University of New England

Learning about the scientific process, how science is done, through hands-on experience is an integral component of courses in the Department of Biological Science. All programs stress the importance of field opportunities, research experience and experiential learning. Moreover, the Life Science Honors Program engages advanced students in high quality, independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

The marine-based programs benefit from the University’s new Marine Science Education and Research Center, in addition to the University’s ideal coastal setting with the ocean, estuary, freshwater marshes, ponds, major river drainage basins and large lakes just minutes from campus.

The medical-related programs benefit from much of the faculty's ongoing research within the Department of Biological Sciences and Departments of Chemistry and Physics. In addition, the faculty in the College of Health Professions and College of Osteopathic Medicine encourage undergraduate research in their laboratories on both campuses. Research interests range from neuromuscular development to disease processes and pain management.


Recent Examples of Internships and Student Research

The following are examples of some recent internships that students in the Department of Biological Sciences have completed. Some of these examples are accompanied by more complete profiles of the students and their experiences as biological sciences students at UNE.

Crystal Faulkner '08, a marine biology major, and Sean McQuilken '08, an aquaculture and aquarium science major, participated in a 12-day research cruise in the Gulf of Maine as interns with Bigelow Laboratory Senior Research Scientist Cindy Pilskaln. Press release.

Kerra Gearinger '08, a marine biology major, and Stacey M. Keith '07, an aquarium and aquaculture major, spent seven weeks on a National Science Foundation-funded research cruise to the Antarctic Oct. 21 - Dec. 16, 2005. Profiles and blog.

Lindsay Murray-Miller '06, a health sciences major, worked on her honors thesis with professor Markus Frederich, Ph.D. She studied temperature tolerance in marine invertebrates using critical temperatures in a cardiovascular model. Profile.

Kelsey Walton '06, a medical biology major with a  chemistry minor, conducted research for three years in the laboratory of Geoff Ganter, Ph.D. Through the honors program she received funding to work on her honors thesis project, which studied the effects of the steroid hormone ecdysone on the behavior of the adult male fruit fly. Kelsy is currently a medical student at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Profile.

Ashley Below '05, a marine biology student, spent 24 days aboard a NSF research vessel on an expedition to the Antarctic to study the effects of increased ultraviolet light on the chemical composition of the principal species of Antarctic phytoplankton. Profile.

Susan Polans ’05, a dual marine biology/aquaculture major, is fascinated with fisheries. Using the internship as a kick-off to her graduate thesis research, Sue interned with the Saco River Salmon Club, which is conveniently located within walking distance of the University. As an intern, Sue assisted with all aspects of salmon hatchery fry operations, including daily fry maintenance and technical operations. Sue worked on the preparation of the club's operation's manual.

Nathalie Dube '04, as an undergraduate medical biology major, conducted a year-long research project on diabetes and cardiomyopathy. Nathalie received a research grant from the American Physiological Society. Upon graduation, she entered UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine in fall 2005. Profile.

Krissy Forman '04, a marine biology and environmental sciences double major, compared and analyzed data on deep ocean marine fauna from videotapes filmed by submersible remote-operated vehicles in two columns of water from off the coast of Japan. Profile.

Tina Marks '04, a biological sciences major, worked on a series of research projects assessing the effects of various antidepressants on learning and memory performance in different strains of mice. Tina received a research grant from the American Foundation of Pharmaceutical Education. Profile.

Danielle Denis ’03, a dual medical biology/pre-veterinary major who interned with the Animal Medical Clinic. Danielle wanted to combine academics, work and family into her busy semester, and so chose a veterinary hospital close to her home, where she could work on weekends. Assisting the veterinarian directly, Danielle observed surgeries, oversaw patient visits and assisted as needed and appropriate.

Jason Dugal '03, a medical biology major, worked on two research projects. His research with pharmacology professor David Mokler, Ph.D., of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, involved the study of various brain regions and the interconnection of these regions via specific pathways through experiments with various pharmacological agents on conscious rats. Jason also assisted mathematics professor Susan Gray Ph.D., in a research project on the pedagogy of teaching statistics.

John Lowery '03, a medical biology major, worked on developing novel opioid compounds that will have greater therapeutic efficacy with less side-effects compared to currently available drugs with professor Edward J. Bilsky, Ph.D. John is currently enrolled in a joint PhD/DO program at the University of New England. Profile.

Annette Beaulieu ’02, a medical biology major, wanted to experience the personal atmosphere of a family medical practice. Annette interned with William Frank, M.D., who has a family practice in Sanford, Maine. Her tasks included job shadowing, office preparation, greeting patients, and maintaining paperwork, and Annette was surprised to find herself also in the position of patient listener, regularly bending her medical ears for the many clients who frequented Dr. Frank's office.

Tim Manzo ’02, a medical biology major, interned with Winterhaven Assisted Living in Saco, Maine. Winterhaven is a medical assisted living center for the elderly. Tim wanted to work in a place that offered a small, intimate atmosphere, and he wanted direct clientcontact. Tim's duties included keeping company with the residents, transporting residents, cooking, cleaning, and assisting as necessary. Tim experienced and helped with manyaspects of assisted living, and found he really enjoyed sharing time with his clients.

Kelly McCrum ’02, a dual marine biology/environmental studies major, interned with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science in West Boothbay Harbor, Maine. As a lab technician, Kelly spent two consecutive weeks at sea during the summer of 2001 on a research vessel collecting samples for Alexandrium counts and distribution of algae. Then, in addition to her studies, she further pursued her internship throughout the fall of 2001, continuing her research part-time at Bigelow.

Anne Osborne ’02, a pre-physician assistant major, interned as a patient care technician with the York County Dialysis Center. Learning first-hand the immense demands of those in the medical field, Anne provided dialysis therapy, which included monitoring patients’ vital signs and progress on dialysis, patient education, and patient-care planning in a multi disciplinary setting. Profile.

Rachel Ringuette ’02, a marine biology major, interned with Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium. As an intern involved with the Aquarium’s Alaska Coast Exhibit, an outdoor whale tank, Rachel assisted the senior aquarist of cetaceans. Her duties included feeding Beluga whales, pool maintenance, exhibit maintenance and, to her delight, whale behavioral training. Additionally, Rachel worked on an academic project with Beluga whale reproduction, observing and collecting data and samples.

Sean Smith ’02, a dual marine biology/environmental science major, interned withthe Darling MarineCenter, a marine science laboratory in Maine.Sean worked as a research assistant,and assisted with a broad scale study of the American lobster, an organism that is not well documented, but that is integral to economies of working waterfront communities and tourism.

Tamieka Armstrong ’01, a marine biology major, worked as an intern with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland. Tamieka worked under the supervision of a plant ecologist, and her duties included: learning about trophic interactions in protozoa that focus on predator/prey parasitic relationships, collecting and experimenting with the manipulation of plankton, handling and processing protozoa, learning and using a variety of microscopic techniques, and enjoying the exploration of the greater Maryland area.


Internship / Research Opportunities

Depending on a student's preference for geographic location, housing, and work availability, it is common for students to seek out or design their own internship. Some students choose to work right at the university or in nearby established sites. A few students have had ocean research and international travel experiences with UNE faculty. Student researchers present their work at a college wide research symposium each spring semester.

Here are some internship opportunities:

Medical Sciences:
American Red Cross                    York County Dialysis Center
Biddeford Free Clinic                    Winterhaven Assisted Living Center
Animal Refuge League                 Southern Maine Medical Center
local family practices                    local research laboratories
animal shelters                             local hospitals


Marine Sciences:

New England Aquarium       UNE's Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center
Mystic Aquarium                  Bigelow Laboratories for Ocean Sciences
Animal Refuge League        Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
local veterinary hospitals     Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.


Internship Courses

Click for more information on internship courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.