Students in the Spotlight
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UMaine Alumnus Dr. Michael Burgess Featured in The Montgomery News
Posted February 17, 2011
The Montgomery News of Fort Washington in Pennsylvania, has a story about Dr. Michael Burgess, a recent UMaine Doctor o
f Philosophy in Ecology and Environmental Sciences graduate who was hired as a research botanist at the Morris Arboretum. Burgess completed his dissertation research on the genus Amelanchier, known as the serviceberry in December of 2010. Burgess will be responsible for updating and redesigning the Pennsylania Flora Project website. -
Intermedia Students Oren Darling and Dennis St Pierre Featured at Night Lights at the Gardens in Buffalo, NY
Posted February 17, 2011
Intermedia MFA students Oren Darling and Dennis St. Pierre were featured as guest performers at Night Lights at the Gardens on February 12th at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in Buffalo, NY. The 110 year old gardens are a national historic site built by Lord & Burnham.
Night Lights at the Gardens is a three week event designed by SitlerHQ and Volt Vision, Inc. Opening Thursday, February 3rd, it features cutting-edge architectural and theater lighting carefully placed throughout multiple indoor environments, including rainforest, desert, and a South American room with a 30-foot waterfall.
During their performances, Oren and Dennis were given full control of the lighting installed by the SitlerHQ and Volt Vision team. Using custom software, Volt Vision prototype hardware, and a combination of voice, pre-recorded audio, and ambient sound, the performers will add a new dimension to this already unique event.
Shortly before moving to Maine in August 2010, Oren collaborated with the Volt Vision and SitlerHQ team on an interactive segment of Night Lights at the Heron, a lighting installation on a one-mile trail through the forests of southwestern New York State.
Lighting test on Waterfall by Oren Darling at the Botanical Gardens
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Samuel Belknap, Master of Science in Quaternary and Climate Studies Discovers Eviidence of the Oldest Domesticated Dog in the Americas
Posted, January 11, 2011Master of Science in Quaternary and Climate Studies student, Samuel Belknap has discovered evidence of the oldest known domesticated dog in the Americas. “This is an important scientific discovery that can tell us not only a lot about the genetic history of dogs but of the interactions between humans and dogs in the past,” said Belknap. “Not only were they most likely companions as they are today, they served as protection, hunting assistants, and also as a food source.” The bone fragment was discovered while Belknap was analyzing a dried out sample of human excrement that was unearthed in Texas. Carbon dating testing indicates that the bone is 9,400 years old.
Belknap, whose major advisor is Dr. Kristin Sobolik, has plans to graduate in May 2011.
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Bangor Daily News Features Master of Social Work Student, Kristina Minott and her Research on Addiction Recovery
Posted February 2, 2011
Master of Social Work student, Kristina Minott has been featured in the Bangor Daily News for her research on addiction recovery and the qualities of personal resiliency. Minott is seeking individuals in various stages of recovery for an anonymous survey designed to measure their resiliency. To see the survey, click here.
