Symposium

Celebrating Academic and Artistic Achievements

Each year, the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) Symposium showcases the academic excellence, research, creative work, and experiential learning of our students. Students present both individual and course-based projects representing diverse academic disciplines. Through lectures, demonstrations, performances, and interactive poster sessions, they share original research findings, thoughtful analysis, and creative work with the community. All events are open to the public.

2026 Symposium Day will be held on April 15, and daytime classes will be canceled so the entire campus community can participate in this celebration of student achievement.

Start Symposium Week at Arts Night! Join us Tuesday, April 14 from 5:00–6:30pm at the Emery Arts Center for an evening of art, performance, and celebration. This pre-symposium event features student artwork, theatre scenes, and a special dance performance, along with a light reception in the Emery Arts Center.

View the Full Program & Schedule (PDF)

2026 Presentation Areas and Schedule

The annual Symposium Day at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) campus celebrates its 27th year of highlighting the best of a UMF education, with students sharing their academic work with the campus community and beyond. Explore some of the presentation areas and schedule below. View map

Creative Pursuits in the Arts & Sciences (Location: Emery Arts Center)

1:40pm – 3:00pm
B.A. in Art & Design Senior Exhibition Artist Talks
Artists: Lillian Aldrich, Justin Boulay, Benjamin Branch, Connor Haskell, Jadyn Jacobs, Avery Joyce, Kai McCormick, Bobbie Pirruccello, Bobbi Smalley, Hannah Wilbur
Senior Art & Design majors will discuss their capstone art exhibition in the Emery Community Arts Center Gallery. Each student will give an artist talk that presents the ideas and processes that inspired their artwork.
(Faculty Sponsor: Ann Bartges)
3:00pm – 3:10pm
Reframe the Game
Hannah Wilbur (Wilson Scholar)
Reframe the Game is a visual storytelling project that explores joy and human connection within collegiate athletics. Through original sports photography, athlete portraits, and athlete-written quotes, the project shifts the focus of sports media away from statistics and performance toward the emotional experiences of athletes. The work highlights moments of focus, competition, celebration, friendship, and reflection that shape what it means to be an athlete. Presented through a series of designed posters and an editorial-style magazine, Reframe the Game combines photography and graphic design to center athlete voices and reimagine how sports culture is visually represented.
(Faculty Sponsor: Ann Bartges)
3:10pm – 3:30pm
Illustrated Poetry Book
Bobbie Pirruccello (Wilson Scholar)
This project proposes the creation of a fully illustrated poetry book developed through close collaboration between a visual artist and a poet. The final work will consist of 25 original poems paired with 25 illustrations, designed and produced as a cohesive 50-page book. Rather than functioning as simple accompaniment, the visual and literary works will be developed simultaneously so that each influences and reshapes the other. The project investigates how images can complicate, reinterpret, or expand poetic meaning while typography, layout, and sequencing guide the reader’s experience. By integrating visual and literary language within a unified design system, the project explores how interdisciplinary collaboration can generate layered narrative meaning.
(Faculty Sponsor: Ann Bartges)
3:30pm – 3:50pm
Beyond Harlem: The Renaissance in New Orleans
Isabelle Veenstra
This presentation examines the geographical breadth of the Harlem Renaissance beyond New York and traces the connections of culture to New Orleans. To explore the relationship between these hubs, I will analyze two pivotal figures—Louis Armstrong and Zora Neale Hurston—both of whom had artistic practices and thematic influence from New Orleans. Recognizing the historical complexity behind the artistic ideas rooted in Southern tradition allows the Harlem Renaissance to be understood within larger cultural expressions.
(Faculty Sponsor: Michael Johnson)
4:00pm – 5:30pm
A Reading by the Members of Advanced Fiction
Readers: Kaiden Clark, Ciel Condon, Isabelle Gerken, Shaylynn Koban, Andrew LaFlamme, Michael Libby, Katie Lipoma, Tristan Mitchell, Finley Narvesen, Lina Martinez Nocito, Eve Poteet, Jacie Strander, Kat Swist, Ethan Taylor, Kylee Walton, Musette White
The members of Advanced Fiction (ENG 310) will be reading 3-4 minute selections of their fictional works. Each reading will be accompanied by a projected image of their choosing.
(Faculty Sponsor: Lewis Robinson)

