MDI Biological Laboratory
Summer Student Spotlight

SURF2026: Meet Kirin Guay

  • July 30, 2026
UMaine Orono student Kirin Guay joined the Updike Lab through the 2026 Summer Research Fellowship program. From building research skills to gaining confidence as a science communicator, opportunities to grow have been plentiful — both in and out of the lab.

MDI Bio Lab beach, photo by Kirin Guay

What made the SURF program at MDI Bio Lab the right fit for you?

Personally, what drew me to the SURF program was the atmosphere, both physically and socially. MDI Bio Lab is an amazing, supportive, collaborative research community. It’s close to home too, surrounded by beautiful nature as well as the sea, which makes waking up here every morning absolutely wonderful.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned this summer that you didn’t expect?

I’ve learned a ton about the importance of communicating towards a broader audience! During the summer, we take a Science Communication course to help us present our science to a more general public, as well as in scientific spaces. Before taking the class, I didn’t realize how much my presentation skills were lacking when it came to being accessible to a wider audience.

Has anything about MDI Bio Lab or life in Maine surprised you?

One thing that surprised me was how quickly I was able to get to know everybody! The Lab hosts campus-wide events that make it easy to network and get to know other people. I’ve met lots of graduate students, research assistants and professors. Everybody in this area is kind and accepting, so it’s not hard to get along with others!

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a scientist this summer?

My research has been in the Updike Lab, exploring how cells know what they’re supposed to become and how they stay that way through how our genetic material is organized. The best advice I’ve received from a scientist this summer is that your PI has your back. Don’t be afraid to go to them about any problems in the lab, just because they’re in a higher position than you. Your voice matters!

When you head home, what will you take with you from your SURF experience?

I’m hoping to take the presentation skills I’ve learned in our Science Communication course back to my home lab. Additionally, I’ll be learning some microscopy techniques and how to use CRISPR to create genetic mutants, which I can take back to my home institution to use in my capstone project this coming year.