The 46th Annual Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (MBMSS) is a state-wide gathering of scientists and students—an opportunity to share research results, exchange ideas, promote collaboration, and network with Maine scientists in a variety of disciplines.
Keynote Speaker: Linda Bockenstedt, M.D., Yale University
The Quest To Understand Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, due to the Ixodes tick-transmitted spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in North America. Despite public health measures, the geographic range of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks is expanding and the incidence of Lyme disease is increasing. Humans infected with Borrelia burgdorferi can exhibit a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, the pathogenesis of which are incompletely understood. This presentation will describe recent advances in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease in animal models and humans.
Abstracts for platform and poster presentations are submitted through the registration process. You can start your registration, save it for later, and then log back in to submit your abstract before the deadline.
Abstract submission deadline March 28, 2019
Registration is closed.
Fees
Students and Faculty do not pay a registration fee.
Corporate Registration Fee is $200.00, which can be waived at the higher sponsorship levels.
2019 MBMSS Sponsorship Benefits
Partners



- James A. Coffman, Ph.D.Associate Professor; Director, Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)MDI Biological Laboratory
- Patsy Dickinson, Ph.D.Josiah Little Professor of Natural SciencesBowdoin College
- Jane E. Disney, Ph.D.Senior Staff Scientist; Director of Research Training; Director, Community Environmental Health LaboratoryMDI Biological Laboratory
- Jean Doty, Ph.D.Professor of BiologyUniversity of Maine Farmington
- Lynn Hannum, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorColby College
- Chris Petersen, Ph.D.Faculty, Ecology and BiologyCollege of the Atlantic
- Ryan Tewhey, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorThe Jackson Laboratory
- Robert Wheeler, Ph.D.Professor of Molecuar and Biomedical ScienceUniversity of Maine
- April Hill, Ph.D.ProfessorBates College
- Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of BiologyColby College
- Colleen O'Loughlin, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorBates College
- Elissa Chesler, Ph.D.ProfessorThe Jackson Laboratory
- Ian Meng, Ph.D.ProfessorUniversity of New England
- Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D.Associate Provost for Research and ScholarshipUniversity of New England
- Leslie M. Ochs, PharmD, PhD, MSPHUniversity of New England
- Linda Bockenstedt, M.D.Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medicine, Deputy Dean for Faculty AffairsYale University School of Medicine
- Michael Kienzler, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorThe University of Maine
FRIDAY, APRIL 26
12:00-4:00 pm Symposium Registration at Maren Conference Center
Poster Session A presenters may set up their posters any time before the 4:15 pm session.
1:00 pm Symposium Welcome and Introduction
Jane Disney, Ph.D., Director of Education, MDI Biological Laboratory
Maren Auditorium—MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
1:10-3:00 pm SESSION I: The Science Behind the Opioid Crisis Summary Report
Maren Auditorium—MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
1:10-1:20 Moderator: Karen L. Houseknecht, Associate Provost, University of New England (UNE)
1:20-1:40 Speaker: Ian Meng, Professor, UNE, Topic: Introduction and role of pain in opioid abuse and
addiction
1:40-2:00 Speaker: Elissa Chesler, Professor, The Jackson Laboratory Topic: Genetics and addiction
2:00-2:20 Speaker: Vivek Kumar, Assistant Professor, The Jackson Laboratory, Topic: Modeling addiction behaviors in the mouse.
2:20-2:40 Speaker: Leslie Ochs, Assistant Professor and Chair, School of Pharmacy, UNE, Topic: The role of prescribing practices in the opioid crisis
2:40-3:00 Additional Discussion
3:00-3:15 pm Break
3:15-4:15 pm SESSION II: Ecology / Immunology / Cell Biology
Maren Auditorium—MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
- Colleen O’Loughlin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Bates College
- Mike Kienzler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Maine
- Chris Moore, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Colby College
- Michael Wilczek, Graduate Student, University of Maine
4:15-5:45 pm Reception and Poster Session A Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation, Cash bar
5:45-7:15 pm Dinner* Dining Hall
*Please note there will be two dinner seatings to ease congestion at the dining tables: 5:45 pm and 6:30 pm Check your name tag for your seating.
KEYNOTE
Maren Auditorium—MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
7:15 pm Keynote Speaker Welcome and Introduction
Dustin Updike, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, MDI Biological Laboratory
7:20-8:15 pm Linda Bockenstedt, M.D., Yale University
The Quest to Understand Lyme Disease
8:15 pm Keynote Reception and Dessert Maren Conference Center
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
8:15-9:00 a.m. Poster Session B Set Up
Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation
9:00-10:20 a.m. Poster Session B and Breakfast Bites Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation
10:20-10:30 a.m. Poster Session C Set Up Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation
10:45-12:00 pm SESSION III: Gene Networks and Regulation / Data Science
Maren Auditorium—MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
- April Hill, Ph.D., Professor, Bates College
- Juyoung Shim, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, MDI Biological Laboratory
- Kristen Brown-Donovan, Graduate Student, University of Maine
- Emily Spaulding, Graduate Student, University of Maine GSBSE
- Lindsey Fitzsimons, Graduate Student, University of Maine GSBSE
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch Dining Hall
1:00-1:50 pm Career Panel and Expo for Students Maren Auditorium
1:00-1:05 Introduction to Career Panel-Jane Disney, Director of Education
1:05-1:10 Carrie Cowan, Director, Pre- and Post-Doctoral Programs, The Jackson Laboratory
1:10-1:15 Melissa Rockwood, Scientific Recruiter, The Jackson Laboratory
1:15-1:20 Elizabeth Bergst, MMCRI
1:20-1:25 Carissa Henry, UMaine, GSBSE
1:25-1:30 Julie Cross, IDEXX
1:30-1:35 Peggy Jo Fague, InSphero
1:35-1:50 Questions and Answers
2:00-3:15 pm Poster Session C Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation
3:15 pm Final Comments/Symposium Conclusion
A block of self-pay rooms has been reserved at waterfront The Atlantic Oceanside hotel in Bar Harbor. King or double Queen rooms are $125.00/night plus 9 % tax.
Reservation Deadline: March 26th 2019
To make a reservation from the block go to www.AOBarHarbor.com and enter Group ID#: 69338
or call 888-336-2463 and reference the “MDI Biological Laboratory Room Block”
Undergraduate students at Maine INBRE Institutions (Southern Maine Community College, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, University of Maine Honors College, University of Maine Farmington, University of Maine Machias, University of Maine Fort Kent, and University of Maine Presque Isle) may request one night of free double occupancy dormitory lodging on campus for Friday night. The request form is in the registration process.