The University of Maine has announced the promotion of 17 faculty members to the rank of full professor. “These promotions highlight the excellence of UMaine’s faculty. Whether in the classroom, in the lab, or the field, their accomplishments are impressive and are a testament to their commitment to student success, discovery, and service to the state. We take great pride in the achievements of these faculty,” says Gabriel Paquette, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the university.
Seven of these promotions went to women.
Alicia Cruz-Uribe is a professor of petrology and mineralogy. Her research focuses on metamorphic petrology and geochemistry, particularly of subduction zone rocks. She is the graduate coordinator for the School of Earth and Climate Sciences. Professor Cruz-Uribe is a graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she majored in Earth sciences. She holds a master’s degree in geology from Northern Arizona University and a Ph.D. in geosciences from Pennsylvania State University.
Melissa Maginnis is a professor of microbiology. Her laboratory is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular basis of viral disease. Dr. Maginnis joined the faculty at the university in 2014 after conducting postgraduate research at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Maginnis is a graduate of what is now Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she majored in biological sciences. She earned a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Caroline Noblet is a professor of economics. Her research is based in behavioral/experimental environmental economics with a particular focus on how people process and utilize information. Dr. Noblet joined the university’s faculty in 2012. She is a graduate of Boston College, where she majored in economics and environmental science. Professor Noblet earned a master’s degree in resource economics and policy and a Ph.D. in economic psychology from the University of Maine.
Kelley Strout is a professor of nursing. Dr. Strout conducts research on diversifying the nursing workforce and transforming nursing education to include evidence-based, inclusive, and equitable teaching and learning practices. She also seeks to promote resilience and reduce burnout among nursing students, faculty, and staff. Professor Strout joined the faculty in 2015. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at the University of Maine and a Ph.D. in nursing at Northeastern University in Boston.
Catharine Biddle is a professor of educational leadership. Dr. Biddle, who joined the faculty in 2015, also serves as director of the Center for Applied Research on Education and Schools at the university. Her research focuses on ways in which rural schools and communities respond to social and economic change. Professor Biddle is a graduate of Brown University, where she majored in South Asian studies and history. She holds a master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Pennsylvania State University.
Caitlin Howell is a professor of bioengineering. Her main interests lie at the intersection of biology, engineering, and materials science. She is the director of the Biointerface and Biomimetic Engineering Lab. Dr. Howlee earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology at the University of Maine. She holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Professor Howell conducted postdoctoral research at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University.
Lisa Kerr is a professor of fisheries science. Dr. Kerr’s current work is focused on integrating climate information into fishery stock assessment and management to support the climate resilience of fisheries and ecosystems. Professor Kerr is a graduate of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where she majored in biology. She holds a master’s degree in marine science from the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in California and a Ph.D. in marine, estuarine, and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland.