Past Students

Jessica Vorse, B.S.

she/her/hers

The College of Wooster, B.S. in Biology, 2019

UNE, M.S. in Marine Science, 2022

Jessica was a M.S. student in Marine Science and co-advised by Dr. Kristin Burkholder (School of Biological Sciences) and Dr. Carrie Byron (School of Marine and Environmental Programs).  Jess’s research focused on post-harvest conditions that impact microbiological safety of edible seaweed.  Her work was truly interdisciplinary and allowed her to engage in microbiology bench work while also interacting with         collaborators in the Maine seaweed industry.

Collen Moody

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, 2022

Colleen studied the effect of post-harvest conditions on microbiological safety of edible seaweed.  Her findings will inform food safety practices used by Maine’s growing seafood industry.

Justin Dixson

he/him/his

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, 2022

Justin studied whether microplastics can serve as vectors for pathogen transport into marine organisms used for human food consumption.  He also played hockey for UNE.

Afnan Saleem Yahya

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology with minors in Public Health and Health, Wellness, and Society, 2022

Afnan’s project examined the potential for novel compounds to increase Staphylococcal susceptibility to antibiotics. Her work will provide insight to one novel approach to multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Katharina Roese, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, 2021

UNE, M.S. in Biology, 2022

Kati was a 4+1 M.S. student in Biology and studied the impact of novel compounds on Staphylococcal biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility. Her work will aid in our understanding of mechanisms by which we may impair bacterial biofilm development and enhance efficacy of existing antimicrobials.

Lyle Massoia, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, 2022

UNE, M.S. in Biology, 2024

Lyle was a 4+2 M.S. student in Biology and studied whether micro plastics can serve as vectors for pathogen transport into marine organisms used for human food consumption. Her work will shed light on the potential food safety impact of ocean micro plastics.

Lauren Cooper, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology with a minor in Public Health, 2023

Lauren’s project examined the potential for novel hybrid compounds to increase Staphylococcal susceptibility to antibiotics and assisted with Kati’s project.

Ashley Kand, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology (Pre-Dental, 3+4), with a minor in Chemistry, 2022

 

Justin Trueira, B.S.

he/him/his

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, with minors in Public Health and Health, Wellness, and Society, 2023

Justin assisted with our seaweed food safety projects, which examine the impact of post-harvest storage conditions and processing methods with microbial safety of seaweed.

 

Carly Stringer, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, 2023

Carly assisted with our seaweed food safety projects, which examine the impact of post-harvest storage conditions and processing methods with microbial safety of seaweed.

 

Sarah Swanick, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology, with a minor in Nutrition, 2023

 

Anjana Govindaraj, B.S.

she/her/hers

UNE, B.S. in Medical Biology (3+4 COM track), with a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society, 2024

 

Amber-Rae Pesek

she/her/hers