Environmental Change (Location: Thomas Auditorium)

9:20am – 9:40am
Assessing Crosswalk Safety On and Around the University of Maine at Farmington Campus Using Survey123 and GIS Technologies
Paige Gonya (Wilson Scholar)
Crosswalks and pedestrian infrastructure are essential in urban planning, public health, and GIS-based analysis due to their strong influence on walkability and safety. These elements have a strong influence on how individuals interact with their surroundings and have been a focus of many studies. This study aims to investigate the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) campus and the surrounding areas to better understand how rural areas may be impacted differently. Of the 18 sites surveyed, 4 were individually observed to measure the average pause time, as well as other important elements that pertained to the crosswalk. Findings show pedestrians interact with areas that are perceived as more dangerous cautiously, depicting higher pause times. Other factors, such as available infrastructures, driver and pedestrian visibility, distractions, and overall usage, also play a role in how these specific crosswalks are perceived and used.
(Faculty Sponsor: Matt McCourt)
9:40am – 10:00am
Salmon Growth in Orbeton Stream
Christopher Houdeshell
Atlantic salmon have faced serious declines in population with the only wild populations in the United States being found in Maine. These declines have been greatly contributed to human-constructed barriers to migration and other anthropogenic factors. The migratory Atlantic salmon spawn in a limited number of rivers including some streams in western Maine. Orbeton stream in TOWN NAME and some other surrounding streams contains ideal salmon spawning habitat and have been the sites of various salmon restoration and monitoring activities. The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) collected scales from Atlantic salmon parr in Orbeton stream from 2007 to 2025. These scales were imaged under a microscope and measured with ImageJ to find variation in growth between different years. Variation between years was then compared to temperature differences between the years as a possible explanatory variable for variation in growth.
(Faculty Sponsor: Rachel Hovel)
10:00am – 10:20am
The blue-green butterfly: a framework to guide the implementation of sustainable actions in tourism organizations
Dr. Thomas Gillman (Libra Scholar)
In the 21st century, tourism has increasingly been recognized as a critical sector for promoting sustainability. Yet, translating sustainability principles into everyday practices has long proven to be a major challenge for local tourism operators. This presentation introduces the Blue-Green Framework, a novel model designed to aid tourism operators in navigating sustainability issues in context-appropriate ways. The framework integrates rich insights derived from fieldwork conducted in Vanuatu with established sustainability theory – incorporating economic, environmental, and social dimensions. In doing so, it offers a distinctive perspective on how the spheres of sustainability interact and highlights the role of diverse knowledge systems in shaping sustainability practice.

Learning and Ways of Knowing (Location: Education Center Lobby)

