Students

USM offers a M.S. degree in Biology. For more information on the program, see the graduate program's web page.

If you are interested in pursuing graduate work with me in animal behavior, you should have a solid background in biology, including ecology and evolution. You also should have taken at least one undergraduate course in animal behavior. Ideally, I am looking for students who have undergraduate research experience, preferably with field work, and who have presented their results in a public forum.

For more information about the B.S. degree in Biology, see the department's degrees web page.

I recruit undergraduate students to work with me on the woodchuck study, and some students go on to pursue their own independent research projects. Field assistants, who are hardy souls, help in setting live traps and in handling the animals, as well as videorecording animals in arena tests. Field assistants also collect data on spatial locations and on behavior, including time budgets and interactions. If you are interested in field work and don't mind spending a lot of time outside in all kinds of weather, send me an e-mail.

2020 Masters, H. and Maher, C. R. Competition and coexistence among canids in Maine. Poster presented at Thinking Matters: Annual Student Research Symposium.

2019 *Evangelista, B., Maher, C. R., Sponarski, C. and Lichtenwalner, A. Methods to manage woodchucks. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists.

2019 Lankist, Z. and Maher, C. R. Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) alter feeding behavior in response to predator and competitor cues at diverse vegetation densities. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists.

2019 *Evangelista, B., Maher, C.R., Sponarski, C., and Lichtenwalner, A. Methods to manage woodchucks. Oral presentation at Thinking Matters: Annual Student Research Symposium.

2019 Lankist, Z. and Maher, C. R. Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) alter feeding behavior in response to predator and competitor cues at diverse vegetation densities. Poster presented at Thinking Matters: Annual Student Research Symposium.

2019 Eva*ngelista, B., Maher, C.R., Sponarski, C., and Lichtenwalner, A. Methods to manage woodchucks. Poster presented at USM Research Symposium.

2015 Honeywell, A. F. and Maher, C. R. Agonistic interactions in harbor seals (Phoca vitulinaconcolor) vary with density on haul-out ledges. Poster presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists.

2014 Honeywell, A. F. and Maher, C. R. Intensity, rate, and outcome of agonistic interactions in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in relation to density on haul-out ledges. Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2014 Honeywell, A. F. and Maher, C. R. Intensity, rate, and outcome of agonistic interactions in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in relation to density on haul-out ledges. Poster presented at the 70th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference.

2011 Lewis, C.H. and Maher, C.R. Kin recognition in woodchucks (Marmota monax). Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2011 Lewis, C.H. and Maher, C.R. What makes a good hibernaculum for woodchucks? Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2010 McKay, J.L. and Maher, C.R. Effects of mercury on male song in Nelson's sparrows (Ammodramus nelsoni). Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society.

2010 McKay, J.L. and Maher, C.R. Effects of mercury on male song in Nelson's sparrows (Ammodramus nelsoni). Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2009 Aschemeier, L.M. and Maher, C.R. Eavesdropping of woodchucks and Eastern chipmunks on heterospecific alarm calls. Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2009 Regan, K.J. and Maher, C.R. Effects of wildfire on spatial organization of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) males. Poster presented at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2008 *Long, S. and Maher, C.R. Experimental evidence that stabilimenta in Argiope aurantiaserve multiple functions. Oral presentation given at Thinking Matters: A Student Research, Scholarship and Creativity Symposium.

2008 *Long, S. and Maher, C.R. Experimental evidence that stabilimenta in Argiope aurantiaserve multiple functions. Seminar presented at the University of Southern Maine Biology Department's Seminar Series.

2006 Darhower, S.E. and Maher, C.R. Effects of immunocontraception on behavior in fallow deer (Dama dama). Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists.

2004 *Duron, M., Maher, C.R. and *Greenleaf, M.R. Using microsatellite DNA to determine the mating system of woodchucks (Marmota monax). Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists.

2003 *Duron, M. and Maher, C.R. Using microsatellite DNA to determine genetic relationships of woodchucks. Poster presented at Annual USM Scholarship and Creativity Fair.

2001 *Rodgers, H.I. and Maher, C.R. Effects of human activity on woodchuck flight response. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society.

