Newsletter Summer / Fall 2021 Edition

RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP BLOG RESEARCH | SPONSORED PROGRAMS | RESEARCH INTEGRITY 2021 VOLUME I SUMMER / FALL EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from APRS ……………………………………….. 2 Research Awards……………………………………………. 4 Student Research ………………………………………….. 10 Faculty Appointments, Publications, Presentations, Books ……………................................................................30 Upcoming Events …………………………………………. 65 Newly Funded Grants…………………………………….... 71 Creative Editor Karen Houseknecht Producer Zeynep Arslan Photo credits on the pages 3,16,36,38,65,67,68,72,73,74 from UNE Histology and Imaging Core Lab and UNE Communications Dept.

It’s autumn in New England and for many of us it is also the “back to school” season. Certainly 2021 is proving to be unique as we continue to adapt to life during the covid-19 pandemic, including back to the office and back to the laboratory transitions. Here at UNE, many of our activities, including onsite research and scholarship, resumed over the course of the summer, thanks to the UNE community’s outstanding support and compliance with our vaccination and indoor masking mandates. Because of this unwavering commitment to public health and safety, we have been able to re-engage with our students, colleagues and our scholarship in new and meaningful ways, despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. I’m delighted to share with you our summer/fall edition of the Office of Research and Scholarship newsletter which celebrates the passion and commitment of our scholarly community. In this edition you will read about our summer undergraduate research program and our first team of INBRE Research Fellows. We share updates on extramural research grant funding and scholarly publications, including several newly published books by UNE faculty. You can also read about how we continue to build and expand collaborations with external partners including Maine Health and the University of Maine, a focus of our UNE Strategic Plan. Finally, I want to thank the faculty and professional staff for their tireless commitment to our students and the UNE mission. I continue to be inspired by their creativity, leadership, and resiliency in the face of the myriad challenges encountered during these difficult times. I encourage each of us to take time to care for ourselves and for each other. It’s never been more important. Thanks for all that you do. Be well, Karen Houseknecht Professor and Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship

UNE AGAIN RANKED NUMBER ONE FOR NIH GRANT FUNDING AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MAINE FOR 2020 A report comparing NIH grant funding among Maine Institutions for 2020 found that UNE is ranked #1 for the 3rd consecutive year from NIH funding among Maine higher ed institutions and #4 overall, behind the Jackson Laboratories, Maine Health and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratories. A complete list of NIH funding for Maine institutions can be found here

SRINIDI MOHAN RECEIVED SECOND PATENT FOR HIS BREAKTHROUGH CANCER DETECTION AND MONITORING METHODS Srinidi Mohan, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, has received a second patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his breakthrough methods and diagnostics for cancer detection and treatment monitoring. Mohan previously received his first U.S. Patent titled “Methods and Diagnostics for Cancer Detection and Treatment Monitoring.” The method uses a marker in the blood to detect the presence of highly aggressive tumors and to help track cancer growth. Mohan found that the marker Nw- hydroxy-L-Arginine (NOHA) was both a sensitive and reliable indicator for estrogen receptor- negative (ER–) tumors, the most aggressive types of breast cancer. Currently, no reliable blood-based marker exists for estrogen-negative breast tumor prognosis and/or disease monitoring. In the second patent, recently featured on NEWS CENTER Maine, Mohan shows NOHA predictive response in ovarian carcinoma based on ER expression status. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. About 230,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, of which around 150,000 women die annually. Symptoms for ovarian cancer are generally less evident (if not absent) at early stages and are often more noticeable as the cancer progresses. The exact causes of ovarian cancer are still unclear, but most of the risk factors are associated with the changes in levels of sex hormones during women's lifetime. The estrogen receptor (ER) mediates the effects of sex hormones on proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. While the association of ER expression status has a well-established prognostic and treatment- predictive role in breast cancer, its role in ovarian cancer is less defined. Thus, identification of prognostic and predictive factors based on ER expression status would be useful to better navigate diagnosis, treatment, and therapy management in ovarian cancer patients. “I am both delighted and humbled with this opportunity to expand the scope of NOHA as a cancer biomarker,” Mohan stated. “I look forward to the opportunity of NOHA biomarker implementation at a clinical setting. I sincerely thank the UNE administration and all my collaborators and advisors on their continued support and contributions to this project. I am also grateful to my UNE Pharm.D. student researchers for their help in the lab with this project.” As principal investigator, Mohan conducted the research on the NOHA biomarker role in ovarian cancer with funding support from the UNE Office of Research and Scholarship and the School of Pharmacy. Further development of this novel technology is being conducted in collaboration with physicians and researchers at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

UNE WAS AWARDED $900,000 OVER THREE YEARS The US Administration for Community Living (ACL) just awarded four community research cooperative agreements to verify the effectiveness of innovative Senior From left Michele Polacsek, PhD, Mary DeSilva, PhD, Thomas Meuser, PhD Nutrition Program practices and programs created during COVID-19. UNE was awarded $900,000 over three years. The Center for Excellence in Public Health (PI, Michele Polacsek, PhD, MHS; Co-I, Mary DeSilva ScD, MS, MSFS) in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (Co-I, Thomas Meuser, PhD) will implement and evaluate an innovative, pandemic-responsive nutrition education program to seniors at Westbrook Housing in Portland that addresses food security, socialization, and perceived health and well-being of residents in low-income senior housing in rural Maine. The project goals include developing a direct education intervention to reinforce messages related to eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, and purchasing healthy foods on a budget. The Administration for Community Living H.R.S.A. GRANT WILL MAKE UNE A REGIONAL HUB OF TELEHALTH EDUCATION The use of telehealth increased exponentially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing millions of patients with critical face-to-face health care services from the safety and comfort of their own homes. But many who live in Northern New England face limited access to health care services, even with the help of digital health technologies. The University of New England has been named a key partner in a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)-funded program to combat such rural health care shortages by supporting and boosting telehealth education and distribution in Northern New England. The Northern New England & New York Telehealth Technology- Enabled Learning Program (NNE-NY TTELP) project, headed by Medical Care Development, Inc. Nan Solomons , PhD (MCD), will establish UNE as a leader of and hub for telehealth education in the state of Maine and associated rural areas. The project aims to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on patients in home and facility based long-term care as well as its impacts on the physical and behavioral health of the region’s rural communities, including effects of emerging virus variants, isolation, and lack of access to behavioral health treatment for residents with substance use disorder. The NNE-NY TTELP will facilitate evidence-based training through Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes) programs as well as collaborative training resources through an open-access, e- learning portal.

The Northern New England and New York regions are known to be some of the “oldest” communities in the region, with high rates of substance use disorder and behavioral health issues. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic Read more … UNE'S GRANT TO BOOST MAINE'S SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER (SANE) WORKFORCE RENEWED FOR THREE MORE YEARS The University of New England’s three-year grant to educate and train nurses to become Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) has been renewed for another three years. In the fall of 2018, UNE received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Health Jennifer Moron, MPH Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to increase the number of nurses in Maine who are competent to respond to survivors across the lifespan who have suffered sexual assault/abuse. Additional money from the grant renewal will build on the work done to enhance recruitment and retention of forensic nurses throughout the state. The Advanced Nursing Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program is a private/public partnership between the University and the statewide Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program at the Office of Child and Family Services within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. UNE was the only institution in New England to receive the award in 2018, and remains the only such program in New England. The grant has strengthened the state’s existing innovative SANE training program by increasing its reach and impact through offering additional courses and through novel approaches to underserved areas. SANE adult, adolescent, and pediatric education and trainings were initially offered through in-person sessions and now through a technologically savvy and seamless hybrid model that includes both in-person and online formats. Since 2019, and despite altered 2020 scheduling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 124 Maine registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have participated in SANE courses and are now pursuing or have already achieved SANE credentialing. Of that total, 103 (83%) are from Maine’s underserved rural areas. The state’s 30 hospitals have served as clinical training sites. Additional successes include increased education and training for nurses to become state- credentialed forensic nurses; an increased number of course offerings; a boost of clinical simulation to teach nurses how to complete forensic exams on patients who are survivors of sexual assault; targeted expansion into rural areas; and exploration into telehealth. Notably, the program began using SANE Telehealth in a structured way where an experienced forensic nurse enters an examination room remotely to assist a less experienced forensic nurse through the medical forensic exam. The patient gets two nurses providing care, and the new forensic nurses receive the support needed and gain confidence and competence in Read more

ELIZABETH DEWOLFE WAS AWARDED AN ACADEMIC RESEARCH GRANT FROM SISTERS IN CRIME Elizabeth DeWolfe, Professor of History and Affiliated Faculty, Women’s & Gender Studies, was awarded an Academic Research Grant from Sisters in Crime. The grant supports research materials related to DeWolfe’s study of 19th- century female detectives. UNE RECEIVES $23,000 PROJECT CANOPY GRANT TO BOLSTER URBAN FORESTRY INITIATIVES READ MORE IN MAINEBIZ READ MORE IN THE COURIER From left: Michael, Duddy, JD, Marcia Moreno-Báez, PhD, Pam Morgan, Ph.D., Thomas Klak, Ph.D The University of New England School of Marine and Environmental Programs has received a substantial grant from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service for its urban forestry enterprises, including the creation of a digital inventory of trees on both its Biddeford and Portland campuses. The $23,000 Project Canopy Assistance Grant, a combination of state and matching funds, will go toward the design, creation, and implementation of a digital campus and street tree inventory based on geographic information systems (GIS) technology. The project’s goals are to collect the tree data necessary for UNE to develop a comprehensive sustainability and management arboricultural plan for its two campuses. Project Canopy Assistance Grants are available to state, county, and municipal governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations for developing and implementing community forestry projects and programs. UNE’s project will be completed in two phases, the first of which will include designing and building out the GIS platform for the inventory and using aerial photographs and other sources to locate campus and street trees and build an initial data set that can be verified and supplemented in the field. The second phase will include conducting inventory in the field as well as collecting data on each of the trees inventoried. Funding from the grant will support training for two student interns on tree identification and proper methods of data collection. “Conducting a state-of-the-art digital tree inventory is considered essential for any university, city, or other organization committed to urban greening,” said Michael Duddy, J.D., M.P.P.M., adjunct assistant teaching professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Read more…

MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TEAM RECEIVES NEW NIH GRANT TO DEVELOP NOVEL THERAPIES FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN Like a modern-day Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, opioids can be a powerful force for good or evil. The drugs can play a valuable role in providing relief from debilitating pain, but they also are highly addictive – often to the point of death. John Streicher, PhD Karen Houseknecht, PhD Brian Bragg, PhD Funded by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, a multi-institute collaborative team of researchers led by John Streicher, PhD, at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center is on a quest to make opioids safer. The team recently kicked off a study, “Development of Hsp90 Isoform-Selective Inhibitors as a Novel Opioid Dose- Reduction Therapy,” to study the biological mechanisms of how opioids influence pain relief and addiction. Successful drug discovery and development efforts rely on interdisciplinary teams such as the one assembled for this five-year project. Streicher’s collaborators include Karen L. Houseknecht, PhD, associate provost for research and scholarship at the University of New England. Houseknecht, a professor of pharmacology in the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine has extensive drug discovery experience both at UNE and in her previous role at Pfizer Global Research and Development. She will lead the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics aspect of the project. Brian Blagg, Director, the Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, Charles Huisking Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame will lead the medicinal chemistry research. When an opioid enters the body, it binds to a protein known as an opioid receptor. The opioid receptor activates other proteins to launch a series of events known as a signaling cascade. At the end of each signaling cascade are physiological changes that could be positive, such as pain relief, or negative. The negative effects of opioids include respiratory depression, which can cause death; reward, which can lead to addiction; and tolerance, which can increase the quantity of drug needed to provide the same amount of pain relief. “Our research is looking at the signaling links between receptor activation and pain relief downstream, and one of the proteins in the middle that we’ve been studying for a number of years is called heat shock protein 90,” said Streicher, an associate professor in the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Pharmacology. “Among the many things that heat shock protein 90 does is regulate how that opioid receptor talks to the downstream changes in your brain, like pain relief.” Earlier findings suggest heat shock protein 90 inhibitors could give doctors the opportunity to implement a dose-reduction strategy for patients. Less opioid drug could be prescribed, but patients would get the same levels of pain relief while experiencing fewer side effects. “The opioid system in your body is really well-positioned to control pain. Once we have a better understanding of how that works, we can translate those findings to make advances in human health, and specifically in my lab, we can do a lot of drug discovery,” Dr. Streicher said. “Our research recognizes that reality and says, ‘OK, how can we make this better?”