9:20am – 9:40am
The Impact of Tutoring at UMF
Tessa Tillman
This research evaluates the impact of peer tutoring provided at UMF on student academic outcomes. By analyzing data across diverse demographics and the role of assigned course tutors, the study investigates how support influences student engagement. The study focuses on key factors such as the Gateways to Success program, performance across disciplines, and the academic progress of students within specific GPA brackets. These findings will offer a data-driven foundation for optimizing support and bridging achievement gaps for students at UMF.
(Faculty Sponsor: Chris Bennett)
9:40am – 10:00am
How does the syntax of the target language create difficulties for the translator of Christian lyrics? How are these difficulties addressed in different languages?
Peter Wannemacher
Translation is complicated. Poetry is more difficult. Translating hymns to be sung together in different languages adds an extra dimension to the task. How do differences in syntax complicate and enrich the task of bringing different languages together in worship?
10:00am – 10:20am
They Come at Night: Exploring Depictions of Feminism, Queerness, and Race through Vampiric Form
Kathryn Grover (Wilson Scholar)
This project examines the figure of the vampire in popular media, and how it works as a manifestation of societal fears and anxieties, in relation to ideas of feminism, queer identity, and race. Following chronologically from Bram Stoker’s original novel to 2025, this presentation uses monster theory such as Freud’s “The Uncanny” and Kristeva’s “Abjection” to explore how these fears manifest in the vampire. It also looks at how changing cultural attitudes, and social acceptance towards minority groups, has led the vampire to go from a horrific monster to a tragic yet relatable figure of the night.
(Faculty Sponsor: Misty Krueger)
10:20am – 10:40am
Brief Intro to the Enneagram and How It Can Help
Virginia Barrows
This session provides a brief introduction to the Enneagram, a personality framework outlining nine core patterns of motivation and behavior. Participants will learn how the system goes beyond traits to explore underlying fears, desires, and growth paths. The session highlights practical applications in emotional regulation, relationships, workplace dynamics, and counseling contexts. Common misconceptions will be addressed to clarify how the Enneagram serves as a reflective tool rather than a labeling system. Attendees will leave with foundational knowledge and actionable insight into how increased awareness can support intentional change and more effective connection with others.
10:40am – 11:00am
BREAK
1:00pm – 1:20pm
My Writing and Trolsk
Musette White
As part of my honors-enhanced Advanced Fiction Writing class, I will talk about who I am as a writer — my goals, preferred genres of writing, and writing aesthetic, including the things that I have read, watched, or consumed in some way that influenced my writing — and the story I have been working on in this class, including an overview of the world, the plot (what I have and hope it to be), the characters, the sources of inspiration for this story, and how it came to be.
(Faculty Sponsor: Lewis Robinson)
1:20pm – 4:00pm
Findings from HON 377’s Fanfic Deep Dive Projects
Students: Winter Adams, Bonnie Bragdon, Erin Butler, Dante Capone, Nataliya Delvalle, Austen Follansbee, Katie Gasper, Isabelle Gerken, Maddy German, Paige Gonya, Kathryn Grover, Madisyn McAlister, Rainier Murray, Josie Romatelli, Sonny Shouse, Jacie Strander, Anabelle Taff, Abby Washburn, Catherine White, Musette White, Nicollette Wood
Students from HON 377: Fanfiction will present findings from their deep dives into the fanfics of their favorite fandoms, including those focused on anime, films, television and internet series, board games, video games, literature, and celebrities.
(Faculty Sponsor: Misty Krueger)
4:00pm – 4:20pm
The Secrets of Japanese Words and Sentences
Reilly McCabe
Why is it that the sentence “りんごをたべます” (which in Japanese would sound like: ringo wo tabemasu) can be translated word for word as “apple eat” or “apples eat”, but means “I eat an apple” or “I eat apples” in English? This presentation will answer that question and uncover some of the differences in building words (morphology) and forming sentences (syntax) in Japanese and English. Using examples of simple English and Japanese words and phrases, we will examine a few foundational rules of morphology and syntax in both languages.
(Faculty Sponsor: Denisa Cundick)

Innovative Technologies (Location: Student Center)

9:00am – 10:40am & 11:00am – 11:40am
Narratological Approaches to Novel Storytelling Techniques in Video Games
Presenters: Kaiden Clark, Paz Clark, Katie Gasper, Nevyn Harvey, Zac Holt, Ella Joy, Eli Knowles, Andrew LaFlamme, Milo Melchert, Tristan Mitchell, Jace Pelletier, Finn Robinson, Anabelle Taff, Kylee Walton, Cole Writeout
The last several decades have witnessed video games emerge as a popular and vital platform for storytelling. Along the way, video games have developed innovative narrative strategies that incorporate new technologies and user dynamics to push beyond the limits of other traditional story-based genres like fiction and films. This set of panel discussions will draw from the field of narratology to analyze several such recent video games. Beyond probing video games’ novel approaches to storytelling, these papers will also contend for the genre’s unique capacity to disrupt well-worn ways of representing human experiences.
(Faculty Sponsor: Stephen Grandchamp)

Social Dynamics & Justice (Location: Lincoln Auditorium)

