Two academic programs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are again joining forces this spring to provide the campus and community with an innovative way to explore the world of science. The Environmental Science and Sustainability and the Biology programs are again presenting a lunchtime seminar series that will provide a forum to present scientific research conducted by UMPI students and faculty as well as other local and regional scientists. This is the fourth time the two groups have hosted the series.

“There is a lot of research, management and other application of science right in our own backyard,” Dr. Jason Johnston, coordinator of the Science Lunchtime Seminar Series, said. “The purpose of this seminar series is to foster greater communication and collaboration among UMPI faculty and students, working professionals, and community members who are conducting or interested in hearing about these scientific pursuits. This semester’s seminar series brings topics ranging from important conservation issues to new understanding of Maine’s geology. We want the public to know that you are welcome to join us for these interesting talks!”

Seminars generally will be held Thursdays from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Folsom 201, UMPI’s GIS Lab, unless otherwise noted. Faculty, students, staff and community members are welcome to attend this free event and are encouraged to bring their lunches and join the discussion.

The series kicked off on Jan. 29, with a presentation by Olaf Jensen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University, on Ocean Fisheries Conservation.

On Feb. 24, Peter Nelson, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, will deliver his talk, Lichens from Space! Mapping Small and Colorful Vegetation Using Satellite Imagery.

On March 12, Chunzeng Wang, Ph.D., UMPI Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, will talk aboutUnderstanding Mechanisms of Large, Continental-scale Faulting: New Findings from the Norumbega Fault System of Maine.

On March 26, Derek Woods, M.S., Wildlife Biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will deliver his talkConservation of Wood Turtles from Maine to Virginia: A Coordinated Regional Approach.

On April 9, Roger T. Pelli, DO, CMIO, Chair of the Department of Medicine at TAMC, will offer his talk, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Information Session.

The spring series ends with a presentation on April 23 titled Are Feral Cats Really an Issue Nationally and in Maine? by Allen Salo, Ph.D., UMPI Associate Professor of Psychology.

For more information about the Science Lunchtime Seminar Series, contact Dr. Jason Johnston at 768-9652 or emailjason.johnston@maine.edu.