The University of Maine at Farmington’s Spring 2023 Michael Wilson Scholars, front from left, are Ethan Rodrigue, Caroline Granata and Ashley Ward. Back from left are Gavin Moreshead, Gabriel Glidden, Jacqueline Hamilton and Jocelyn Royalty. Emma Wallace is not pictured. UMF photo

The University of Maine at Farmington has named its Spring 2023 Michael Wilson Scholars.

This undergraduate research program provides top UMF student scholars with faculty mentorship and project funding to help them pursue the highest level of undergraduate research investigation. Awardees, named twice a year, include single-semester scholars and year-long fellows.

This semester’s student researchers include Gabriel Glidden of Farmington, Caroline Granata of Falmouth, Jacqueline Hamilton of Gorham, Gavyn Moreshead of Dover Foxcroft, Ethan Rodrigue of Auburn, Jocelyn Royalty of New Haven, Connecticut; Emma Wallace of Minot, and Ashley Ward of Lewiston.

“Undergraduate research requires a high level of commitment on the part of students and faculty,” said Joseph McDonnell, UMF president, according to a news release from the university. “Engaging in scholarly research provides a wonderful opportunity for career exploration and the development of highly sought after professional skills. These Wilson scholars work closely with faculty on really interesting topics that make a contribution to society.”

The Scholars

Glidden, a senior majoring in psychology, is researching aging anxiety and its relation to forgetfulness stereotypes. Karol Maybury, professor of psychology, is the faculty sponsor.

Granata, a junior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics, is collaborating with Hamilton on a Book Buddies: Learning About Literacy with Fourth Graders project. Kathryn Will, associate professor of literacy education, is the faculty sponsor.

Hamilton, a junior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics, is collaborating with Granata on the Book Buddies project.

Moreshead, a senior majoring in visual arts with a concentration in new media and graphic design, has created GORIS, a clay model with animation project. Dawn Nye, associate professor of art and new media, is the faculty sponsor.

Rodrigue, a junior majoring in mathematics and actuarial science, is creating a run club for elementary students with behavioral support needs. Lori Koban, professor of mathematics, is the faculty sponsor.

Royalty, a senior majoring in creative writing and psychology, is investigating the rhetorical device of the time loop in literary fiction. Lewis Robinson, assistant professor of creative writing, is the faculty sponsor.

Wallace, a senior majoring in visual arts with a concentration in new media and graphic design, is researching civil metamorphosis — an animated exploration. Nye is the faculty sponsor.

Ward, a senior majoring in creative writing, is investigating race and gender in Renaissance drama through an analysis of Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Stephen Grandchamp, assistant professor of literature and digital humanities, is the faculty sponsor.

Student researchers are individually sponsored by faculty and supported at every stage of their research. These faculty mentors assist with proposal development, research methodology, project presentation and continuing follow-up on pre-professional and post-graduate opportunities.

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