9:00am – 9:20am
The Modern Global Ethics of Archaeological Excavation
Bryson Carr
The purpose of this research is to question archaeological excavation and its ethics of excavating sites of cultural importance. This research begins in what could be considered the catalyst of modern archaeological excavation, the Clovis Point—one of the earliest sites in the Americas to have its age confirmed through early radiocarbon dating methodologies—opening up ethical dilemmas concerning modern-day global excavation. This research seeks to determine the pros and cons of both sides in hopes of finding a middle ground or compromise.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
9:20am – 9:40am
The Underground Railroad and Quilt Codes
Abby Washburn
The Underground Railroad was the nickname given to the pathways escaping enslaved people followed from the southern United States to freedom in the North and Canada with the help of “conductors.” This research explores stories and myths about coded messages, particularly quilts, examining their possible existence and implications. Findings draw from existing research and communications with museums and quilting societies.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
9:40am – 10:00am
The Transition and Adoption of Oral Health Behaviors into Adulthood
Rachel Boucher
Untreated dental caries is the most common disease globally, affecting around 2.5 billion people, with periodontal disease affecting another 1 billion. This study examines how oral health behaviors transition from childhood into adulthood through surveys, interviews, and existing research. It highlights how early habits influence long-term health outcomes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:00am – 10:20am
Greek Mythology in Modern Society: How Reinterpretations Change the Narrative
River Potter
Greek mythology continues to shape modern culture through literature, film, and art. This research uses literary analysis and interviews to explore how myths are reinterpreted to reinforce or challenge cultural values and social norms. It examines why mythology persists and how it evolves.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:20am – 10:40am
Ways to War: Influences on Ritual, Material, Tactical, and Strategic Aspects of Warfare in Classical Antiquity
Joseph Seastrand
This project explores warfare in the ancient Greek and Roman world as a social and cultural phenomenon. It examines how societal factors influenced military tactics and how these approaches evolved through cultural interactions.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:40am – 11:00am
BREAK
11:00am – 11:20am
Settlement Choices of the Northern Picts
Adam Tosch
This research re-examines theories about settlement selection among the Northern Picts in early Scotland. Through comparative analysis, it suggests settlement strategies were shaped more by cultural positioning than environmental necessity.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
11:20am – 11:55am
The Invention of Illegal Immigration: A Scrapbook of Surveillance and Defiance
Dr. Michael Schoeppner (Trustee Professor)
This lecture explores the origins of illegal immigration in 19th-century America, focusing on how free Black people were targeted by early border laws. It highlights the racial foundations of immigration law and the strategies used to resist criminalization.
11:55am – 12:00pm
Announcement of Walter Sargent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
2:00pm – 2:20pm
Trans People’s Lived Experience(s) and Trans Rights in Modern-Day United States
Ella Joy
This research explores how the current political climate affects transgender individuals in the U.S., examining access to rights and lived experiences. It emphasizes the importance of trans rights and visibility.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
2:20pm – 2:40pm
Fair Hill’s Human Geography
Evelyn Poteet
This project documents the cultural landscape of Fair Hill, Maryland through interviews and historical analysis, presented as an ArcGIS StoryMap.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
2:40pm – 3:00pm
Exploring the Relationship between Alcohol Use, Peer Influences & Mental Health Among College Students at UMF
Megan Dionne (Wilson Scholar)
This study analyzes how peer influence and attitudes shape alcohol use among UMF students using survey data and behavioral theory. Findings aim to support prevention strategies.
(Faculty Sponsor: Kate Callahan)
3:00pm – 3:20pm
Forensic Psychology Approaches to the Justice System as a Native American: A Comparative Analysis of Judicial Systems
Sydney Booth
This study compares tribal, state, and federal justice systems through Native American experiences, highlighting cultural sensitivity and outcomes in legal processes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Karen Barrett)

Social Dynamics & Justice (Location: The Landing)