The new NIH grant will provide funding to further understand how the opioid receptors are differentially regulated in the spinal cord versus the brain. Preliminary data by the Streicher lab clearly demonstrated a unique dependence upon the Hsp90 molecular chaperones that could be used to segregate pain management from addiction. Towards this objective, the Blagg laboratory has prepared the isoform-selective inhibitors of the molecular chaperones that interact with opioid receptors and produce differential effects in the brain versus the spinal cord. In the proposed studies, the team aims to optimize the chemical drug-like properties of the isoform-selective inhibitors in collaboration with the Houseknecht laboratory and evaluate them in animal models of pain and addiction in collaboration with the Streicher laboratories. Karen Houseknecht is pleased to be continuing her long-term therapeutic discovery collaboration with the Streicher laboratory: “I’m really excited to be part of this drug discovery team focused on identifying and describing novel drug targets to treat pain, and also the innovation of optimizing new chemical molecules for future proof-of-concept testing in humans.” Dr. Blagg adds:” We are looking forward to gaining better insights into addiction and the development of new therapeutics utilizing an experienced team of researchers with the ultimate goal of translating these fundamental discoveries into desperately needed medications.” KAREN HOUSEKNECHT PART OF NIH FUNDED TEAM FOCUSED ON SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM-ASSOCIATED BONE LOSS Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and associate provost for Research and Scholarship at the University of New England, will soon embark on a new project to study how the Katherine Motyl, PhD Karen Houseknecht, PhD Christine Lary, PhD sympathetic nervous system affects bone. Houseknecht will join lead investigator Katherine Motyl, Ph.D., faculty scientist at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI), and fellow co-investigator Christine Lary, Ph.D., MMCRI senior biostatistician and faculty scientist, on the study, which is funded by a $1.8M grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The research project will examine how the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) communicates with osteoclasts (cells that dissolve bone) through cell signaling via beta-adrenergic receptors and how this pathway contributes to age- and sympathetic nervous system- associated bone loss. Houseknecht will study the pharmacology, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetic evaluation of beta-adrenergic ligand effects on bone. This research will also provide a more complete understanding of how commonly prescribed beta- blockers, medications that lower blood pressure, may help to prevent osteoporosis. “I’m so pleased to collaborate on this interdisciplinary team as we seek to elucidate foundational cell signaling mechanisms important in the regulation of bone health and dysregulated in osteoporosis,” said Houseknecht.

COM STUDENT NAMED QUALITY Sajdlowska has brought her enthusiasm for SCHOLAR BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE research and passion for health equity to UNE OF MEDICAL QUALITY COM, where she has served as health disparities director, and later president, of University of New England College of UNE’s chapter of the Student Osteopathic Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) student Medical Association (SOMA). This past year, Joanna Sajdlowska (D.O., ’22) has been Sajdlowska completed a term on the SOMA named a Quality Scholar by the National Board of Trustees, serving as Region I American College of Medical Quality (ACMQ). Trustee, where she oversaw 11 SOMA medical chapters within nine states. “Serving on a national board during a pandemic and through multiple sociopolitical movements was a demanding, yet rewarding, task and one that helped emphasize the strength of student voices on behalf of the osteopathic medical community and our future patients,” she said of the experience. Sajdlowska is one of only two medical students to receive the award and is the only one In her second year at UNE COM, Sajdlowska studying osteopathic medicine. served as the political affairs director for the Maine Student Section of the Maine Medical A native of the Bronx, New York City, Association, where, this past year, she also Sajdlowska completed her bachelor’s degree in completed a term as co-chair. pre-medical sciences at the University of Connecticut, where she also earned her Master Sajdlowska is currently completing of Science in Health Promotion Sciences. her Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship with Northern Light Health. She said her educational Sajdlowska completed 1,700 hours of and life experiences have inspired her to pursue AmeriCorps service through the Connecticut research and to address health inequalities Area Health Education Center, a nonprofit when she matches to a residency program next organization dedicated to improving and year. delivering community outreach initiatives. Applying previously learned lessons, she “My past experiences before and during medical worked as a research assistant at the school, as well as my experience as a first- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center generation American, have allowed me to addressing health disparities among children develop a passion for learning about and with autism. addressing health disparities,” she said. “I hope that the residency program that I match into She said her time between her graduate studies aligns with my desire to continue and starting at UNE COM was formative. interprofessional collaboration, community service, and research and is one that “The four years between completing my emphasizes care for populations that are undergraduate degree and attending UNE COM underserved and medically marginalized.” helped me understand the complexity and connections between academia, research, and In addition to the ACMQ award, Sajdlowska has politics,” she said. been accepted into the Golden Humanism Honor Society and is the recipient of the $5,000 Pulaski Scholarship for Advanced Studies.

COM STUDENT CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL and provide evidence-based cutting-edge INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ELECTIVE treatments to couples with infertility. RESEARCH ROTATION UNE COM STUDENT PUBLISHES STUDY EVALUATING EFFECTIVENESS OF MOBILE APP TO SCREEN FOR DELIRIUM AMONG HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) student Brett Armstrong (D.O., ’22) is a lead author of a new article that examines the effectiveness of Ashley Cronkright (D.O., ’22) has been selected to participate in the highly competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) elective research rotation in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. The rotation will offer Cronkright a unique experience at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, a state-of-the-art research hospital with 200 inpatient beds, a surgical day hospital, and outpatient facilities that support a mobile application to screen for delirium the clinical care required for patients enrolled in among hospitalized patients. human subject investigation protocols. She will learn how to manage a large number of According to the article, “A mobile app for complex patients with a spectrum of delirium screening,” published in May in the reproductive genetic and endocrine pathology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), up to one-third of The rotation also includes weekly clinical hospitalized older adults experience delirium, conferences, preoperative and academic yet over half of cases go unrecognized. didactic conferences, as well as specialty Patients who develop delirium have an program conferences with presentations and increased risk of death, institutionalization, and discussions covering reproductive problems cognitive decline, the researchers wrote. and state-of-the art research relating to Delirium also has significant financial impacts: endocrinology and reproduction. the estimated annual costs of delirium in the Cronkright will learn from faculty from four United States are $164 billion. For these and institutions: The National Institutes of Health, other reasons, the authors argued, it is critical to Uniformed Services University of the Health have efficient and accurate methods for Sciences, Walter Reed National Military Medical screening and identifying the disorienting Center, and Shady Grove Fertility Center. condition. The program’s mission is to train reproductive The research team developed an iPad app that endocrinology and infertility fellows who will facilitated administration of an adaptive two- become physician-scientists, serve as faculty in step protocol for delirium diagnosis and military, government, and academic institutions, assessed its usability among three types of clinicians — doctors, nurses, and certified nurse

assistants (CNAs) — among older patients at two hospitals. The app was used as part of a National Institutes of Health-funded project to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, administration time, and costs of using the two-step protocol and was found to be successful during the study. Clinicians performed 881 delirium assessments using the app for 535 patients. The transmission of data between the app and the selected relational database system, Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), showed no errors. Qualitative data indicated that the users were enthusiastic about using the app, with 82% of users giving positive comments, 18% making suggestions for improvement, and none leaving negative feedback. “Through many other projects on delirium, we understand how important it is to effectively screen for and detect the condition, as it has numerous adverse effects on our patients,” Armstrong said of the study. “Identifying delirium is important to providing effective patient care, and we believe that this app has the potential to allow health care providers in a diverse array of settings to more efficiently and accurately assess patients for this condition and provide prompt treatment.” The researchers also point out that their app, developed on Apple’s iOS operating system, can be easily adapted to other operating systems such as Android, Microsoft Windows, or Linux, which would expand accessibility to additional health care providers. Armstrong said he is grateful for the opportunity to pursue research during his time as a student at UNE. “I am fortunate that I was able to continue contributing to this study and the manuscript once I began medical school at UNE,” Armstrong remarked. “I began working with this team nearly two years before medical school and am grateful for the opportunity and experiences.” UNE COM ALUM NAMED ONE OF RHODE ISLAND'S TOP DOCTORS FOR THE EIGHTH TIME An alum of the University of New England College of Osteopathic named a top physician in the state of Medicine has been Island Monthly. Rhode Island by Rhode Claudia A. Wheeler, D.O. ’04, FAAPMR, a board-certified received the honor for the eighth time, physiatrist, recently list of Rhode Island’s Top Doctors 2021, physicians in 53 specialties. having been included in a which includes 235 To determine the state’s top doctors, Rhode Island Monthly asked Rhode Island licensed M.D.s and D.O.s to vote for doctors they would trust to care for their families and friends in a range of specialties. The magazine narrowed the list to the top 16% of vote-getters who received at least nine votes in each category. Wheeler is the medical director of Adult Outpatient Rehabilitation at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, both in the state capital of Providence. She is an assistant professor and clinician educator in the

Department of Neurosurgery at The Alpert Medical School at Brown University and has expertise in the areas of neurorehabilitation, spasticity management, orthotics and prosthetics, and wheelchairs/seating. “I am honored that my physician peers trust me with the care of their patients, families, and themselves,” said Wheeler, a Rhode Island native. “My goal is to ensure access to high-quality health care for patients with disabilities. Each time that I have been named a Top Doctor, I have been humbled that my passion for caring for patients with disabilities continues to shine through despite the many challenges we face in medicine.” Wheeler was the recipient of the 2004 Sauter Award for Graduate with Distinction, which recognizes the student whom College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty would choose to be their own physician. In her time at UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine, Wheeler served as a pre-doctoral anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) fellow. As part of her fellowship, she carried a caseload of OMM patients, taught anatomy, and learned to lecture. She also was given the opportunity to visit RiverRidge Center in Kennebunk, a facility that provides specialized post- acute brain injury care and stroke rehabilitation. Wheeler said. “I am blessed with the opportunity to partner with my patients as they embark on a journey to regain independence.” “My time at RiverRidge was my first exposure to the team approach of physiatry and the magic of neurorehabilitation, which has shaped my career,” UNE/UMAINE PHD CANDIDATE WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE THOMAS MACIAG AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE Lindsey Fitzsimons, PhD Candidate from the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, is completing her doctoral research in the Tucker Laboratory at the University of New England, where she studies primary cilia, a tiny, sensory cell structure, in the context of embryonic heart development as well as the molecular and cellular disease events leading to the development of congenital heart defects. Ms. Fitzsimons also holds a teaching fellowship with the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she works as an Instructor for OCS-I in the Gross Anatomy Lab. Ms. Fitzsimons delivered a scientific talk detailing this project at the 2021 Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat, a local, collaborative research symposium combining clinical and basic science research and made possible by Maine Medical Center, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, and the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network. Ms. Fitzsimons and second-year UNE COM student Delanie Kneeland worked under the guidance of Dr. Tucker to characterize the presence and potential function of primary cilia in developing heart muscle cells.

This project also included a unique clinical/translational aspect that included an analysis of primary cilia of human heart samples, which were obtained (in collaboration with the Maine Medical Center Biobank) from pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) with and without damage to the ventricular heart muscle. When asked about the application of this research, Dr. Tucker responded: “The ability to generate data both in a mouse model as well as with human tissue from pediatric patients holds particular promise for the translatability of the findings and may give us a new approach to treating some of the congenital defects found in newborn hearts. “ Ms. Fitzsimons also commented further on the innovation of the project: “The exciting thing about this research is that it is still quite controversial whether the cells in question (heart muscle cells) even have primary cilia. Because of this, many researchers doubt and therefore disregard the possibility that the primary cilium might play a critical role in the development and organization of the myocardial tissue. Ultimately, the more we understand about how this tissue develops and organizes, the more information we have to use and apply in the context of medical/therapeutic interventions for CHD as well as in the field of regenerative medicine.” UNE/UMAINE PH.D. CANDIDATE IS ONE OF THE AWARDEES FOR THE BEST V-NERIC 2021 LIGHTNING TALK PRESENTATIONS FOR HER RESEARCH PROJECT “THE ROLE OF CHOLINERGIC INTERNEURONS IN CHRONIC PAIN-INDUCED IMPAIRMENTS TO COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY” Megan Tomasch, PhD Candidate from the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, is completing her doctoral research in the Straub Laboratory at the University of New England, where she studying chronic pain. SWETHA PALANIAPPAN, STUDENT VOLUNTEER RESEARCHER FROM CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL, IS CO-AUTHOR OF PAPER PUBLISHED IN EXPOSURE AND HEALTH WITH UNE’S MARX SADACHARAN (CAS) AND BEAU ROSTAMA (COM) “Polystyrene and Polyethylene Microplastics Decrease Cell Viability and Dysregulate Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers of MDCK and L929 Cells In Vitro” about experiments with mammalian cells and their reaction to microplastics (which are a big source of pollution in our bodies and environment. doi: 10.1007/s12403-021-00419-3 Exposure and Health a Springer-Nature journal (impact factor ~11 in 2021).

