Below you’ll find the University of Southern Maine (USM) staff members and offices dedicated to supporting research, scholarship, and creative activity.
We’re available to answer your questions, serve as a resource, and discuss the ways we can assist your business, organization, agency, or community.
Office of Research
The Office of Research advances and supports research at the University for faculty, staff, and students as they pursue scholarly knowledge. Staff provide oversight for research administration, development, and investment.
Kris Sahonchik
Director of Office of Research &
Director of the Cutler Institute
207-780-5856
Tamara Blair Kirk
Director of Research Service Center
207-228-8538
Terry Shehata, PhD
Senior Policy Associate, Research & Economic Development &
Maine Economic Improvement Fund Coordinator
207-228-8239
Maggie Vishneau
Senior Policy Associate, Research & Organizational Development
207-780-5469
Laura Woods-Vachon
Policy Associate, Research & Organizational Development
207-626-5028
Ross Hickey
Director, Office of Research Integrity and Outreach (ORIO)
207-780-4340
Additional University Contacts
- Finding funding
- Developing and Submitting a Proposal & Managing Your Grant
- Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF @ USM)
- Office of Research Integrity and Outreach (ORIO)
- Research Service Center
- USM-North Atlantic Initiative
- Potential Research Partnerships
- Maine Center for Business and Economic Research (MCBER)
- Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF @ USM)
- Maine Regulatory Training and Ethics Center (MeRTEC)
- Maine Small Business Development Center
- USM-North Atlantic Initiative
Undergraduate Students
- Undergraduate student research
- Research is a vital way for students to bridge academic scholarship and learning with helping communities to develop real-world solutions. If you’re interested in getting involved with research at the University, please reach out to the faculty within your major.
- View faculty by department
- Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC)
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
Graduate Students
- Graduate student research
- Research is a dynamic element of coursework; capstone projects; thesis and dissertation development; and graduate assistantships. If you’re interested in getting involved with research at the University, please reach out to the faculty within your academic program.
- View faculty by department
- Graduate Assistantships