9:00am – 9:20am
The Modern Global Ethics of Archaeological Excavation
Bryson Carr
The purpose of this research is to question archaeological excavation and its ethics of excavating sites of cultural importance. This research begins in what could be considered the catalyst of modern archaeological excavation, the Clovis Point—one of the earliest sites in the Americas to have its age confirmed through early radiocarbon dating methodologies—opening up ethical dilemmas concerning modern-day global excavation. This research seeks to determine the pros and cons of both sides in hopes of finding a middle ground or compromise.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
9:20am – 9:40am
The Underground Railroad and Quilt Codes
Abby Washburn
The Underground Railroad was the nickname given to the pathways escaping enslaved people followed from the southern United States to freedom in the North and Canada with the help of “conductors.” This research explores stories and myths about coded messages, particularly quilts, examining their possible existence and implications. Findings draw from existing research and communications with museums and quilting societies.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
9:40am – 10:00am
The Transition and Adoption of Oral Health Behaviors into Adulthood
Rachel Boucher
Untreated dental caries is the most common disease globally, affecting around 2.5 billion people, with periodontal disease affecting another 1 billion. This study examines how oral health behaviors transition from childhood into adulthood through surveys, interviews, and existing research. It highlights how early habits influence long-term health outcomes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:00am – 10:20am
Greek Mythology in Modern Society: How Reinterpretations Change the Narrative
River Potter
Greek mythology continues to shape modern culture through literature, film, and art. This research uses literary analysis and interviews to explore how myths are reinterpreted to reinforce or challenge cultural values and social norms. It examines why mythology persists and how it evolves.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:20am – 10:40am
Ways to War: Influences on Ritual, Material, Tactical, and Strategic Aspects of Warfare in Classical Antiquity
Joseph Seastrand
This project explores warfare in the ancient Greek and Roman world as a social and cultural phenomenon. It examines how societal factors influenced military tactics and how these approaches evolved through cultural interactions.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
10:40am – 11:00am
BREAK
11:00am – 11:20am
Settlement Choices of the Northern Picts
Adam Tosch
This research re-examines theories about settlement selection among the Northern Picts in early Scotland. Through comparative analysis, it suggests settlement strategies were shaped more by cultural positioning than environmental necessity.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
11:20am – 11:55am
The Invention of Illegal Immigration: A Scrapbook of Surveillance and Defiance
Dr. Michael Schoeppner (Trustee Professor)
This lecture explores the origins of illegal immigration in 19th-century America, focusing on how free Black people were targeted by early border laws. It highlights the racial foundations of immigration law and the strategies used to resist criminalization.
11:55am – 12:00pm
Announcement of Walter Sargent Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
2:00pm – 2:20pm
Trans People’s Lived Experience(s) and Trans Rights in Modern-Day United States
Ella Joy
This research explores how the current political climate affects transgender individuals in the U.S., examining access to rights and lived experiences. It emphasizes the importance of trans rights and visibility.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
2:20pm – 2:40pm
Fair Hill’s Human Geography
Evelyn Poteet
This project documents the cultural landscape of Fair Hill, Maryland through interviews and historical analysis, presented as an ArcGIS StoryMap.
(Faculty Sponsor: Nicole Kellett)
2:40pm – 3:00pm
Exploring the Relationship between Alcohol Use, Peer Influences & Mental Health Among College Students at UMF
Megan Dionne (Wilson Scholar)
This study analyzes how peer influence and attitudes shape alcohol use among UMF students using survey data and behavioral theory. Findings aim to support prevention strategies.
(Faculty Sponsor: Kate Callahan)
3:00pm – 3:20pm
Forensic Psychology Approaches to the Justice System as a Native American: A Comparative Analysis of Judicial Systems
Sydney Booth
This study compares tribal, state, and federal justice systems through Native American experiences, highlighting cultural sensitivity and outcomes in legal processes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Karen Barrett)

Poster Session (Location: North Dining Hall)

Please note that all poster presenters are expected to be at their poster for at least one hour, either between 11:00am and 12:00pm or between 1:00pm and 2:00pm. The posters will be set up between 9:00am and 10:00am and should be left up until 3pm.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

