the University of Maine!

🌟Maggie Tucker🌟 shared some of her favorite experiences as a member, including traveling to conferences where she connected with students and professors from universities across the country. She also highlighted the club’s camping trips, where she bonded with classmates who share her passion for geology.

Maggie’s advice? Get out there and start conversations with classmates and professors, you never know what interests you might discover!

Address

5782 Winslow Hall
Orono, ME
04469

Telephone

+12075813206

Website

http://www.elh.umaine.edu/

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