UNE’S INBRE RESEARCH FELLOWS SELECTED TO PRESENT THEIR WORK AT THE 2021 VIRTUAL NORTH EAST REGIONAL IDEA CONFERENCE (V-NERIC) UNE is proud to host two INBRE Research Fellows this summer. Alsu Shagieva is a student at College of the Atlantic and is working in Dr. Kerry Tucker’s lab (COM). Will Sampson is a recent graduate of U Maine Farmington and is working in Dr. Karen Houseknecht’s lab (COM). Both students were selected to give a “lightening talk” at the v-NERIC meeting. Alsu’s presentation is entitled: Loss of primary cilia in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus results in loss of functional excitatory synapses. The title of Will’s talk is: Characterizing atypical antipsychotic drug exposure across a dose range and impacts on inflammatory response in zebrafish embryos. KATHARINA ROESE ’21 WAS AWARDED THE MTI INNOVATION PRIZE FOR HER RESEARCH PROJECT, CONDUCTED UNDER MENTORSHIP OF DR. KRISTIN BURKHOLDER (SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE), “PYROGALLOL IMPAIRS BACTERIAL BIOFILM FORMATION BY INDUCING MICROBIAL OXIDATIVE STRESS” This year, the MTI Innovation Award was awarded to one outstanding poster whose research includes uniquely designed methods or protocols or development of a product with clinical or commercial applications DANIELLE JEWELL, ’23 (NURSING) WILL PRESENT HER SUMMER RESEARCH AT PRISM 9th ANNUAL MEETING “PLURALISTIC IGNORANCE IN CONCUSSION REPORTING AMONG STUDENT- ATHLETES Danielle, Dani for short, Jewell, UNE Class of 2023 Nursing Program, was one of summer research fellows with Dr. Paul Berkener in Maine Concussion Management Initiative. The Maine Concussion Management Initiative (MCMI) is a pioneer in concussion research and education outreach. It launched its program in 2009 with a mission to increase awareness about concussions among athletes, coaches, parents, and school administrators. This project has been implemented in more than 100 Maine high schools and the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

FUNDING FROM KAHN FAMILY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STUDENT SUMMER RESEARCH The Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences conducting research is between their first and is supporting the research of five undergraduate second year of study. During this time, medical students and eight medical students this students work side-by-side with undergraduates summer through the Kahn Foundation Student in the laboratory. While learning together, the Research Fellowship. medical students also provide additional mentorship to the undergraduate students, many of whom would like to one day become physicians. Faculty work closely with the students, providing training in research techniques and methods, and, perhaps even more importantly, provide guidance and mentorship. The fellowship pays students a stipend, as well The undergraduate award recipients this as pays for their housing and supplies. It will summer are Francesca Asmus (Neuroscience, also fund the work of faculty and the costs '22), Tyler Vesey (Medical Biology, ’23), Jacob associated with sending the students to a Hickey (Biological Sciences and Health, scientific conference to present their research. Wellness, and Occupational Studies, ’21) Skylar McComas (Neuroscience, '22), and Peter K. With the growth in neuroscience research at Neufeld (Neuroscience, '22). UNE, there has been an increase in the number of opportunities for undergraduate and medical The graduate award recipients are Nora student to conduct research during the summer. Connors (D.O. ’24), A.J. Graham (D.O. ’24), This has led to an increase in the need for funds Paige Ahlholm (D.O. ’24), Aishwarya Ayyappan to support students during these months and to (D.O. ’24), Kimberly Drago (D.O. ’2 4), Siobhan assist with travel expenses for scientific Fennell (D.O. ’24), Daniel Gehan (D.O. ’24), and Maritza Nary (D.O. ’24). meetings during the year. Undergraduate students typically begin their research experience in their sophomore year, with the goal of conducting independent research and presenting their results at local and national conferences by their senior year. The opportunity for students to remain at UNE over the summer to focus on their research projects is critical to ensuring that they are able to attain The Kahn family’s involvement with UNE started this goal. when the family set up a program to bring speakers to the Biddeford Campus in the early Research experience for medical students is 2000’s, primarily to discuss medical topics and also particularly important as students compete research. for residency programs. The optimal time for

MULTI-STUDENT STUDY ASSESSES HEALTH OF MUSSELS IN CASCO BAY A team of University of New England researchers — including alumni, undergraduate students, and faculty — have contributed to a new research paper published in the Journal of Shellfish Research assessing the health Adam St. Gelais and Carrie Byron of the species Mytilus edulis, or the blue mussel, in response to Roxanna Smolowitz, D.V.M., according to the researchers is physiological or environmental assistant professor of biology a probable indicator of at Roger Williams University, physiological or environmental stressors. assisted with the research. stress from unfavorable The paper, “A spawning conditions, including Histopathological– The group’s study analyzed the human-induced changes like histology and lipid fatty acid Biochemical Health composition to assess the climate change and ocean gametogenesis (development Assessment of Blue Mussel of reproductive cells), energy warming. investment, and pathology of Mytilus edulis,” features lead In addition, the presence of a author Connor Jones, M.S. ’19 potentially damaging digenetic trematode, Proctoeces (Marine Sciences), graduate maculate, was student Aubrey Jane, B.S. ’20 documented using (M.S. Marine Sciences, ’22), and recent graduate Elena histology, marking the Shippey, B.S. ’21 (Marine northernmost detection of Sciences). The paper builds off the species in the of work done by alumni Katie Northwest Atlantic and a Parker, B.S. ’18 (Marine likely result of climate- Sciences) and Michele driven range expansion. Condon, B.S. ’19 (Marine “These trends may signal a challenging future for blue Sciences and Environmental Michele Condon and Katie Parker mussels in the Gulf of Science), who are also listed as authors. farmed mussels collected twice Maine,” the researchers Faculty co-authors include monthly for three years in wrote. “Forward-looking farm Carrie J. Byron, Ph.D., Maine’s Casco Bay. The study mitigation practices informed associate professor in the found there is possible by these results should be School of Marine and interannual variability of energy developed to ensure future Environmental Programs investment in reproduction and sustainability of this industry.” that low levels of common within the College of Arts and pathogens, parasites, and The research was funded by Sciences; Barry Costa-Pierce, cellular abnormalities were grants and donations from the Ph.D., Henry L. & Grace found within the sample. UNE College of Arts and Doherty Professor of Ocean Sciences, UNE School of Food Systems; and Adam T. The survey did, however, St. Gelais, M.S., assistant reveal high levels of oocyte Marine and Environmental Programs, UNE Office of teaching professor in the School of Marine and atresia (the breakdown of Research and Scholarship, Environmental Programs. ovarian follicles), which U.S. Department Read more…

PSYCHOLOGY, improve education and serve These results hold particular NEUROSCIENCE STUDENTS the public good. importance for education as PRESENT AT they provide evidence that EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH The trio’s research digital texts may be hurting CONFERENCE presentation, “Could adopting students, particularly those e-textbooks widen the who are less-skilled readers. Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, education gap? The effects of Ph.D., associate professor and reading skill on comprehending “I was excited to be sharing our assistant academic director in e-texts,” investigated whether research with the educational the School of Social and widespread adoption of e- community,” said Martin. “As Behavioral Sciences, and textbooks may widen the use of digital texts increases in undergraduate research educational gap between re schools and other learning assistants Nicole Martin aders of different skill levels. environments, our studies are becoming increasingly more important in helping us to understand how this switch is impacting our students cognitively.” Sahouria, for whom this was a first-time round table experience, said participating in the conference was beneficial as an undergraduate student. “Sitting down with a designated handful of researchers and taking some deeper dives into their projects From left: Aubrey Sahouria, Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, Ph.D., and Nicole Martin was a tremendous (Psychology, ’21) and Aubrey experience,” Sahouria said. Sahouria (Neuroscience, ’22) Specifically, the three “It was amazing to be able to recently presented their investigated if individuals participate in something this and learn exciting as an undergraduate.” research on reading understand comprehension and the use of information differently from e- e-textbooks at the virtual readers versus paper books The research team also Educational depending on if they are thanked the School of Social American Research Association (AERA) higher- or lower-skilled and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Arts and conference on April 8. readers. Sciences for funding their A national research society, the The study found that, while attendance at the conference. AERA is among the most highly readers of all skill levels are Learn more about the Reading regarded venues for presenting able to utilize e-readers for Comprehension and Cognition research related to educational leisurely reading, reading on e- Lab at: sciences. The organization’s readers may be less efficient https://sites.une.edu/rcclab/ mission is to advance than reading on paper, knowledge about education, because it either takes more READING COMPREHENSION encourage scholarly inquiry time to read, or comprehension AND COGNITION LAB related to education, and may suffer. promote the use of research to

PHARMACY FACULTY MEMBER AND ’22), and Stephanie Hill (Pharm.D., ’22). Read STUDENT RESEARCHERS PRESENT AT more… WORLD MICROBE FORUM PHARMACY DEAN’S SUMMER RESEARCH A research abstract authored by George P. FELLOWS POSTER PRESENTATION WAS Allen, Pharm.D., associate professor and chair ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 , 2021 of the Department of Pharmacy Practice within the University of New England School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with four Pharmacy students, was recently accepted to the World Microbe Forum conference. The inaugural conference, held virtually in June, was a collaboration between the American Society for Microbiology, Federation of European Microbiological Societies, and several other entities. More than 5,000 people attended at the virtual conference, which focused on such topics as Summer 2021: Victoria Mitchell (Mentored by Dr. Allen) “In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial new infectious pathogens, antimicrobial resistance selection in Salmonella enterica resistance, the role of microbes in climate serovar Typhi (Salmonella Typhi)”; Josh Carver change, synthetic and applied microbiology, (mentored by Dr. Springer) “Assessing and political advocacy related to microbiology Community-Dwelling Older Mainers Attitudes and antimicrobials. Toward Deprescribing’; Spencer Canham (mentored by Dr. Sutton) ‘Effects of plas3c The UNE group’s research focused on the nanopar3cles on the inflamed intes3nal cell increasing antimicrobial resistance to first-line model’; therapies for the bacterium Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei), one of many species of Shigella known Summer 2020: Cassidy Grass (mentored by Dr. to cause the intestinal tract infection shigellosis. Nichols) “Infection rates among pediatric Symptoms of shigellosis include watery or patients on antipsychotic medications: An bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. analysis of claims data” Most people recover on their own; however, the infection can become serious in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. In fact, according to a 2019 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, drug- resistant Shigella species were listed as one of 11 microbes posing a “serious” threat to human health, with an estimated 77,000 drug- resistant infections per year. The abstract, “In Vitro Evaluation of Resistance Selection in Shigella sonnei by Ceftriaxone, Ertapenem, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Moxifloxacin,” was written by Allen in collaboration with students Lilia Brooks (Pharm.D., ’23), Kristina Deao (Pharm.D., ’22), Katalin Gosling (Pharm.D.,

