Meet Our Student Ambassadors
My name is Grace Hodgkin and I’m a third generation Black Bear pursuing a B.S. in Biology on the Pre-Medical track at the University of Maine. I’ve worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Henry Lab at UMaine studying muscular dystrophy in zebrafish models and was selected for the Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program in 2024, where I studied human induced pluripotent stem cells in the Pera Lab. I continued as an academic year fellow from 2024-2025, and this fall I’ll be expanding this work into my independent research capstone.
Beyond the lab, I serve as President of the revitalized Biology Club and Vice President and co-founder of UMaine’s Red Cross Club. I also peer tutor Organic Chemistry I & II and represent student voices on the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences Undergraduate Advisory Board. I’m an active member of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, and my commitment to science began early with the Phage Genomics courses and the Schoodic Experience during my freshman year.
My dedication to healthcare extends into the community through volunteering in the medical-surgical unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center and working as a Pediatric Psychiatric Technician in the inpatient unit at Acadia Hospital. Currently, I’m applying to medical school with the goal of becoming a physician who combines research, service, and compassionate care to Maine communities.
Research
I’ve worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Henry Lab at UMaine studying muscular dystrophy in zebrafish models and was selected for the Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program in 2024, where I studied human induced pluripotent stem cells in the Pera Lab.
Currently I’m…
Applying to medical school with the goal of becoming a physician who combines research, service, and compassionate care to Maine communities.
Hi! My name is Brygid and I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biology with a minor in sustainable agriculture. I have been an undergraduate lab assistant and intern in the Haploid Genomics lab since my sophomore year, where I work on multiple projects with the goal of preserving potato genetics and developing varieties resistant to climate change. I’ll be completing my senior thesis in the Haploid Genomics lab this year! This past summer, I was an HHMI Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Meyerowitz lab at the California Institute of Technology, where I had the opportunity to do preliminary research on long-term confocal microscopy of plant shoot apical meristems.
Outside of research, I serve as an Honors College ambassador. The Honors College is where I got my introduction to research during the Hurricane Island RLE my freshman year, and as a research assistant on Rogers Farm studying industrial hemp. I am also the social media manager for the largest club on campus, the UMaine Hammock Club, and am committed to making it a welcoming and chill environment for anybody interested in the calmer side of outdoor recreation! If I’m not in the lab or hammocking in the woods, I love hockey, whether it’s watching my favorite NHL team (the New York Rangers) or in person at the Alfond.
Currently, I am applying to graduate schools for a PhD in horticulture, with the goal of eventually returning to Maine and working in research developing climate change resistant crop varieties to ensure Maine farmers can continue to make a living off of the land
Research
I have been an undergraduate lab assistant and intern in the Haploid Genomics lab since my sophomore year, where I work on multiple projects with the goal of preserving potato genetics and developing varieties resistant to climate change. I’ll be completing my senior thesis in the Haploid Genomics lab this year! This past summer, I was an HHMI Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Meyerowitz lab at the California Institute of Technology, where I had the opportunity to do preliminary research on long-term confocal microscopy of plant shoot apical meristems.
Currently i’m…
Currently, I am applying to graduate schools for a PhD in horticulture, with the goal of eventually returning to Maine and working in research developing climate change resistant crop varieties to ensure Maine farmers can continue to make a living off of the land.
Hi my name is Syreniti Grant. I am a third year student majoring in biology (BS) with a Concentration in Pre-Medical studies. I am currently looking into research opportunities at this time.
research
I am currently looking into research opportunities at this time
Currently I’m…
I am a third year student majoring in biology (BS) with a Concentration in Pre-Medical studies.
My name is Michael Gervasio, and I’m a sophomore undergraduate at the University of Maine studying Zoology with a concentration in Ecology. My goals for the future include working in wildlife sanctuaries to protect endangered species and potentially in rehabilitation and release work. At the University of Maine, I hope to find research opportunities that can get me closer to my goal, along with working with the undergraduate team of ambassadors for the college of ELH to make the University of Maine a place where students can reach their goals with plenty of support and opportunities like myself.
research
My goals for the future include working in wildlife sanctuaries to protect endangered species and potentially in rehabilitation and release work.
Currently i’m…
At the University of Maine, I hope to find research opportunities that can get me closer to my goal, along with working with the undergraduate team of ambassadors for the college of ELH to make the University of Maine a place where students can reach their goals with plenty of support and opportunities like myself