UMaine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

Home
United States
Orono, ME
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.

09/01/2026

Welcome back, Earth, Life, and Health Sciences! 🐻💙
Nothing beats seeing new and familiar faces on campus again.

As you settle into the semester, remember you don't have to navigate it alone. Whether you need a study spot, academic guidance, or just a helping hand, the ELH Academic Support Center team is here for you in Deering 115! Stop by and say hi.

08/07/2026

Erick, a recent graduate from the Wildlife Ecology program, proudly identifies as a bird lover. During his time at the University of Maine, that love grew into a true passion, reflected in his dedication to the Birding Club throughout his college career.
Erick also spent a summer interning at Avian Haven, where he helped rehabilitate a variety of bird species, deepening his commitment to wildlife conservation.
He reflects on his May Term experience as one of his best memories, feeling exhausted, but mostly proud as he and his classmates reminisced about the adventures.

His best piece of advice is to always be overprepared rather than underprepared.
Congratulations, Erick! 🎓🐦

07/23/2026

Attention all nurses! 🩺

The University of Maine is launching TWO new doctoral nursing programs, slated to begin in the Fall of 2027: a Ph.D in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

These new opportunities will help nurses to advance their education, lead research, and improve healthcare in Maine and beyond!

UMaine is thrilled to be able to support the next generation of nurse leaders, educators, and researchers to strengthen healthcare across the country. 💙🐻

To read more about the new programs, read the article: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/06/umaine-to-strengthen-healthcare-workforce-access-with-launch-of-new-doctoral-nursing-programs/

07/10/2026

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Robert S. Steneck! Following his retirement from the University of Maine, his election to the National Academy of Sciences is an incredible honor.

In addition to his decades of teaching and mentorship, Dr. Steneck’s research on marine food webs and the relationships among organisms within these ecosystems has advanced our understanding of underwater processes. His contributions to UMaine’s Marine Sciences program have advanced scientific understanding and helped inform marine policy, making this recognition especially well deserved. 🌊🔬

For more information, check out the article! https://umaine.edu/news/2026/04/umaine-marine-scientist-robert-steneck-elected-to-national-academy-of-sciences/

06/26/2026

Takashi recently graduated from the Microbiology program! 🎓

This spring, he presented his project, “Berry Good Science”, on the antioxidant effects in C. elegans at the Student Symposium. This research inspired him to continue to bridge the gap between microbiological research and other disciplines.

His advice? Don't be afraid to reach out to professors to get involved with research if you think it might be something you’re interested in - even if you don't feel qualified! He says that research taught him to be more patient, to think critically, and to find solutions rather than becoming discouraged by setbacks.

Congratulations, Takashi, and best of luck in your future endeavors! 🔬

06/12/2026

Children in Maine are facing limited accessibility to specialized pediatric services. The Brain Injury, Education, and Rehabilitation (BEaR) Lab at UMaine is facing this issue head-on with their most recent project, focusing on pediatric brain injury rehabilitation.

Led by Dr. Jessica Riccardi, the BEaR Lab, in collaboration with UMaine’s Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction (VEMI) Lab, are using virtual reality technology to assess and improve cognitive & communication skills, including attention, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving ✏

By combining innovative technology with compassionate care, the BEaR Lab is helping children succeed at school, at home, and in their communities 💙

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

Address

5782 Winslow Hall
Orono, ME
04469

Telephone

+12075813206

Website

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UMaine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to UMaine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences:

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Orono?