UNE'S FIRST INBRE FELLOWS COMPLETE SUMMER RESEARCH The University of New using zebrafish embryos as a England played host to two representative species. student Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Sampson divided the embryos into Research Excellence two groups: those that received (INBRE) summer research varying doses of antipsychotic fellows this summer, a first drugs and those that did not. Their for the University since hypothesis, Sampson said, is that joining the statewide those given the medications will network last year. have altered immune function. Sampson then worked with The Maine INBRE is a Deborah Barlow, B.S., analytical collaborative network of chemist in the Houseknecht Lab, state educational and to analyze the fish for drug research institutions that exposure and inflammatory strives to strengthen Alsu (left) and Will biomarkers. Maine’s capacity to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research. UNE The team already saw some preliminary results became the 14th member of the statewide within a short period of time. research network on May 1, 2020. Using mass spectrometry, the team found UNE welcomed William Sampson, a recent that administering drugs to the embryos in the graduate of the University of Maine at water resulted in dose-dependent levels of drug Farmington, and student Alsu Shagieva of in the fish, supporting the hypothesis that College of the Atlantic for the summer to environmental exposure to these drugs could conduct hands-on and cutting-edge biomedical research. UNE also hosted a student from Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), Isak Silva, who conducted his research at UNE with Maine INBRE funding. “The INBRE’s goal is to gro w Maine’s biosciences workforce and to educate students in those areas, something at From left: Karen Houseknecht, PhD,, Will Sampson, Debra Barlow which UNE excels,” said Karen have potential effects on embryo development. Houseknecht, Ph.D., associate provost Work is ongoing in the Houseknecht Laboratory for Research and Scholarship. “It’s exciting to quantify inflammatory biomarkers in the that we have the opportunity to get some of the zebrafish using mass spectrometry. best students in Maine to come to UNE to complete a research experience.” “There are very few opportunities in the state of Over the summer months, Sampson joined Maine for a student to learn how to use mass the Houseknecht Laboratory, which is spectrometry, which is incredibly valuable,” said focused on studying the side effects of Houseknecht. “So, by the end of this really psychiatric medications such as antipsychotic short, intensive experiment time, we're going to know the effect of these low-level drug drugs. Houseknecht mentored Sampson on a exposures on these immune and inflammatory project examining the effects of antipsychotic markers of the zebrafish — all in one summer.” medications on immune system development

Shagieva, a sophomore ecology student at results in a loss of functional excitatory College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, spent her synapses.” The abstract was also accepted for summer working in the lab of Kerry Tucker, the 2021 North East Regional IDeA Conference, Ph.D., associate professor at the College of which was hosted virtually this year by the Osteopathic Rhode Island INBRE. Her results will be Medicine at incorporated into a research article under UNE. construction by Tucker. There, she “I’m very happy to have done the INBRE picked up a fellowship,” Shagieva said. “I’ve mainly long-running shadowed on other projects or in internships, so project in the it was great to learn how to use the equipment Tucker Lab at UNE and be able to do my own project.” involving the “It’s a really wonderful opportunity to bring investigation of people from anywhere here to UNE, and I look a mutant Kerry Tucker, PhD forward to engaging with INBRE students again mouse line engineered to pecifically remove an in the future,” Tucker remarked. important subcellular compartment from the neurons of the brain, a compartment called the The summer’s final INBRE study involves the primary cilium. The primary cilium is known to relationship between neonatal pain and orchestrate many crucial roles during psychological disorders later in life, including development, but it also has functions in anxiety, depression, and addiction. Michael postnatal life. She analyzed the structure of the Burman, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the affected neurons using an old technique School of Social and called a Golgi stain. There, she Behavioral Programs, uncovered a subtle but important with the assistance of difference in the spine density of the Isak Silva, the SMCC dendrites of the excitatory neurons of the student, is examining the CA1 region of the hippocampus. relationship between the expression of the Shagieva also spent time in the lab of neuropeptide Christoph Straub, Ph.D., assistant corticotropin-releasing professor of biomedical sciences, factor (CRF) within the conducting imaging experiments with amygdala — the brain Golgi stains of brain slices that were structure charged with prepared from mutant and control Isak Silva processing fear — and animals. She utilized a sophisticated later life psychological neuroscience technique called “patch- health. clamping,” a process in which individual neurons are pricked with a slender glass pipette The study relates to Burman’s previous work in the CA1 region of acutely prepared that may explain why babies that spend time hippocampal slice cultures, and their electrical in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as activity is measured. She uncovered preliminary infants often develop anxiety disorders later evidence hinting at a difference between the in life. normal and mutant neurons, but more results are needed to confirm this result. Additionally, Burman and Silva are examining the effects of inhibiting CRF expression, which Shagieva went on to submit and present an may reduce anxiety — and they think they’ve abstract to the 2021 MDI Biological Laboratory found the way. Student Symposium, entitled “Loss of primary cilia in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus

Burman and Silva are exploring the use of pandemic,” Houseknecht remarked. “I’m DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively delighted and hopeful about welcoming more activated by designer drugs) to inhibit CRF in INBRE fellows in the future as well as growing transgenic rats. More simply, the research team our scholarly opportunities for UNE students.” is exposing rats that have experienced neonatal pain to a biomedically engineered, or designer, WITH AN EYE FOR THE SMALL STUFF, receptor to silence the cells exposed to CRF TESSA ROCK ’22 FINDS PASSION FOR with the goal of relieving symptoms of pain and PHYTOPLANKTON anxiety. The team hopes The wet sands that, if they can and waters in and prove their around Biddeford DREADD inhibits Pool, the CRF and anxiety, sprawling tidal they can basin where the eventually apply Saco River meets their research to the sea, are human subjects. absolutely “This is a new teeming with Michael Burman, PhD hypothesis. wildlife. Small, but mighty crabs crawl along the Nobody’s done it craggy coast; tiny mollusks cling to rocky before, and these things are really cutting outcrops; and several species of worms and edge,” said Burman. “Down the road, we can small shrimp, going mostly unnoticed, slink see whether these cells seem to be affected in underneath the tides. humans and help guide us toward possible pharmaceutical treatments.” A number of small fish — sticklebacks, killifish, and mummichogs among them — circulate in Silva, who is currently studying biotechnology, nearby creeks, and migratory birds stop by on said working on this novel research was an the way to their final destinations. experience he will never forget. It’s well understood that Biddeford Pool is a “I feel incredibly honored,” he said. haven of biodiversity that can be seen with the naked eye. Far less understood, however, is The three research projects, impressive as they that the Pool is home to a variety and are, represent only a microcosm of the research abundance of microorganisms like that took place on UNE’s campuses over the phytoplankton, the microscopic plants that feed summer months, Houseknecht said. on sunlight and form the base of the aquatic food chain. More than 50 students conducted research through the University’s Summer But one University of New England student is Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) working to change that. program, exploring topics from phytoplankton identification to novel methods for saving Tessa Rock (Marine Sciences, ’22) is sharks from fishing nets, while others dove into conducting a phytoplankton identification research in the neurosciences with funding from project in Biddeford Pool, just a stone’s throw the Kahn Foundation Student Research from the University’s seaside campus. Fellowship. The project, funded by the Summer “It took a village to ensure that we could provide Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) in-person summer research opportunities for program at UNE and the Maine Sea our students during this second summer of the Grant, focuses on the tidal stages in Biddeford

Pool and if the tidal stages at two distinct lot of focus on macro-organisms, but locations affect the abundance of phytoplankton microorganisms are the base of the food chain there. and are very important. If we can identify potentially toxic phytoplankton that the shellfish Working with her are ingesting, we can find ways to mitigate the advisor, Stephan side effects.” Zeeman, Ph.D., professor of marine Examples of toxic phytoplankton include Pseudo-nitzschia, which harbors a sciences in the School of marine biotoxin called domoic acid. In Marine and mammals, the compound acts as a neurotoxin Environmental and can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning, Programs, Rock symptoms of which include gastrointestinal collects distress, short-term memory loss, brain phytoplankton from two estuary sites in damage, and even death in severe cases. Biddeford Pool as the tides both flood in and recede back out, or ebb. She then analyzes Blooms of toxic phytoplankton have been them using a FlowCam, a computerized known to disrupt valuable fishing industries, microscope. including in Biddeford Pool in recent years. The device captures images of the While phytoplankton blooms are naturally phytoplankton along with numerical data that occurring, and not all of them are bad, such toxic Rock can use for statistical analysis. It operates blooms — sometimes called “red tides” —can through a combination of traditional light greatly impact the livelihoods of Maine’s microscopy and flow cytometry, the process fisherman and potentially endanger the public. through which water is pulled through a system of tubes, to capture images of anything in a But understanding when, and how, such toxic water sample. phytoplankton enter the Pool can help scientists anticipate dangerous blooms. The research has implications for understanding the broader ecosystem function “Blooms happen, but we need to know when within Biddeford Pool. Though Rock believes they’re going to happen, for how long, and just the tides play a factor, scientists are still unsure how toxic they will be,” Rock said. “For example, of what affects the abundance of phytoplankton if I see an abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia, I can in Biddeford Pool. That, Rock said, is important alert the industry, and we can avoid a to understand in order to preserve the health dangerous situation. and safety of the environment, its wild species, and its people. “By bringing together photographs, statistical analysis, and broader implications, I am able to Because phytoplankton are food for many show others how it is essential to care about the species, including bivalve shellfish like mussels microscopic beings that live in our backyard,” and clams, toxins from certain species of she continued. phytoplankton can accumulate in their tissues. Rock said she did not expect to find such a This, in turn, can make the shellfish harmful to passion for phytoplankton research, but one the people who consume them. could say she has found her niche. She is currently drafting a manuscript detailing her “We are trying to figure out the dynamics of research in hopes of having it published. Read what's going on with the microorganisms in more… Biddeford Pool,” explained Rock, a New London, Connecticut, native. “There is often a

MCKAYLA ARSENAULT ’22 JOINS UNE collaborate at a regional, national, and global NORTH AS GIS AND COMMUNICATIONS scale,” Arsenault said. “Collaboration is a key INTERN component of UNE North as knowledge, ideas, and ambitions are shared between countries in UNE North: The Institute for North Atlantic the North Atlantic. I am ecstatic to work with Studies at the University of New England has UNE North to contribute to the efforts against welcomed McKayla Arsenault (Environmental climate change by telling their story of Studies, ’22) as the institute’s first student international cooperation.” intern. Additionally, Arsenault will UNE North connects researchers, support UNE North’s educators, policymakers, and industry leadership of leaders from across Maine and the the University of the North Atlantic region to implement Arctic Thematic Network collaborative approaches to building on Bioregional Planning for resilient communities, healthy Resilient Rural environments, and thriving Communities by staffing economies. The institute’s work is meetings of international grounded in the United Nations stakeholders. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Arsenault will present her map to a joint meeting of UNE North’s Advisory Arsenault will assist the institute in its Council, composed of government and communications efforts, including the use of business representatives from Maine, and the geographic information systems (GIS) to help Affiliate Team, an interdisciplinary advisory tell the UNE North story. group of UNE faculty and students. UNE faculty member Chris Brehme, Ph.D., who joined UNE In addition to her major, Arsenault is tackling this fall and teaches GIS in the School of four minors in GIS, Climate Change Marine and Environmental Programs, will Studies, Political Science, and Biological mentor McKayla throughout the process. Sciences. Her GIS field experience includes use of ArcGIS StoryMaps and WebApps, and “It is wonderful to have McKayla on the UNE she has received a MOOC cartography North team, and she is already bringing so certification through ArcGIS parent company, much creativity to the project,” said UNE ESRI. North Director Holly Parker, Ph.D. “A key goal for UNE North is to increase UNE student Arsenault’s focus will be to create an ArcGIS engagement with our work supporting interactive map highlighting all of UNE North’s sustainable development here in Maine and partnerships and projects as a communications throughout the region. We hope McKayla is the tool. The map will describe where UNE North first of many awesome student interns to come.” partners are, what projects the institute is engaged in, and their impacts on local and regional sustainable development. UNE North partners with people and institutions in the U.S. and across the globe, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Russia. “With climate change being a defining issue of this century, it is more important than ever to