1998 Maher, C.R., *Besel, R.M. and *Blatnick, J. Effects of visitors and season on behavior patterns of captive Siberian tigers. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society.

1997 *Besel, R., *Blatnick, J. and Maher, C. The effects of visitor traffic and seasonal changes on captive tiger behavior. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Montana Academy of Sciences.

1996 *Besel, R. *Blatnick, J., Maher, C.R., and Kirkpatrick, J. Effects of visitors on behavior patterns of captive Siberian tigers: preliminary results. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Montana Academy of Sciences.

1996 *Lofthouse, A., Maher, C.R., and Kirkpatrick, J. Effects of environmental enrichment on captive North American river otter behavior patterns: preliminary results. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Montana Academy of Sciences.

*denotes undergraduate student

Britney Evangelista B.S. Biology, 2019

2017-2018 Undergraduate researcher

2018-2019 UROP Fellow

Present Sales expert, Enjoy Technology, Inc., Charlotte, NC

Jessica Wiliamson B.S. Biology, 2018

2017 Undergraduate researcher

Present D.V.M. student, University of Oklahoma

Brittany King B.S. Biology, 2014

2014 Undergraduate researcher

Present Lead technician, SDIX, Bridgton, ME

Emma Cole B.S. Biology, 2016; M.S.Ed. Teaching and Learning, 2018

2014 Undergraduate researcher

Present Biology teacher, Lewiston High School, Lewiston, ME

Jenna Cyr B.S. Biology, 2014

2013 Undergraduate researcher

Eliza Alder B.S. Biology, 2013

2012 Undergraduate researcher

Present Office manager, Birthwise Midwifery School, Bridgton, ME

Susan Freund Opperman B.S. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Kansas State University, 2013; M.S. Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Unity College, 2018

2013 Undergraduate researcher

2014 Seasonal technician, NEON

2015 Wilderness Educator, Baxter State Park

Present Environmental Scientist, Olsson, Omaha, NE

Skye Long B.S. Biology, 2008; Ph.D., Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts, 2016

2005-2008 Undergraduate researcher who studied functions of stabilimenta in spiders

Present Data Scientist, Apple, Austin, TX

Mandi Greenleaf B.S. Biology, 2006

2003 - 2004 Undergraduate researcher who analyzed microsatellite DNA to examine mating systems in woodchucks

Present Biologist, Poland Spring Water, Poland, ME

Jessica Wright Rochette B.S. Biology, 2005

2004 - 2005 Undergraduate researcher

2006 Intern, Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL

Present Receptionist, Standish Veterinary Clinic, ME

Yurika Seko B.S. Computer Science, 2005

2002 - 2005 Undergraduate researcher

Present Unix Administrator, Idexx Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME

Melissa Duron B.S. Biology, 2004

2001 - 2004 Undergraduate researcher who analyzed microsatellite DNA to examine mating systems in woodchucks

Present Data Quality Analyst, Citi, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX

Kathleen O'Neill-Lussier B.S. Biology, 2004

2000 - 2004 Undergraduate researcher

Breece Sleeper B.S. Biology, 2004

2000 - 2001 Undergraduate researcher

Present Owner, Always Green Tree and Lawn Service, Biddefore, ME

Susan Bailey B.S. Medical Biology, 2003, University of New England; D.V.M, 2010, Tufts University

2002 MERITS intern

Present Veterinarian, Boothbay Animal Hospital, ME

Jessica Szafranski Cross B.S. Geosciences, 2003

2001 - 2002 Undergraduate researcher

Present Technical support representative, Idexx Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME

Theresa Daigle B.A. Environmental Science and Policy, 2002

2002 Undergraduate researcher

Present Office Manager, Green Clean Maine, Portland, ME

Holly Rodgers B.S. Biology, 2001; M.S. Education, 2006

1999 - 2001 Undergraduate researcher who studied effects of human disturbance on flight distance in woodchucks

Present Biology and Chemistry teacher, Immokalee High School, FL

Amber Lofthouse B.S. Biology, 1996, Montana State University, Billings; M.A. Professional Communication, 1999, Clemson University

1996 Undergraduate researcher who studied effects of environmental enrichment on behavior of captive river otters

Present Digital Advertising Specialist, VONT Performance Digital Marketing, Westbrook, ME