BioME Student Showcase 2024
This spring, BioME held the sixth annual Student Showcase, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their presentation skills and share their passion for life science research.
The BioME Student Showcase is an exciting opportunity for aspirational scientists to showcase their passion for research and bioscience. Each year, Maine high school and college students present their original life science-focused research projects in competition for cash and academic prizes.
On April 27, 2024, BioME organized the sixth annual BioME Student Showcase University of Maine’s McGoldrick Center in Portland, ME. A panel of judges, industry experts, and mentors were present to evaluate the presentations of 12 high school, 8 undergraduate and 8 graduate students selected for their original biotech research.
The Showcase kicked off with the poster competitions for high school and college undergraduate students. Each student presented their poster, discussed their research, and fielded questions from the judges. Following a lunch break, winners were announced and then it was time for the college graduate students to take the stage. Participants presented their research or bioscience business plan through a 5-minute pitch, followed by an in-depth Q&A session to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject. After a snack break, attendees and contestants convened for the winners announcement and award presentations.
BioME Student Showcase Top Finalists
College Graduate Finalists
- 1st Place – Sarah Holbrook, University of Maine
A Novel Category of Neuromuscular Disease: A Quest for a Cure - 2nd Place – Lola Holcomb, University of Maine
Developing “Microbiome Medicine” with Broccoli and Bacteria - 3rd Place – Samantha Costa, University of Maine
Increased PD-L1 expression in obese mice leads to bone marrow immunosuppression and increases the susceptibility for bone marrow metastases
College Undergraduate Finalists
- 1st Place – Raheem Khadour, College of the Atlantic
Pathways to establish a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) mouse model - 2nd Place – Michael Darby, University of New England
In vitro Characterization of CELF4 RNA Binding Protein in Growth Factor Signaling - 3rd Place – Katherine Knox, University of Southern Maine
Researching the Role of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins in the Bone Microenvironment of Mice Injected with Murine Myeloma Cells
High School Finalists
- 1st Place – Porter Mikesell, Bangor High School
Novel Use of Modified Honeycomb Pneumatic Networks for Bed Sore Prevention - 2nd Place – Albert Bai, John Bapst Memorial High School
Blueberry-Born Nanovesticles as a Potential Antioxidant for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases - 3rd Place – Lucy Shaw, Cape Elizabeth High School
Zwitterionic-Coated Membrane Filter Performance in the Treatment of Shrimp Pond Wastewater - 3rd Place – Aurora Milton, Cape Elizabeth High School
Exploration of Bio-Textiles for a Sustainable Fashion Industry
This year, we had a tie for 3rd place! BioME and judges felt that both presentations deserved recognition and decided to present two 3rd place awards.
The BioME Student Showcase started as an initiative in 2019 to support innovation and commercialization of student ideas in Maine, as well as connect current students with potential future employers and entrepreneurial resources in the state. The event was sponsored by Maine Technology Institute, The Roux Institute, FocusMaine, M&T Bank and LGC Clinical Diagnostics.
BioME Student Showcase Judges
Gary Goodrich – Past President of the Bioscience Association of Maine Board of Directors
Stephen Pelsue, PhD – Manager of Discovery, Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc.
Matt Lynes, PhD – Faculty Scientist, MaineHealth Institute for Research
Bethany Fortier – Scientist I, Discovery and Tech Futures R&D, IDEXX
Lucas Bennett – Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maine
Jessica Pawlak – Director, New Product Development, Biochemistry and Serology, LGC Clinical Diagnostics
Contestants
High School Contestants
Blueberry-Born Nanovesicles as Potential Antioxidants for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases, Albert Bai, John Bapst Memorial High School
Glowing Shrimp? The effects of polyethylene (PE) microplastics on Palaemon paludosus, Ella D’Auria, John Bapst Memorial High School
How Music Genres Affect Milk Production in Dairy Cows, Hannah Dean, Dexter Regional High School
Beyond the Surface: Investigating the Presence of Microplastics in Maine’s Soils , Marta Leary-Forrey, Cape Elizabeth High School
Novel Use of Honey Comb Pnumatic Networks for Bedsore Prevention, Porter Mikesell, Bangor High School
Exploration of Bio-Textiles for a Sustainable Fashion Industry, Aurora Milton, Cape Elizabeth High School
Biodegradable Seaweed Gum, Hartson Mosunic, Cape Elizabeth High School
Evaluation of Zwitterionic-Coated Membrane Filter Performance in the Treatment of Shrimp Pond Wastewater, Lucy Shaw, Cape Elizabeth High School
The Effect of Disrupting the Ryanodine Receptor on Neuronal and Synaptic Morphology, Brynn Stephenson, Hancock County Technical Center
Baxter Academy Plastics Project, Eliot Verry-Gardella, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science
Using Pleurotus Ostreatus fungi to biodegrade food based oil and fat byproducts, Inga Yeo, Maine Coast Waldorf School
Lichens as biomonitors: The effect of road pollution on species diversity and the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for lichens in Robinson Woods, Emma Young, Cape Elizabeth High School
College Undergraduate Contestants
In vitro Characterization of CELF4 RNA Binding Protein in Growth Factor Signaling, Michael Casey Darby, University of New England
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) compensate for impaired fast-twitch muscle activity by increasing slower movements, Troy Hupper, University of Maine
Investigating Vital Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Pathogen Response in Neutropenic Individuals, Ryan Illig, University of Southern Maine
Pathways to establish a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) mouse model, Raheem Khadour, College of the Atlantic
Researching the role of fatty acid binding proteins in the bone microenvironment of mice injected with murine myeloma cells, Katherine Knox, University of Southern Maine
Protective Effects of Winterberry Leaf Extract on Caenorhabditis Elegans with Manganese Induced Toxicity, Leah Mastrianno, University of Maine
Mixotrophic growth and ingestion rate of Kryptoperidinium triquetrum under different light levels, Mason Michael Trottier, Maine Maritime Academy
How Certain Marine Phytoplankton Species Are Being Affected by Ocean Acidification Along the U.S East Coast, Joseph Zeno, University of Maine
College Graduate Contestants
Regulation of synapse formation and function in C. elegans, Kwaku Agyekum, University of Maine
Molecular and Immunological Analysis of Avipoxvirus, Natalie Barrett, University of Southern Maine
Increased PD-L1 expression in obese mice leads to bone marrow immunosuppression and increases the susceptibility for bone marrow metastases, Samantha Costa, University of Maine
A Novel Category of Neuromuscular Disease: A Quest for a Cure, Sarah Holbrook, University of Maine
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Lola Holcomb, University of Maine
Investigating a Novel Negative Regulator of Sensory Neuron Sensitivity and Its Promise as an Alternative Therapeutic Target for Chronic Pain Management, Madison Mueth, University of Maine
Influence of Woody Biochar as a Remediator on the Reduction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Uptake in Two Vegetable Crops: A Paired Field and Greenhouse Study, Sandesh Thapa, University of Maine
EYE2HEART blood circulation simulator: Unveiling Cardiovascular Health Through Ocular Dynamics, Mohamed Zaid, University of Maine
Thank you event sponsors