UNE UNDERGRADUATE STUDYING NOVEL working and out in the field and helping these APPROACH TO PROTECT SHARKS sharks and fishermen.” Sharks get a bad rap, but they are vital to ocean The approach could help save vulnerable shark ecosystems. populations, which Brodbeck said are often victims of over-exploitation. Sharks grow slowly, As predators at the top of the food chain, sharks she said, meaning that they are often pulled maintain the populations of species below them, from the sea faster than they can reproduce. and they keep competitors in check to ensure “In the time that it's taking the sharks to reach species diversity. So, when sharks get caught in maturity, they're getting taken out of their fishing lines or bite onto long-line fishing bait, as populations,” Brodbeck exclaimed. “The overall they often do, it not only has repercussions for population is getting younger and younger, and fishermen, but it can also throw off the balance they're just not able to produce enough young of the food chain. to bounce back from what's being taken out of their population.” One University of New England student is trying to find a solution to that issue. Bethany The advanced method will also be beneficial to Brodbeck (Marine Sciences, ’22) is studying fishermen, for whom the sharks can be the use of novel technology to reduce shark dangerous and who also lose out on their target bycatch, both to protect fishermen and preserve catch when sharks become attached to their shark populations. lines. Brodbeck is currently “When sharks bite onto lines that conducting a bycatch are meant for tuna, for example, it takes away the opportunity for reduction experiment in fishermen to catch their target UNE’s Marine species and damages fishing Science Center using equipment,” Brodbeck said. “It’s spiny dogfish — a small also dangerous for fishermen to species of shark — as a handle these animals.” representative species. The research includes But Brodbeck is more than using small devices, comfortable handling the animals, known as electronic often spending six hours or more bycatch reduction devices on research vessels collecting (BRDs), which emit Bethany Brodbeck spiny dogfish for her study. Hailing electrical signals that from rural Pennsylvania, where target the sharks’ electro-sensory systems to opportunities for marine research are limited, deter them from bait. The study aims to Brodbeck said the research experience has determine if the devices can be placed on long been invaluable to her academic and fishing lines to ward off sharks and prevent them professional careers. from becoming mixed up in the fishing haul. “There’s no way of knowing what you want to do “The devices are still in their prototype stages, in marine science without getting hands-on but we know that they work on multiple species,” experience,” she said. “The fact that UNE allows said Brodbeck, who explained that the devices students to do hands-on research, even as were developed in partnership with the Virginia freshmen, is absolutely incredible.” Institute of Marine Science and are being Brodbeck’s research is supported by the explored with support from UNE and other Summer Undergraduate Research Experience institutions on the East Coast. “It’s a multi- (SURE) program at UNE, Read more… institutional event to try to get these devices

UNE ANNOUNCES 2020-2021 MAINE IDEAS CHALLENGE WINNERS Winners have been announced for the University of New England’s 2020-2021 Maine Ideas Challenge. Formerly known as the Student Innovation Challenge, the Maine Ideas Challenge provides students with the opportunity to propose transformative solutions to real-world problems. Innovative solutions can come from any field at any scale, from new business ideas that transform markets to social innovations that change lives. The idea-stage competition brings student innovation together with UNE’s strengths in life, health, and social sciences. This year’s challenge brought together students from 12 academic disciplines across the University. Grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Maine Ideas Challenge has three areas of focus: Healthy Environments, Thriving Economies, and Resilient Communities. Resiliency was embodied by all participating students, said Justine Bassett, M.S., founding director of the P.D. Merrill Makerspace at UNE, which hosted the Maine Ideas Challenge. Justine Bassett “We had no idea whether students would want to participate in an innovation challenge during the pandemic, but the students showed up, and all the teams persevered,” said Bassett. “What is really remarkable to me is the diversity of innovative ideas. From athletics to education to marine science and health, the challenge winners were an impressive group and represent the best UNE has to offer.” 1ST PRIZE: READY SET RETURN Morgan Dube (M.S.P.A., ’22) Augustus Mendoza (Business, ’21) Ready Set Return is a health care app to aid in the return-to-play Morgan Dube process for those who have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and have undergone surgery. The app will allow health care providers to utilize current evidence-based criteria to inform return-to-play decisions and implement best practices. The immediate impact is targeted at overall improvement of patient care and increased access to quality health care. 2ND PRIZE: INNOVISION HOCKEY GOALIE TRAINING Patrick Schena (Business, ’21) Jared Christy (Business, ’23) Jenna Pych (Business, ’22) The Goalie Training project is developing a hockey goaltending training accessory that is designed to improve visual attachment and tracking quality when the puck is shot at the goaltender. The Goalie Training team is using camera-based technology to Read more…

THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES HOSTS 17 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THE 2021 SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program affords CAS undergraduates the opportunity to engage in a high-impact undergraduate research experience with a faculty member for up to 12 weeks during the summer. Most students live on campus and carry out their lab, archival, or field work side-by-side with their faculty and fellow student researchers. Amy Keirstead This summer, we were pleased to host 17 student researchers in majors ranging from Marine Sciences to Biochemistry and Applied Social and Cultural Studies. Funding was provided by the CAS Dean’s Office, the Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC), the Marine Science Center (MSC), and a special gift from the Saint Francis College Class of ’69. “Over the summer, our students worked closely with dedicated faculty to build on the knowledge they have acquired through their coursework, to explore advanced realms of understanding, and to prepare for continued study in their fields. Students from disciplines ranging from chemistry and marine science to applied social and cultural studies and environmental science have spent their summer investigating a diverse array of research questions, including: • Are microplastics vectors for pathogen contamination of edible seaweed? • How are poverty rates, race, and population density related to prevalence and mortality rates of COVID-19 within Maine’s counties? • What factors contribute to the increased warming of the Gulf of Maine? • What is the neurological basis for the relationship between neonatal care and anxiety later in life? These projects are the basis for future scholarly work in the field of research through articles, presentations, manuscripts, and more. Please join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and creativity of our students and learning more about their fascinating projects.” Amy Keirstead, Ph.D. Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Chemistry College of Arts and Sciences: SURE ’21 Scholars are: Amanda Barrese (Applied Social and Cultural Studies ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Samuel McReynolds; SFC ’69 Award), Bethany Brodbeck (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. John Mohan; MSC-SURE Award), Brian Alper (Marine Sciences- Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. John Mohan), Carolyn Curley (Biochemistry ’23; faculty advisor Dr. Amy Deveau; MSGC-SURE Award), Colleen Moody (Medical Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Kristin Burkholder), Hannah Korper (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Carrie Byron), Jessica Kemp (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Jeri Fox), Katelyn Dimm (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ‘22; faculty advisors Dr. John Mohan and Dr. Stephan Zeeman), Katrina Kelley (Biological Sciences ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Steven Travis; MSGC-SURE Award), Lydia Pinard (Marine Sciences-Oceanography; faculty advisor Dr. Charles Tilburg; MSGC-SURE Award), Lyle Massoia (Biological Sciences ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Kristin Burkholder; MSGC-SURE Award), Marie Hoener (Medical Biology ’23; faculty advisor Dr. Ursula Roese; MSGC-SURE Award), Kai Alger (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Markus Frederich; MSC-SURE Award), McKayla Arsenault (Environmental Science ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Gregory Zogg; MSGC-SURE Award), Ryan Zimmermann (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology ’22; faculty advisor Dr. Kathryn Ono), Sarah Padellaro (Biochemistry ’23; faculty advisor Dr. Amy Deveau), and Tyler Riendeau (Environmental Science 4+1 ’23; faculty advisor Dr. Thomas Klak).

Hannah Korper (Marine Sciences-Marine Biology’22) harvests seaweed off the coast of Maine while working with Dr. Carrie Byron. Sarah Padellaro (Biochemistry'23) analyzes chemical samples by NMR spectroscopy under the direction of Dr. Amy Deveau. Ryan Zimmermann (Marine Sciences-Marine Lyle Massoia (Biological Sciences, '22) and Biology ’22)analyzes skate denticles as part of his Colleen Moody (Medical Biology, ’22) examine a summer research project with Dr. Kathryn Ono. bacterial culture in Dr. Kristin Burkholder’s lab. Marine Hoehner (Medical Biology SURE Symposium, October 2, 2021 '23) collects algae samples near the Biddeford Campus to analyzes as part of her summer research project with Dr. Ursula Roese. Students, faculty, and advisors enjoy a cool treat and discuss “all things research and scholarship” during the SURE ice cream social.



ALI AHMIDA SELECTED FOR NATIONAL MIDDLE EASTERN RESEARCH WORKING GROUP In the next phase of his work with the Special Commission on Social Science Research in the Middle East and North Africa, Ali Ahmida, Ph.D., professor in and founding chair of UNE’s Political Science program in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, has been invited to participate in a working group to study the ethics and politics of research questions as they pertain to social science in the Middle East. Ahmida was invited to join the commission, an initiative of the Research Ethics Committee in the Middle East and North Africa (REMENA) project at Columbia University, last year. The REMENA project is dedicated to developing guidelines for the conduct of responsible, ethical, and social inquiry in the Arab world. The commission is composed of a selected group of distinguished scholars who will work on the project for two years. Read more… AMY DEVEAU INVITED INTO PRESTIGIOUS STEM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Amy M. Deveau, Ph.D., professor of chemistry within the University of New England College of Arts and Sciences, was recently invited into the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) STEM Leadership Institute, held virtually from July 20-23. The institute empowers STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) faculty and administrators in fully understanding the systems, structures, and influences of power and privilege within higher education, the AAC&U says, and equips them with the tools and skills needed to bring about social change and true reform in undergraduate STEM education. Known by her students as “Dr. D,” Deveau primarily teaches organic chemistry, general chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and organic structure elucidation as a faculty member in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, where she regularly incorporates research into her course curricula, providing meaningful early exposure to research for STEM undergraduate students. Read more… CHRISTINE FEURT RECOGNIZED WITH CERF SCIENTIFIC AWARD Christine Feurt, Ph.D., research associate in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs, is the recipient of a 2021 Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) Scientific Award. Recipients of the awards embody the mission of CERF to advance understanding and wise stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide by promoting research; supporting the education of scientists, decision- makers, and the public; and facilitating communication among these groups. Feurt was recognized with the Margaret A. Davidson Award for Stewardship for being a visionary social scientist who integrates human dimensions into coastal management. Read more

AIMEE VLACHOS RECEIVEDTHE EMERGING SCHOLAR AWARD AT THE 12TH ANNUAL SPORT & SOCIETY CONFERENCE For each conference, a small number of Emerging Scholar Awards are given to outstanding graduate students and emerging scholars who have an active research interest in the conference themes. Emerging Scholars perform a critical role in the conference by chairing the parallel sessions, providing technical assistance in the sessions, and presenting their own research papers. JENNIFER TUTTLE NAMED LUDCKE CHAIR OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES FOR 2021-2022 Jennifer S. Tuttle, Ph.D., Dorothy M. Healy professor of Literature and Health in the University of New England School of Arts and Humanities and director of the Maine Women Writers Collection, has been named the Ludcke Chair of Liberal Arts and Sciences for 2021- 2022. The Ludcke Chair, funded by a generous bequest from the estate of Eleanor Ludcke (Westbrook College Class of 1926), is presented annually to a tenured member of the faculty of the college of arts and sciences in recognition of their outstanding academic accomplishments. The chair holder must have attained the ideal of the “teacher/scholar,” a dedicated educator and productive researcher who has given time generously to the University of New England over a significant period. Read more HOLLY PARKER NAMED CHAIR OF THE NEW UARCTIC THEMATIC RESEARCH NETWORK In this year’s assembly, Holly Parker was named chair of the new thematic research network Bioregional Planning for Rural Communities. She will lead the network in partnership with Agricultural University of Iceland and University of Highlands and Islands, Scotland. HOLLY PARKER ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS FULBRIGHT SPECIALIST PROGRAM Holly Parker, Ph.D., director of UNE North: The Institute for North Atlantic Studies at the University of New England, has been accepted to the Fulbright Specialist Program, where she will engage with other U.S. academics and established professionals for project-based exchanges across the globe. Parker will serve on the program’s project roster for four years and be eligible to match with projects around the world and the North, in particular. She will focus her efforts on sustainable development and leadership education. The specialist program differs from traditional Fulbright residencies as the projects take place at host institutions for a period of just two to six weeks.

