MaineHealth Institute for Research

08/17/2026

New research published in JAMA Network Open and led by MaineHealth physician Alexander Cole found disparities in access to life-prolonging treatments for advanced prostate cancer. In this study, entitled “Rural-urban disparities in contemporary systemic therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer,” patients living in rural areas, especially rural minority patients, were found to be significantly less likely to received modern intensified therapies for prostate cancer care.

The findings are particularly relevant in Maine, where geography can create barriers to accessing specialized cancer care. They underscore the importance of efforts to improve access to cancer treatment and clinical research in community and rural settings, including MaineHealth Cancer Care Network's participation in the National Cancer Institute's Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).

Congratulations to Dr. Cole and the study team on this important contribution to understanding disparities in prostate cancer care.

Learn more:

This cross-sectional study examines the associations of rural-urban residence and race with receipt of systemic therapy for advanced prostate cancer.

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Ivette Emery, PhD, and her co-authors on the publication of their latest research on Long COVID in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. This study helps advance our understanding of why some people continue to experience symptoms long after their initial COVID-19 infection and highlights potential changes in immune function and metabolism that may play a role.

Proud to see our team contributing to this important work alongside collaborators from across the country. 👏

Read the full publication:

ContextLong COVID is characterized by persistent symptoms ≥ 3 months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. To date, the underlying pathophysiology is unclear.Obj...

08/11/2026

Looking to stay connected to meaningful advancements in health care?

The Journal of Maine Medical Center (JMMC) offers open-access, peer-reviewed research focused on innovation, rural health, interprofessional collaboration, and professional growth.

🔗 https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/jmmc/

08/06/2026

Our Summer Undergraduate Research Program wrapped up today with an impressive showcase of student research. Nineteen students delivered a series of Three-Minute Thesis presentations, followed by poster sessions highlighting their work and accomplishments.

Congratulations to all our summer students on a successful program. Your hard work, curiosity, and dedication were truly inspiring!

Learn more about our Summer Student Research Program at: https://mhir.org/education-training/undergraduate-summer-student-research-program/summer-student-program/

08/05/2026

Meet Evelyn Agrodnia, a summer undergraduate intern working with Dr. Anand Rughani. In this video, Evelyn shares insights into the research she's been working on this summer and highlights of her experience.

Special thanks to Ella Coleman, our Research Training & Education intern, for producing this spotlight video.

08/04/2026

Proud to share that Faculty Scientist Dr. Anyonya Guntur will be presenting at the 9th Argentine Congress of Osteology in Buenos Aires, this week.

His participation is supported by a Fulbright Regional Travel Award and will feature a round table discussion during the Meet the Expert session on osteoblast bioenergetics and mitochondrial pathways in bone biology. The meeting brings together leading international experts in osteoporosis and bone metabolism research.

07/30/2026

🔦Center spotlight on CMM!

Our Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) is one of four scientific centers at the research institute. Investigators at CMM are committed to translating basic science discoveries to innovative approaches to diagnose and treat human disease. Research areas include cardiovascular biology, stem cell biology, developmental biology, cancer, infectious diseases, neurobiology, metabolic and hormonal regulation.

Learn more: https://mhir.org/center-for-molecular-medicine/

07/29/2026

Meet Cayden Phillips, a summer undergraduate intern working in the Vector-Borne Disease Lab with Dr. Rob Smith. In this video, Cayden shares insights into the research he's been working on this summer and his experience in the lab.

Special thanks to Ella Coleman, our Research Training & Education intern, for producing this spotlight video.

07/28/2026

Congratulations to F. Charles (Bud) Mace, PhD, and Raimond Winslow, PhD, on their appointments as Emeritus Faculty.

Dr. Mace is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in understanding and treating severe behavior disorders, while Dr. Winslow is regarded as a leader in Computational Medicine, advancing precision healthcare through computational and AI-driven approaches.

Their extraordinary contributions have shaped research, innovation, education, and patient care across their respective fields. Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor! 👏

07/23/2026

We're excited to share that Drs. Abby Fleisch and Rachel Criswell have received funding from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for a project focused on reducing PFAS levels in patients.

The study will evaluate a treatment protocol using Cholestyramine and bring together medical experts, scientists, and community members to help improve care for people affected by PFAS exposure. Findings from the project will help advance understanding of treatment effectiveness and support future patient care.

Congratulations to Drs. Fleisch and Criswell on this important work! 👏