Poster #1 Tick Zoonosis in Farmington: A Website Resource
Cameron McGrath, Zoey Mclaughlin, Lily Bedard, Logan Burns, Quinn Conroy, Moriah Doody, Lou Elliott, Wren Kennison, Monica Lewis, Kaitlyn Minott, Eryka Moretto, Olivia Smart, Tala Soule, Nora Tobey, Niesa Wallace, Aldia Willard
Tick-borne zoonotic diseases are an increasing concern in Maine. With evidence suggesting a rise in tick abundance driven by multiple environmental and anthropogenic factors, evaluating disease risk is critical for guiding public health responses. The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation class created a website highlighting ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Farmington area. It includes information on local tick species, hypothesized drivers of tick expansion, and an overview of an ongoing tick zoonosis research project, including student participants, in the area. The website is intended to deepen the understanding of local tick population trends and the increasing threat of tick-borne illnesses.
(Faculty Sponsor: Donelle Schwalm)
Poster #2 Tick Zoonotic Disease Prevalence in the Greater Farmington Region
Ryan Martin-Hachey (Wilson Fellow)
We studied tick zoonosis (i.e., Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Borrelia (Lyme)) in the greater Farmington area. Our objective was to assess the influence of different land use types (i.e., rural yard, urban yard, undeveloped, urban semideveloped) on tick zoonosis prevalence. Preliminary results from 38 sites and 248 ticks showed ticks were found most commonly in rural yards (56% of ticks analyzed). Disease prevalence was also highest in ticks collected from rural yards (33.82% Borrelia and 22.43% Anaplasmosis) compared to other land use types (Range: 0–13% for Borrelia and 0–7% for Anaplasmosis). Babesiosis test results are forthcoming.
(Faculty Sponsor: Donelle Schwalm)
Poster #3 Summer Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics in Western Maine Mountain Ponds
Hazel McEnaney (Wilson Scholar)
Small, high-elevation headwater ponds in western Maine are particularly sensitive to climate-driven changes in summer stratification due to their size and depth. This study examines dissolved oxygen dynamics in three proximal high-elevation ponds: Mountain, Cranberry, and Midway, using continuous, high-frequency water temperature and dissolved oxygen data collected during 2023 and 2024. Two ponds, Mountain and Midway, show steady, nearly linear oxygen depletion during summer, whereas Cranberry Pond reaches anoxic conditions much more quickly. The results suggest that stratification duration alone does not predict hypoxia severity and highlight the importance of pond-specific controls on benthic oxygen dynamics under continued climate warming.
(Faculty Sponsor: Julia Daly)
Posters #4-7 Independent Student Projects in Forest Ecology & Conservation
Forest Ecology & Conservation students
Students in Forest Ecology & Conservation (BIO 294) will present their independent field projects in four posters, one per team. The projects will focus on Maine forest ecosystems, conservation issues, and explorations aimed at better understanding the nature of Maine forests and how and why they are constantly changing.
(Faculty Sponsor: Drew Barton)
Poster #8 Effects of Calls on Foraging in Feeder Birds
Spencer Brennick (Wilson Scholar)
Feeding birds is a popular activity in the developed world. Outside of breeding season, many birds move around and forage in mixed-species flocks. These birds will forage at feeders together. I wanted to know if when these birds alarm call, is there a cross-species response? To answer this, I am observing a bird feeder and counting visits before and after I play different bird species’ alarm calls through a speaker.
(Faculty Sponsor: Evan Jackson)
Poster #9 Using Camera-bucket Traps to Assess the Relationship Between Small Mammal Communities and Tick-borne Zoonotic Diseases
Nora Hull
Some small mammal species serve as highly competent reservoirs for facilitating the spread of devastating zoonotic diseases, such as Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), by black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). A positive correlation has been previously observed between small mammal hosts and zoonotic disease load in black-legged ticks. Using the bucket camera trapping method for small mammals as well as “dragging” and “flagging” methods to collect black-legged ticks, we examined the relationship between the small mammal population, black-legged tick population, and zoonotic load in Farmington, Maine. Preliminary results indicate differences in small mammal population density and season, depending on site type.
(Faculty Sponsor: Donelle Schwalm)
Poster #10 The Effect of Habitat Type on Mesocarnivore Distributions and Subsequent Tick-Borne Zoonotic Disease Prevalence
Salfa Hendrix (Wilson Scholar)
Mesocarnivores play a wide range of roles within ecosystems due to their size, diets, habitats and activity levels. Mesocarnivores alter population sizes of prey species, ranging from deer to small mammals, which are prominent hosts for ticks and tick-based zoonotic diseases. Quantifying distributions of mesocarnivores serves for future conservation references and as a preview of the potential for zoonotic disease prevalence and spread. We used scent lure baited game cameras, a non-invasive monitoring method, to estimate mesocarnivore population densities and community composition in different habitat types in relation to zoonotic disease distribution.
(Faculty Sponsor: Donelle Schwalm)
Poster #11 Juvenile Atlantic Salmon Growth Overtime in Orbeton Stream
Christopher Houdeshell (Wilson Scholar)
Atlantic salmon have faced serious declines in population with the only wild populations in the United States being found in Maine. These declines have been greatly contributed to human constructed barriers to migration and other anthropogenic factors. The migratory Atlantic salmon spawn in a limited number of rivers including some streams in western Maine. Orbeton stream in TOWN NAME and some other surrounding streams contains ideal salmon spawning habitat and have been the sites of various salmon restoration and monitoring activities. The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) collected scales from Atlantic salmon parr in Orbeton stream from 2007 to 2018. These scales were imaged under a microscope and measured with image J to find variation in growth between different years. Variation between years was then compared to temperature differences between the years as a possible explanatory variable for variation in growth.
(Faculty Sponsor: Rachel Hovel)
Poster #12 Day Roamers vs Night Roamers: Temporal Partitioning between Golden Eagles & Mesocarnivores
Brianna Benson (Wilson Fellow)
Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are endangered in Maine. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife utilizes over 100 baited cameras to monitor the species distribution. We used date and time-stamped images from these camera stations to explore temporal partitioning between golden eagles, other diurnal raptors, and nocturnal mesocarnivores, which may exclude raptors from food sources. I examined 322 images from 5 different sites and documented 8 golden eagles, 59 other raptors, and 164 mesocarnivores. Preliminary analysis suggests raptor activity is mostly diurnal and mesocarnivore activity is mostly nocturnal, with no temporal overlap observed between golden eagles and other species.
(Faculty Sponsor: Donelle Schwalm)
Poster #13 Stream water signature of the world’s richest lithium deposit (in our backyard!)
Joe Kalisz, Holland Poisson, and Cole Rode
The Plumbago North lithium deposit, while not the world’s largest (although it contains sufficient lithium for 15 million EV batteries), is the richest. As expected, a two-year study of stream water chemistry reveals peak lithium concentrations below the pilot quarry, dilution proportional to runoff, and all concentrations well below EPA safe limits. Interestingly, major solutes present an unexpected pattern, with minima below the quarry and increasing concentrations downstream.
(Faculty Sponsor: Doug Reusch)