“Because these projects move at a rapid pace, they allow us to be more innovative in our thinking,” Parker said. “That is what I found so attractive about this program.” Parker also said the experience will help elevate UNE North and UNE as a whole as she will collaborate with partners across the North Atlantic toward common research goals. There is already interest from partners in England, Scotland, Norway, and Iceland, she said. “This program will allow us to fund key UNE and UNE North projects,” Parker explained. “I’m honored to have this experience, and I am humbled by the response I have had from my colleagues since being accepted into the Fulbright Specialist Program.” TAMARA KING, NEW DIRECTOR OF THE COBRE BEHAVIOR CORE Dr. King is professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has over a decade of experience as an independent scientist in neuroscience research with a primary focus on developing novel analgesics for the treatment of chronic pain. Her research has incorporated multiple pre- clinical models of chronic pain including nerve injury, cancer- induced bone pain and osteoarthritis. She has contributed to the development of novel assays to examine spontaneous/ongoing pain, highlighted as an important clinical aspect of many chronic pain states and she has collaborated with academic and industry investigators across the United States and internationally (e.g., Canada, Brazil, UK, Denmark) to incorporate the assay of ongoing pain within their research programs. She has over 60 peer reviewed publications and has co-edited a book entitled Analgesics for Cancer Pain. As Director of the UNE COBRE Behavior Core, Dr. King will continue collaborations with the UNE research community and external partners in academic and corporate research organizations. She looks forward to developing new research services including enhanced coordination of training for faculty and students in models used for behavioral assessment in the field of neuroscience. She will provide consultation in use of appropriate behavioral models, experimental design, troubleshooting of model development and interpretation of behavioral data. ASSOCIATE PROVOST KAREN HOUSEKNECHT APPOINTED TO THE EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD OF THE UMAINE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE The University of Maine has launched an Institute of Medicine (IoM) with the mission: “To develop through innovative and coordinated research, education, and strategic partnerships transformative solutions that enhance the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Maine and beyond.” Dr. Karen L. Houseknecht, Professor and Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship, has been appointed to serve with other state biomedical research leaders on the IoM External Advisory Board. In June, Dr. Houseknecht hosted an introductory discussion with IoM leadership and UNE biomedical researchers to explore possible research collaborations You can learn more about the IoM here

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTS \"UMaine Institute of Medicine: Exploring research synergies\" Speakers: Dr. Kody Varahramyan, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School Dr. David Harder, Director, Institute of Medicine Dr. Len Kaye, Director of the Center on Aging Dr. Alan Cobo-Lewis, Director of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies Dr. Clarissa Henry, Director, GSBSE, Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Kelley Strout, Director, School of Nursing, Associate Professor of Nursing Please join us for a discussion of new collaborative research opportunities for the UNE community. Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 | 11:00 – 12:00 EST Way to watch:https://une.zoom.us/j/93912400177 Please note: The event will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY FACULTY The article was coauthored by graduates of the MEMBERS CAPTURE AWARD FOR BEST UNE Pharm.D. program Hillary Mishcon and RESEARCH PAPER Cody Black. Ron Hills, Ph.D., associate professor of SCHOOL OF PHARMACY FACULTY medicinal chemistry, and Steev Sutton, Ph.D., MEMBER’S associate professor in the Department of RESEARCH Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration, PAPER WAS AS have received the 2021 Best Paper Award from ONE OF THE Nutrients, a peer-reviewed, open access journal NOTEWORTHY BY of human nutrition published monthly online by THE SOCIETY OF the INFECTIOUS DISEASES PHARMACISTS (SIDP) George P. Allen, Pharm.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice within the University of New England School of Pharmacy, research publication was selected one of 30 noteworthy Ron Hills, PhD (left and Steeve Sutton, PhD papers by the society of infectious diseases pharmacists as they celebrate their 30 years as Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute an organization (MDPI) based in Switzerland. George Allen, 2000 recipient of SIDP A selection committee at Nutrients chose three Bayer/Smith Kline Research Grant examined winners following a review process by an the activities of mutant prevention evaluation committee. concentration-targeted moxifloxacin and levofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumonia Hills and Sutton won first place for their in an in vitro pharamcodynamic model. Allen paper “Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications GP, Kaatz GW, Rybak MJ. Activities of mutant for Diet and Disease.” prevention concentration-targeted moxifloxacin and levofloxacin against Streptococcus The article reviews the impact of the gut pneumoniae in an in vitro pharmacodynamic microbiome on chronic disease and its model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2003 relationship to a patient's habitual diet. Since its Aug;47(8):2606-14. publication in July 2019, the paper has been cited 248 times. The papers cited in the document below were selected from research publications supported Hills' own research involves modeling lipids and by SIDP grants or awards or were produced cell membranes to understand their effect on from members with key roles in SIDP. These protein function. Sutton is conducting publications represent a small “sampling over experiments using in vitro models of the time” of the breadth of research intestine to examine the impact of accomplishments from our members. Please environmental contaminants on inflammation join us in commemorating the literature which and membrane permeability. our SIDP members and colleagues have participated in. The first prize came with 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs) and one free publication in the journal.

GANTER LAB STUDY LEADS TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CHRONIC PAIN Chronic pain is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people worldwide. An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic pain is urgently needed. Geoffrey Ganter, PhD A study by the Ganter Lab recently published recovery process and normally subsides after in Molecular Pain, a peer-reviewed open the injury is healed. However, dysregulation can access medical journal covering all aspects of occur which results in sensitization that persists research on pain, helped to fill that need. after the injury has healed and is thought to Micrograph of a fruit fly nociceptor tak 1The perpetuate chronic pain. study, aimed at better understanding chronic pain, was funded by the National Institutes of Using a fruit fly as the organism under study, the Health and was conducted by Geoffrey Ganter, paper describes progress the researchers have Ph.D., professor of Biology, and Ganter Lab made in understanding how a biochemical chain members Aidan McParland, B.S. ’15 (Medical of events helps the nociceptors, sensory Biology and Oceanography), M.S. '16 neurons that alert the nervous system to potentially harmful stimuli such as mechanical (Biological Sciences); Julie Moulton, M.S. ’20 pressure or noxious heat, to increase their (Biological Sciences); Courtney Brann, B.S. ’16 sensitivity after injury. (Medical Biology), M.S. ’18 (Biological Sciences); Yvonne Otis, B.S. ’21 (Medical Biology); and Christine Hale, a Ph.D. student in Two components of this chain of events, called the University of Maine Graduate School of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Biomedical Sciences and Engineering. pathway, act in the nucleus of the nociceptor to change the way this neuron expresses, or transcribes, its genes. Before an injury occurs, one component called Brinker appears to repress the expression of pain-promoting genes. When Brinker is experimentally removed from the nociceptor, it becomes hypersensitive, even when there is no injury. On the other hand, another component called Schnurri appears to allow pain-promoting genes to be expressed. When Schnurri is experimentally removed from the nociceptor, it becomes unable to become hypersensitive after an injury. These results indicate that Brinker-related transcription regulators play a crucial role in the formation of nociceptive sensitization and may therefore represent valuable new targets for pain-relieving medications. These data also reveal the potential for developing more Micrograph of a fruit fly nociceptor taken by coauthor targeted approaches to chronic pain Julie Moulton management, including considerations for When an injury occurs, the threshold for pain is identifying populations at risk for the reduced and an increased pain signal is development of chronic pain states and the produced. This process is called nociceptive delivery of treatments that prevent the sensitization. This sensitization enhances the occurrence of this condition

MEGAN MAY PRESENTED HER TEAM’S RESEARCH AT THE WORLD MICROBE FORUM (ASM-FEMS ANNUAL MEETING) - JUNE 2021 \"WHOLE CAMPUS WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE FOR SARS-COV-2 PREDICTS CASE POSITIVITY\" Co-authors include: Deborah Barlow, Bahman Rostama, Evangeline Green, and Paul Berkner From left: Barlow, Rostama, Green, Berkner, May KAREN HOUSEKNECHT AND MEGHAN MAY (UNECOM) PRESENTED THEIR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH IN A “LATE BREAKING” RESEARCH SESSION AT THE 81ST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION - JUNE 2021. A\"ENXTPIPLSOYRCINHGOTICMECDHRAUNGISSMS OF INSULIN RESISTANCE IN MENTAL ILLNESS: ALTER METABOLIC, INFLAMMATORY AND NON- ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) ASSOCIATED HUMAN AND MOUSE PROTEOMES IN THE ABSENCE OF WEIGHT GAIN\". Co-authors include: Megan Beauchemin, Cal Vary (MMCRI) and Celeste Bouchard (COM ’20). From left: May, Beauchemin, Vary, Bouchard, Houseknecht MEGHAN MAY WAS SESSION CONVENER ON “VIRULENCE INFLUENCERS - THE MICROBIOME AND CO-PATHOGENS\" AT THE UNITED STATES ORGANIZATION FOR MYCOPLASMOLOGY SYMPOSIUM ON EMERGING PATHOGENS - JUNE 2021

SRINIDI MOHAN SELECTED TO PRESENT POSTER AT LIFE SCIENCES CONFERENCE Srinidi Mohan, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, has been selected to present his poster, “A Novel Blood- Based Biomarker That Distinguishes Estrogen-Negative Solid Tumors In Patient Samples,” at the 14th Annual Massachusetts Life Sciences Innovation (MALSI) Day on Thursday, July 22. The event is the biggest day for life sciences startups and innovation in Massachusetts, bringing together scientists, post-docs, professors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and venture capitalists. It helps the broad scientific community identify resources, find mentors, and bolster entrepreneurism. MALSI provides the path for an academic idea to become a real-world diagnostic/therapeutic product. Twenty poster applications on cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies have been selected. Presenters are provided the opportunity to make a one-minute pitch to highlight their innovation or discovery. Last year’s winner, Concerto Biosciences, went on to raise a seed round of $1.5M. Mohan recently received a second patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for his breakthrough methods and diagnostics for cancer detection and treatment monitoring. The method uses a marker in the blood to detect the presence of highly aggressive tumors and to help track cancer growth. THE RESEARCH, CO-AUTHORED BY ARDUIZUR RICHIE-ZAVALETA, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING “HUMAN TRAFFICKING: AN EVALUATION OF DOCTORAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS’ AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND FUTURE TRAINING“ Although there is limited empirical research that evaluates human trafficking (HT) knowledge base and self-efficacy among healthcare professionals and frontline personnel, there is no previous research that evaluates the awareness, knowledge, and self-efficacy of occupational therapists (OT). OTs, given their professional training and skills, have an important role in the holistic rehabilitation of trafficked persons. Therefore, this study assessed the awareness, knowledgeand self-efficacy, as well as perspectives for future academic training ideas in HT among doctoral OT students (N = 67) who represented two regions of the U.S. (Midwestern and Western). The data were collected through an online cross-sectional survey in June 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2021.1980713

KAREN HOUSEKNECHT, ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS at 37TH ANNUAL SCHOOL NURSE CONFERENCE: CHALLENGES AND CHANGES IN TODAY’S SCHOOL NURSING ` Karen L. Houseknecht, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences recently presented a keynote address entitled: “PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AT SCHOOL: MEDICATIONS FOR THE MIND AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE BODY” at the virtual School Nurse Continuing Education Conference held on August 4, 2021. Increasingly, youth are diagnosed with mental health and behavioral health challenges resulting in increased incidence of school-age children being prescribed psychiatric medications. In her presentation, Houseknecht reviewed psychiatric medications commonly prescribed in pediatrics and discussed common side effects that may impact success at school and overall student well- being. She also presented emerging evidence on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mental health and access to care for youth. “I enjoy discussing psychopharmacology with nurses who are on the front-line of patient care” said Houseknecht, “it is rewarding to share the latest evidence-based information on medication prescribing and patient outcomes, including side- effects. Together we engage in bi-directional learning that benefits us all”. MMCRI AND UNE RESEARCHERS PUBLISH NEW RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE ON SIDE EFFECTS OF PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS ON BONE UNE Professor Karen Houseknecht and Maine Medical Center Research Institute Senior Scientist Katie Motyl recently published new findings in the journal ASBMR Plus. They report data highlighting the role of environmental temperature in the regulation of bone loss that occurs in response to psychiatric medication treatment, using mice as a model. Antipsychotic medications are widely prescribed for diverse disorders and are associated with significant metabolic and Katie Motyl (left and Karen Houseknecht endocrine side effects including increase fracture risk in patients of all ages. Motyl and Houseknecht are long-term collaborators as they work to understand the molecular mechanisms of drug-associated side effects on bone health. Dr. Motyl, senior author on the paper, is a bone biology expert in the Division of Molecular Medicine at MMCRI. Dr. Houseknecht is a pharmacologist the Department of Biomedical Sciences and has been studying the molecular toxicology of antipsychotic drugs on multiple systems including diabetic and metabolic side effects on the heart and liver for over 15 years. Read the full article here: https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbm4.10541

