FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington Undergraduate Research Council named nine UMF students to its prestigious fall 2012 Michael D. Wilson Scholars and Fellows Program. The competitive Wilson Research Program helps top UMF student scholars, supported one-on-one by faculty mentors, pursue original, high-level undergraduate research projects.

“It’s always inspiring to see our students’ commitment to academic excellence,” said Kathryn A. Foster, UMF president. “Undergraduate research, like UMF’s Wilson Program, creates exciting opportunities for students to gain new knowledge while also helping them develop the strong professional skills that are valued by prospective employers and graduate schools.”

The UMF Wilson Program names student awardees twice a year, including single-semester scholars and year-long fellows, and provides funding to help underwrite student project expenses.

Wilson Fellows Fall 2012

Grace Kendall, Vienna: A senior majoring in history, Kendall is using a psychological theory to analyze the behavior and decisions of U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Her faculty sponsor is Chris O’Brien, associate professor of history.

CeCelia Palow, Southwest Harbor: A senior majoring in psychology, Palow is investigating Parkinson’s disease and patients’ perception of their cognitive processes. Her faculty sponsor is Marilyn Shea, professor of psychology.

Anna Soule, Kingfield: A senior with an individualized studies major and a concentration in art, Soule is researching the role DNA plays in musical aptitude. Her faculty sponsor is Jean Doty, professor of biology.

Wilson Scholars Fall 2012

Chelsea Bartlett, South Portland: A junior majoring in creative writing, Bartlett is creating a novel about the life of Hephaestion, confidant to Alexander the Great. Her faculty sponsor is Patricia O’Donnell, professor of English.

Adam Black, Farmington: A senior majoring in mathematics, Black is investigating geometric group theory. His faculty sponsor is Nicholas Koban, associate professor of mathematics.

Noelle Dubay, Fort Kent: A senior majoring in creative writing and English, Dubay is examining the philosophy of American pragmatism and the prose of Henry James. Her faculty sponsor is Kristen Case, assistant professor of English.

Catherine Farsaci, Farmington: A senior majoring in history, Farsaci is discussing the evolving social and medical paradigms of infectious disease that engendered the lethargic adoption of germ theory. Her faculty sponsor is Chris O’Brien, associate professor of history.

Kelsey Moore, Avon, Conn.: A senior majoring in creative writing, Moore is creating an art book memoir based on her personal journals. Her faculty sponsor is Gretchen Legler, professor of creative writing.

Jamie Phillips, Willington, Conn.: A junior majoring in creative writing, Phillips is currently studying at the National University of Cordoba in Argentina and creating a chapbook of writings from her travels. Her faculty sponsor is Linda Britt, professor of Spanish.

The Wilson awards are funded by a generous gift from Michael and Susan Angelides, of Stonington, Conn., in honor of their good friend and UMF alumnus Michael D. Wilson, class of 1976, who died shortly after graduating.

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