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Poster #14 Turning a UMF Expense into Triple Revenue: Environmental, Financial, and Educational
Liana Sawyer, Sophia Winters, and Paige Gonya
Our project aims to perform carbon dioxide removal (CDR) by turning caustic waste ash from the UMF biomass plant into a PFAS-free, potassium and phosphorus-rich fertilizer for local use. It also serves as an educational example of scalable CDR processes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Doug Reusch)
Poster #15 Quantifying gene expression patterns in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) ovaries using novel agonists and phoenixin to understand SREB functions
Nora Hull, Jade Martens, Taylor-Jeffery Doone
This study investigates ovarian gene expression changes in mummichog using novel agonists and phoenixin. Results show notable changes across metabolic, neurological, and reproductive pathways.
(Faculty Sponsor: Timothy Breton)
Poster #16 Ovarian gene expression comparisons following the use of SREB receptor agonists and endogenous phoenixin across zebrafish (Danion rerio), mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), and pufferfish (Dichotomyctere nigroviridis)
Isabella Cain, Keira McGrath, and Taylor-Jeffrey Doone
This project compares ovarian gene expression across three fish species exposed to novel agonists and phoenixin, revealing species-specific responses and shared pathways.
(Faculty Sponsor: Timothy Breton)
Poster #17 Investigating the structure of the SREB G protein-coupled receptor family to better understand novel agonist effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio), mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), and pufferfish (Dichotomyctere nigroviridis) ovaries
Ryan Martin-Hachey, Haley Stewart
This study compares SREB receptor structures across species using modeling tools, identifying similarities and key amino acids involved in ligand binding.
(Faculty Sponsor: Timothy Breton)