MICHELE POLACSEK, DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, WAS CO-AUTHOR ON THREE JOURNAL ARTICLES PUBLISHED Michele Polacsek PhD MHS, professor of public Health, Director of the UNE Center for Excellence in Public Health (CEPH) is co-author on three journal articles published this week. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the first article evaluates the changes in the calorie content of prepared foods at 2 large U.S. supermarket chains after they implemented calorie labels in April 2017. Prepared bakery items decreased by 7.7 calories per item after calorie labels were implemented. Supply-side changes could lead to reductions in caloric intake. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.03.013 Published in the Journal of Nutrition, Education and Behavior, the second article describes the grocery shopping patterns of people who shopped both online and in-store. When shopping online, participants spent more per transaction and purchased more items. Compared with in- store, shopping online was associated with reduced spending per transaction on candy, cold or frozen desserts, and grain-based desserts. Online shopping was associated with lower spending on certain unhealthy, impulse-sensitive foods. Grocery-based healthy eating initiatives might leverage online ordering platforms to increase their reach and effectiveness. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.03.001 There is a new Scientist article about this research. Published in Public Health Nutrition, the third article describes shopper characteristics of online and in-store shoppers in one Maine community. Female shoppers, greater number of children and higher income were significantly associated with likelihood of shopping online. Reducing barriers to increase availability of online shopping for low income families is paramount. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021002238 STEPHANIE NICHOLS CO-AUTHORED “SAFETY OF ECT IN PATIENTS RECEIVING AN ORAL ANTICOAGULANT,” PUBLISHED IN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN, WITH COLLEAGUES FROM MAINE MEDICAL CENTER ECT is an important treatment for patients with major depression, catatonia, and other psychiatric disorders and conditions. Among patients with depression, ECT is effective at attaining remission in 50% to 60%, compared with 10% to 40% remission rates with pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy.1 A recent review2 reported successful completion of ECT in 3 patients with cerebral aneurysms taking an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. Nevertheless, ECT may be associated with an increased risk of complications when used in patients with some medical conditions, including unstable or severe cardiovascular disease, aneurysm or vascular malformation, increased intracranial pressure, recent cerebral infarct, pulmonary conditions, and those at high risk of complications associated with anesthesia. doi: 10.9740/mhc.2021.07.254

A NEW PAPER BY THOMAS MEUSER, REGI ROBNETT, AND SHELLEY COHEN KONRAD WAS PUBLISHED “TELECOLLABORATION IN GERONTOLOGY SERVICE LEARNING: ADDRESSING ISOLATION & LONELINESS IN A PANDEMIC” IN GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS EDUCATION Social isolation and loneliness present significant challenges for the mental and physical health of older adults. Social distancing, mask From left: Thomas Meuser, Regi Robnett, and Shelley Cohen Konrad wearing, and other precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic add to these challenges. This article details a telecollaborative service-learning project to engage older adults online and provide applied experiences for students. From March through October 2020, 54 students from Social Work (Master, Bachelor), the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM; DO), and Occupational Therapy (Master) provided telephone support and Zoom™ based programming for older adults affiliated with the University of New England. Creative offerings were piloted weekly and debriefed on Friday afternoons in the spring, leading to more structured 8-week schedules in summer and fall. Peer-to-peer support took place between older adults with experience in video meetings and those willing to learn. Bidirectional and intergenerational benefits were noted as older adults and students navigated the exigencies of the pandemic and learned important lessons with and from each other to advance knowledge and improve quality of life. doi: 10.1080/02701960.2021.1956489 MEUSER AND ROBNET CO-AUTHORED WITH STEPHEN CHENG, DAN THAI, DECHEN TULADHAR, AND MCGYVER POULIN RESEARCH “EXPLORING CROSS GENERATIONAL COVID-19 ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS” PUBLISHED IN ADVANCES IN AGING RESEARCH doi.ORG/10.4236/AAR.2021.105007 Respondents to this survey viewed the COVID-19 pandemic as serious, finding it necessary to be informed about, and worthy of personal actions to stay safe and prevent transmission. Most reported appreciation for the scientifically-based guidance and adherence (when it occurred) to the evidence-based preventative guidelines. These older adult respondents are not representative of the wider population, particularly in respect to education, diversity, and socioeconomic status. While attitudes about the seriousness of the pandemic may vary by age group, with elders feeling more vulnerable, the reported compliance levels tend not to be (very) significantly different. Future research could focus more on the psychological impact of the pandemic and the coping skills of different age groups. In addition, intervention studies that focus on positive coping skills, and the enhancement of technological communication, seem to be essential at this unprecedented time in our human history. Since this research project was largely descriptive and exploratory in nature, the practical implications of these outcomes may not be direct or immediate.

HOLLY PARKER, DIRECTOR OF UNE NORTH, EXPLORES HOW EMBRACING THE CHILDLIKE CURIOSITY OF “WHY” CAN ASSIST IN COMMUNICATING THE COMPLEX ISSUES OF CLIMATE CHANGE: “TELL ME A STORY – WHY CLIMATE CHANGE OMMUNICATION NEEDS TO EMBRACE OUR CHILDLIKE CURIOSITY” This article is part of the ISC’s new series, Transform21, which will explore the state of knowledge and action, five years on from the Paris Agreement and in a pivotal year for action on sustainable development. A child starts down the endless path of asking “why?” “Why is the sky blue?” Why is there day and night?” “Why do fish swim?” “Why is winter colder than summer?” I try to answer these questions in ways that a child might understand. I go with the facts. “The sky is blue because sunlight reaches Earth’s atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by all the gases and particles in the air. Blue light is scattered more than the other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves.” But after many exchanges, and receiving an increasing number of incredulous looks, I give up, thwarted by the relentless curiosity of “why.” Similarly, social and physical scientists working on climate face a communication challenge. How do we instill the urgency and intimacy we feel for climate science in individuals and communities, where action can make an enormous difference? I believe that the key to effective climate science communication is embracing the sometimes- frustrating childlike curiosity of “why.” How do children learn what is important to them? Stories, myths, legends and fairy tales help children explain the world around them and understand their place in it. According the BBC, “Most small children live their lives in quite a limited environment. Reading stories to children can show them far-flung places, extraordinary people and eye-opening situations to expand and enrich their world… Scientists have found that children who have fiction read to them regularly find it easier to understand other people – they show more empathy.” Read more… UNE RESEARCHERS STUDYING FOOD SAFETY ASPECTS OF EDIBLE SEAWEED Most food harvested from the sea is contaminated by some level of pathogenic bacteria, and edible seaweed is no exception. What level of pathogens are found on edible seaweed and what can be done to keep levels low are the focus of a study now underway involving researchers and students at UNE. “Edible seaweed, including sugar kelp, is really a burgeoning industry in Maine,” explained Kristin Burkholder, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “Our recent work has shown that, not surprisingly, kelp harvested from the Gulf of Maine is subject to occasional low levels of contamination by bacterial pathogens. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not been keeping pace with potential safety issues around consuming this product as food. Since seaweed is not considered seafood or a crop, it is not regulated by the FDA.”

“So, there really is no guidance out there for the industry on how to keep the risk low,” stated Carrie Byron, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs. “Our goal is to work with industry members to produce best management practices and set some standards. We are now in the beginning stages of trying to gather data.” With $150,000 worth of funding from a Maine Sea Grant, Byron, Burkholder, and their students are examining ways that the industry can minimize the food safety risk. “We are thinking about how people in the industry are handling and processing the seaweed before it gets to the consumer,” Kristin Burkholder (left) Carrie Byron Burkholder said. “We are specifically looking at post-harvest storage temperature and drying methods applied to the seaweed.” The most commonly used drying method in the industry now is air drying. The researchers will be comparing that to freeze drying the seaweed, a method used in some other countries, to see if one way is better than the other at keeping pathogen load low. Master of Marine Sciences student Jessica Vorse is conducting the experiments for the study. “This spring, I will be running storage temperature trials on freshy harvested farmed sugar kelp,” she stated. “I will be taking kelp samples, inoculating them with six common food pathogens, then storing them in one of three temperatures, all relevant for food storage. I will then analyze their pathogen load post storage treatment to determine the best storage temperature for the product.” Vorse will follow the temperature study with experiments that examine the effects of seaweed drying methods on pathogen levels. An important element of the study is working with industry members to inform the project goals. “The industry really sees the need for this research,” Byron said. “Very rarely do you see diverse industry members all coming together in the same place at the same time on a topic, but we were able to do that with representation across species, across farming, and across harvesting methods on a topic that can be really scary for them.” Byron says the project is giving the students involved real-world, hands-on experience that they can take with them after graduation. “We have had a couple of teams of undergraduate students who've been involved in this, which I think great for them,” she stated. “It gives them some solid material to put in their resumes and in future applications to graduate schools. It really is a pretty incredible skillset that these students will be walking away with.” Vorse says part of the experience she is receiving is learning how to work independently. Read more…

COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL STUDY CONFIRMS RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE HAS POSITIVE IMPACTS ON MARINE LIFE The University of New England partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the world’s leading conservation organization, on a ground-breaking new study that provides strong evidence that shellfish and seaweed farming are a critical component of regenerative food production. The comprehensive study has been published in Reviews in Aquaculture at a time when much news of food production focuses on its negative impacts on the environment. Quite to the contrary, the study, titled “Habitat value of bivalve shellfish and seaweed aquaculture for fish and invertebrates: Pathways, synthesis, and next steps,” paints a bright picture of aquaculture’s potential to help satisfy food demand in harmony with ocean health. Restorative shellfish and seaweed farming offers a sustainable method to meet the nutritional needs of the growing human population, while maintaining and improving the health of the waters, lands, and animals we live alongside. This study is among the first to demonstrate the global potential for regenerative outcomes in aquaculture systems. “Aquaculture is among the world’s fastest-growing forms of food production and there is a growing biodiversity crisis that already exists in our ocean. It’s critical that we identify ways to develop aquaculture that benefits, rather than harms our ocean, that are based on sound science,” said Robert Jones, Global Lead for Aquaculture at The Nature Conservancy. “This study is game changing in that it clearly shows an opportunity through shellfish and seaweed aquaculture. For the first time, we’re able to put quantifiable global numbers on the benefits these farms can have on marine wildlife.” The study, a collaboration between partners at University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, and the University of New England, systematically reviewed 65 published sources around the world to assess the biodiversity benefits of mussel, oyster, clam, and seaweed farms. In each case, a greater number of fish and invertebrates were observed on the farm sites compared to nearby locations. Mussel farms appear to be the most beneficial of these species groups for enhancing the volume of marine life, as about 3.6 times more fish and invertebrates appear around mussel farms compared to nearby locations. In addition, a greater diversity of species was also observed on some farm sites. Oyster farms proved to be the most effective for increasing species diversity; 30 percent more species were found to inhabit these farms than areas near the farm. These benefits were the result of providing a structured habitat, food and places to forage, and reproductive grounds for fish. Read more…

ALI AHMIDA WAS ONE OF THE PANELIST AT THE TEN YEARS ON PROJECT PANEL “TEACHING THE ARAB UPRISINGS” Dr. Ahmida presented on February 25, “Teaching and Theorizing the Arab Uprisings: Challenges and Lessons” in the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program (GMU), Arab Barometer (Princeton), and Arab Studies Institute project. https://www.thearabuprisings.org/ AIMEE VLACHOS PRESENTED AT THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL SPORT & SOCIETY CONFERENCE “SPORT AND SOCIETY IN CRISIS” Dr. Vlachos presented on June 25, “Past the Breaking Point – Experiences on the Outside”. She was the featured presenter for the Focused Discussion category: https://cgscholar.com/cg_event/events/R21/schedule#2021-06-25 ELIZABETH DEWOLFE PUBLISHED ESSAY ON A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN, GILDED AGE SPY READ THE ARTICLE IN UCL PRESS Elizabeth DeWolfe, Professor of History and affiliated faculty in Women’s & Gender Studies, published an essay on a previously unknown, Gilded Age spy. “Agnes Parker, Miss Johnson, Jane Tucker and Me” examines how DeWolfe followed a tangled archival trail to learn Agnes Parker’s true identity. The essay appears in Paper Trails: The Social Life of Archives and Collections, an open-access digital book published by University College London Press. DAVID LIVINGSTON SMITH DISCUSSED HIS FORTHCOMING BOOK “MAKING MONSTERS: THE UNCANNY POWER OF DEHUMANIZATION” ON THE SEIZE THE MOMENT PODCAST On episode 102, Seize the Moment podcast welcomes philosopher David Livingstone Smith to discuss the psychosocial mechanisms of dehumanization. David Livingstone Smith is a professor of philosophy at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He earned his PhD from the University of London, Kings College, where he worked on Freud’s philosophy of mind and psychology. His current research is focused on dehumanization, race, propaganda, and related topics. His books include On Inhumanity, Less Than Human, and his newest book Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization.

UNE PHILOSOPHER DAVID LIVINGSTONE SMITH SPEAKS ON HIS RESEARCH FOR THE CANADA BANGLADESH SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION RESEARCH ALLIANCE ON AUGUST 22, 2021 A group of academics, activists, artists, writers, poets, and professionals of various backgrounds, mainly from Canada and Bangladesh who take an active and passionate interest in social justice and equity studies. Their goal is to engage in critical conversations to bring social transformations to make the world a more just and equitable place. SUSAN MCHUGH’S RESEARCH FEATURED AT THE MEDICAL POSTHUMANITIES WORKSHOP HOSTED BY THE BALDY CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY AT SUNY BUFFALO Susan McHugh, PhD, Professor of English in the School of Arts and Humanities, was an invited speaker at the Medical Post humanities: Governing Health Beyond the Human virtual workshop on April 14-16, hosted by the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy at the State University of New York at Buffalo. McHugh’s talk, entitled “Rabies on Ice: Learning from Interspecies Suffering in Arctic Canada” begins at minute 24 on the April 16 recording uploaded to the Baldy Center . The workshop brought together leading-edge medical researchers, social scientists, conservation biologists, and arts and humanities scholars to propose an innovative approach to pandemic problem-solving: while medical humanities have tended to focus almost exclusively on humans, a medical posthumanities, by contrast, would take seriously the role of “more-than-human” actors to explore the complex entanglements of human, animal, and ecological health. Given that the human individual has long served as the subject of liberal societies and the systems of governance to which they gave rise, the legal implications of a medical posthumanities are immediate. The conversations captured in the workshop recordings confirm broader potentials for creative, ethical, social, and scientific thinking to address the interlinkages of the most pressing global problems today. SUSAN MCHUGH GAVE AN INVITED TALK IN THE BOOK SEMINAR SERIES HOSTED BY THE RESEARCH NETWORK FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL STUDIES AT SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH KOREA ON JUNE 25, 2021 Susan McHugh gave an invited talk in the book seminar series hosted by the Research Network for Human-Animal Studies at Seoul National University in South Korea on June 25, 2021, celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the publication of Animal Stories: Narrating Across Species Lines. SUSAN MCHUGH LED “PERSPECTIVES OF AN ACCIDENTAL ANIMIST”, A CONVERSATION WITH JARID MANOS, FOUNDER OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION GREAT PLAINS RESTORATION COUNCIL, WHICH IS HELPING CREATE THE LARGEST PUBLIC PRAIRIE PRESERVE IN NORTH TEXAS Manos’s memoir Ghetto Plainsman is being made into a Hollywood feature film. McHugh and Manos were joined by Paul Moss, founder of The Plant Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works collaboratively with others to advance the respectful treatment of plants, as well as organizer of the conference Toward a New Way of Being with Plants, attended by 1500 people, in which their conversation was a featured event. Jarid Manos, \"Perspectives of an Accidental Animist,\" 6/18/21 - YouTube

SUSAN MCHUGH, DELIVERED A KEYNOTE LECTURE ON MAY 30, 2021 AT THE ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Susan McHugh, PhD, Professor of English, delivered a keynote lecture at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Undergraduate Teachers of German on Sunday May 30, as part of the weeklong Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 2021, attended virtually by hundreds of academics from across North America. Titled “Reframing Genocide across Species Lines: Learning from Intersectional Approaches in Animal Studies,” Read more… SUSAN MCHUGH, GAVE THE KEYNOTE LECTURE AT THE CULTURAL AND LITERARY ANIMAL STUDIES COLLOQUIUM HOSTED BY FORSCHUNGSKOLLEG HUMANWISSENSCHAFTEN DER GOETHE-UNIVERSITÄT IN BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY ON SEPT. 6 “POSTHUMANISM, POSTFEMINISM, POSTANIMALISM?” Susan McHugh, Professor of English, gave the keynote lecture online at the Cultural and Literary Animal Studies Colloquium hosted by Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften der Goethe-Universität in Bad Homburg, Germany on Sept. 6, where thirty scholars gathered in person to listen to and later discuss McHugh’s research project titled, “Posthumanism, Postfeminism, Postanimalism?” JENNIFER TUTTLE PRESENTED AT AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Jennifer Tuttle, Ph.D., Dorothy M. Healy professor of Literature and Health in the University of New England School of Arts and Humanities and 2021-2022 Ludcke Chair of Liberal Arts and Sciences, presented at the American Literature Association (ALA) Conference in Boston, July 8-10. At the conference, Tuttle presented \"Writing the Rails in Edith Eaton's West.” The talk considers Edith Eaton’s 1904 serial travelogue, “Wing Sing of Los Angeles on His Travels,” published in the California promotional newspaper the Los Angeles Express. Eaton herself traveled the route followed by the pseudonymous Wing Sing: north to Canada, east to Montreal, south to New York, and west to Seattle, a journey undertaken in the shadow of the Chinese Exclusion Act and in a period of rampant Sinophobia. Tuttle explores how Eaton, sending dispatches from the train and writing as a Chinese merchant, transforms the railway from an instrument of colonization and white supremacy to a vehicle for reclaiming the humanity of Chinese immigrants in North America. The presentation previews an essay that Tuttle will publish later this year in \"The Routledge Companion to Gender and the American West.\" JENNIFER TUTTLE PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN JOURNAL WOMEN’S STUDIES Jennifer Tuttle, Ph.D., Dorothy M. Healy professor of Literature and Health in the University of New England School of Arts and Humanities and 2021-2022 Ludcke Chair of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has published an essay titled “‘To Turn Over and Over’: The Loss of the Verso in the Virtual Archive.” Tuttle’s essay is one of several meditations published in the journal Women’s Studies on the challenges facing archival researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic, when repositories have largely been closed to in-person visitors.

In her meditation, Tuttle considers researchers’ inability to access the verso — the reverse side of an archival object — and explores what it means to be able to turn an object over to examine what is on the back. Although some archives scan some materials to include the verso (often providing remote researchers with a digital image of a blank page), Tuttle argues that this is a poor substitute for handling the materials directly. “Digitization is a boon for libraries and researchers alike, yet it creates the illusion of comprehensiveness that potentially further silences those who already may be overlooked or misrepresented in archives,” Tuttle said. More generally, she argues, the verso (or reverse) side embodies all of the ways and reasons that handling materials directly, having greater access to less discoverable objects, and reading archives against the grain are crucial to the recovery of women’s work and lives. KIERNAN GORDON CO-AUTHORED “GLACIERS AS A SACRED SYMBOL: AN INTERACTION RITUAL ANALYSIS OF THE HARRIMAN ALASKA EXPEDITION OF 1899”, PUBLISHED IN LANDSCAPES The preservationist John Muir (1838–1914) and the railroad magnate Edward H. Harriman (1848–1909) developed late in their lives an unlikely friendship, the root of which can be traced to Harriman’s Alaska Expedition in 1899. The emotional outcomes generated by the discovery and exploration of the natural landscape during the expedition were established through a place-naming ritual and reinforced through subsequent interactions between the two men for the next decade until Harriman’s death in 1909. Despite both possessing different social status and disparate perspectives of the environment and humans’ role within it, Randall Collins’ (2004) interaction ritual theory provides a lens through which one can understand how their relationship developed and ultimately influenced environmental policy. doi.org/10.1080/14662035.2021.1956099 KIERNAN GORDON’S CO-AUTHORED PAPER PUBLISHED IN ONE OF THE TOP SPORT MANAGEMENT JOURNALS IN THE WORLD! DEAD SPACES: SPORT VENUES AND POLICE STOPS IN A MAJOR LEAGUE, UPPER MIDWESTERN CITY IN THE UNITED STATES Journal of Sport Management Given the increased attention toward the corporate social responsibility of professional sport organizations, this study asserts that while sport organizations are very active in this regard, there remain several issues that have not received much attention in the sport management literature nor by sport organizations themselves. Through a negative binomial regression analysis of police stops in Minneapolis, MN over a four-year span using spatial police stop data, this study contributes to the few studies that have explored sport and crime and to the growing literature discussing the negative externalities of sport. Minneapolis offers a unique opportunity for such an analysis, as it is one of three metropolitan areas in the US to have a franchise in each of the four, major, professional, sport leagues as the primary tenant for four separate venues. The analysis revealed that police stops were greater within a quarter and half a mile of Minneapolis professional sport venues on event days. Furthermore, during non-event days, these venues can be urban ‘dead spaces’ and the design of venues in urban areas should address the internal and external amenities of the sport venues and the potential increase in crime and police-related activity on days with and without events. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2021-0080

MAINE LEND TRAINEES VIRTUALLY ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN WASHINGTON Trainees from the Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program recently attended the virtual Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., as part of the conclusion of their curriculum. Policy priorities outlined at the seminar by the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) included home and community service support, integrated competitive employment, COVID-19 relief and vaccines for people with disabilities and their families, and budget allocations for programs including the 52 LEND programs throughout the nation. This year, four trainees served as leaders for the Capitol Hill Visits: Emily Wasina (M.S.O.T, ’21) led Team Chellie Pingree; Sydney Charles (D.P.T., ’21) led Team Angus King; Maddison French (Nursing, ’20) led Team Susan Collins; and University of Southern Maine student Amy Crawford (M.S.W, ’21) led Team Jared Golden. Each team was named after a Maine state legislator. The leaders were charged with organizing trainees to speak on specific issues, communicating with the legislative staff, assuring staff offices receive materials, facilitating the online meeting, and following up with the legislators. Faculty support was offered by Kathryn Loukas, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor of occupational therapy and LEND training director; Valerie Jones, L.M.S.W., Family Interprofessional Team (FIT) coordinator and assistant clinical professor of social work; and Eileen Ricci, PT, D.P.T., M.S., PCS, associate clinical professor of physical therapy and Maine LEND program director. The LEND program is a federally funded project aimed at expanding resources to individuals in Maine with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program’s goals include training health care providers, parents, educators, and others to improve the health of children and others with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program includes interprofessional trainees in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, audiology, social work, nursing, special education, school psychology, and public health, as well as community health workers, family discipline practitioners, and self-advocates.

ANNUAL INTERPROFESSIONAL POSTER SESSION REFLECTS LESSONS LEARNED FROM PANDEMIC The University of New England Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education (CECE) recently hosted its 10th annual Interprofessional Student Poster Session on Wednesday, May 5. The annual event highlights students’ cumulative interprofessional education (IPE) teamwork, in which UNE is a national leader. Posters represented students’ IPE experiences during their time at the University, including interprofessional team immersion, student-led events and competitions, collaborative research and clinical experiences, and service-learning community projects. CECE serves as a University-wide hub for cross-disciplinary education and collaborative practices across academic programs. This year’s annual poster session, once again held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, saw 17 poster presentations assembled by student teams from 12 different graduate and undergraduate health professions programs. There were, in total, 135 participants in attendance. Student presenters represented the University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Dental Medicine, and the following programs from the Westbrook College of Health Professions: nursing; pharmacy; dental hygiene; health, wellness, and occupational studies; occupational therapy; physician assistant; physical therapy; public health; and social work. Student posters reflected the many challenges of the 2020-2021 academic year, with focuses on telehealth, pandemic planning, and examples of transformative leadership. Student research posters represented projects done in conjunction with UNE’s Center for Excellence in Aging and Health, among others. The Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education’s innovative interprofessional team immersion (IPTI) — a longitudinal, case-based, simulation experience — was the subject of seven posters, including a parody of telecommunication mishaps, which garnered one of three presentation awards. Student poster award winners included: • Morgan Benjamin, Nora Connors, Emily Cathey, Faye DiBella, Anna Holmblad, Victoria Mitchell, Rebecca Ocana, and Jordan Simpson: “Pain Clinic: The Benefits and Challenges of Telehealth” • Marissa Clifford-Biederman, Mariel Connolly, Wesley Covey, Jaia Hudson, Becca Kryceski, and Dorothy Enomoto: “The Technical Difficulties Associated with Interprofessional Healthcare through Telehealth Medicine” • Casey-John Keyes, Wyatt Blackstone, Bethany Gruskin, John Caswell, and Chris Eidson: “Protest Medicine: “How to Leverage your Role as a Provider During Civil Unrest”