LEARNING AND WAYS OF KNOWING

Poster #18 A geology-psychology collaboration – what?
Britt Goodrum, Aiden Grant, Connor Harty, Skylar Low, Noel Matista, Zoey Pennell, Wyeth Purkiss, Tyler Rosa, Emma Syphers
This project translates essays from “The Geological Mind,” exploring connections between geologic and cognitive processes.
(Faculty Sponsor: Doug Reusch)
Poster #19 Using Book-Making to Build Content Knowledge in Math, Science, and Social Studies
Jalyn Drost and Mya Williams (Wilson Scholars)
This project explores how book-making can support interdisciplinary learning and pedagogical development in elementary education.
(Faculty Sponsor: Kathryn Will)
Poster #20 Evaluating accessibility in geoscience programs at New England universities for students with physical disabilities
Marin Cupples
This research evaluates accessibility gaps and best practices in geoscience programs to support students with physical disabilities.
(Faculty Sponsor: Doug Reusch)

SOCIAL DYNAMICS AND JUSTICE

Poster #21 The Pumpkin Patch Closet Project
Grace Macomber, Maya Gomez, Lillian Bennett
This project organized a community event providing free Halloween costumes to children, successfully raising funds and collecting donations to support participation.
Poster #22 Exploring the Relationship between Alcohol Use, Peer Influences & Mental Health Among College Students at UMF
Megan Dionne (Wilson Scholar)
This study examines how peer norms and attitudes influence alcohol-related behaviors among college students, supporting prevention strategies.
(Faculty Sponsor: Kate Callahan)

CREATIVE PURSUITS IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES

Posters #23-34 Research Methods in Psychology: Results of Twelve Independent Investigations
Lillian Bennett, Katherine Bradley, Christina Carr, Maya Gomez, Katie Lipoma, Benjamin Mello, MaKenzie Nadeau, Kay MacClellan, Bobbi Smalley, Emma Towers, Hayzel Wallace
Twelve Psychology majors present independent research projects exploring topics such as personality, behavior, social dynamics, and mental health.
(Faculty Sponsor: Karol Maybury)

Block Schedule

Map

Wilson Scholars and Fellows

The Michael D. Wilson Scholars and Fellows program recognizes some of UMF’s most talented students across all disciplines. Each student receives funding to support an original research or creative project, reflecting UMF’s commitment to undergraduate scholarship and faculty mentoring. Since its launch in 2006, and expanded in 2007 to include full-year Fellow awards, the program has supported more than 250 students. Faculty mentors guide scholars through proposal development, research methodology, and post-graduate opportunities. Each year, students showcase their work at the UMF Symposium.

Learn about the 25-26 Wilson Scholars

Image of Michael D. Wilson fishing at a stream

History

First held in February 1999, the UMF Symposium has grown into a cherished university tradition. Each spring, the campus community pauses from classes and routines to celebrate and share the exciting work of students.

The event was originally named in honor of Michael D. Wilson—made possible by a gift from Michael and Susan Angelides. A 1976 UMF graduate, Wilson was passionate about teaching, helping children grow, and finding connection in the beauty of the wilderness. His life was tragically cut short in 1977, just as he was preparing to begin a new teaching position in Aroostook County.

View past year program: Symposium 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999.

External image of university of maine sign with a symposium banner below and flowers blooming.

Symposium Day:
April 15, 2026