The LIFT Connection January 2026

Save the Date!

2026 NH-LIFT Summit

August 12-13, 2026

DoubleTree Hotel

Manchester

All members of the NH-LIFT community are invited and encouraged to attend. Plan to bring a colleague!

NH-LIFT Seed Grants

This Fall, NH-LIFT announced a new seed grant opportunity. SPARC Grants (Seed Pathway to Advance Research Collaboration) are intended to "spark" collaborations. These pre-Collaboration Grants allow faculty from across institutions to come together, connect, and explore a future Collaboration or Catalyst Grant. Learn more about SPARC Grants and all NH-LIFT seed grants on the NH EPSCoR website.

Mentorship and Field Safety Workshop a Great Success!

Despite the weather, the Mentorship and Field Safety Workshop on January 7 was by all accounts a great success. Though we lost a few attendees due to poor travel conditions, over 30 participants attended. There is already talk of repeating this workshop in early summer. Thank you to Manchester Community College for hosting this impactful event. Participant feedback included:

"Overall, it was a great workshop! I really enjoyed meeting peers from other campus and learning about ways to collaborate."

"Please have more workshops like this! We rarely get to connect with faculty, especially from other campuses/institutions."

One respondent noted how great it would be to include students. Please note, NH-LIFT will be holding a SURE Student Orientation in May which will include Faculty Mentors. Planning for this has just begun.

Pictured above: Sadie Reed-Stimmell, NH-LIFT Co-PI for the CCSNH and MCC professor pictured with MCC president Paul Beaudin. President Beaudin offered the day's opening remarks. Pictured left: Melissa Aikens, a UNH associate professor and trainer with the Mentorship Academy, works with workshop attendees.

Meet Your LIFTERS

NH-LIFT Partner Institution Co-PIs

In October 2024, NH-LIFT held a two‑day strategic planning session that marked the true beginning of the project. Since then, NH-LIFT has coordinated four campus visits, hosted a statewide Summit, supported 15 SURE interns, organized two mentorship trainings, facilitated two faculty networking events, and funded two collaboration grants and three SPARC grants.

This progress reflects the leadership, dedication, and determination of the NH-LIFT Co-PIs. Meeting every other week, the Co-PIs across Partner Institutions have set the tone for NH-LIFT—guiding the project with insight, team work, and mutual respect. Thank you NH-LIFT Co-PIs!

Meet Jim Newcomb, NH-LIFT Co-PI, New England College

New England College (NEC) continues to strengthen its research culture thanks in part to the opportunities provided by NH-LIFT. Jim shared how the program has broadened research engagement across campus and opened doors for faculty and students alike.

Expanding Research Opportunities at NEC

Through NH-LIFT, NEC has been able to extend research experiences beyond the biomedical sciences. One of the most impactful components has been the SURE student intern program. Jim notes that this program has significantly increased the number of NEC students and faculty participating in hands-on research during the summer months, strengthening the college’s academic and experiential offerings.

A Message to Colleagues: ‘Let’s Do This Together!’

When asked what message he hopes to share with colleagues regarding NH-LIFT, Jim kept it simple and powerful: “Let’s do this together!”

NH-LIFT’s mission centers on collaboration—building research capacity statewide by connecting researchers, strengthening networks, and encouraging partnerships across institutions. Jim emphasizes that this collective spirit is at the heart of NH-LIFT’s success.

The Power of Student Research

For Jim, the value of undergraduate research goes far beyond skill-building.

“It is more than important…it is TRANSFORMATIVE,” he says.

He has seen firsthand how students gain confidence, discover their STEM identity, and grow academically and personally through research experiences. Witnessing that transformation, he adds, is one of the most rewarding parts of mentoring students.

Just for Fun: Jim’s Dream Concert

As a self-proclaimed live music enthusiast, choosing a dream concert wasn’t easy—but Jim ultimately selected Prince’s 1984 Purple Rain Tour. A longtime fan, he regrets never having had the chance to see Prince perform before his passing in 2016.

Meet Becky Dunn, NH-LIFT Co-PI, Franklin Pierce University

NH-LIFT Impact Across NH Through strengthened collaboration among institutions, LIFT expands access to research opportunities for faculty and creates hands-on learning experiences for students that they might not otherwise have.

One of Becky’s favorite aspects of the program has been visiting partner campuses to learn about faculty-led research projects that involve students the impressive contributions students are making.

A Message from Becky to Colleagues: The Power of Partnership

According to Becky, LIFT stands as a powerful model for cross-institution collaboration. By lowering barriers to student research, the program amplifies the impact of shared expertise and resources across campuses. It connects faculty, encourages interdisciplinary innovation, and maintains a clear focus on strengthening New Hampshire’s STEM workforce.

Why Student Research Matters

Becky emphasizes that research plays a transformative role in student development. By engaging in inquiry-driven experiences, students build essential critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. These experiences deepen understanding, boost confidence, and prepare students for both advanced study and future work.

Just for Fun: Dream Concert Edition

When asked which concert she would choose to attend if she could pick any, Becky didn’t hesitate: one more Grateful Dead show in San Francisco. A nod to her “hippie days". Pictured with her family at at Gillette’s Stadium, Becky’s parting thoughts: “Go Pats!” Go Pats indeed!

Meet Jim Kraly, NH-LIFT Co-PI for Keene State College.

Thanks to NH-LIFT, campuses across the state, are seeing meaningful growth in research, partnership development, and student engagement.

The impact of LIFT LIFT has played a vital role in forging new research and community collaborations while deepening relationships with industry partners. Faculty involved in the program have been able to engage students in formative, hands-on research experiences - often in areas not previously eligible for funding. Through its statewide network, NH-LIFT Co-PIs, have benefited from an expanded vision of what research can look like. This shared network has helped elevate research leaders, increase opportunity, and encourage new ideas to flourish across campuses.

A Message to Colleagues: LIFT Is Here to Support You! Jim emphasizes that LIFT is ready and eager to support innovative ideas connected to STEM education and student success. “It's fascinating to learn about all the great work happening across our state and how we can all be part of it,” he shared. “Reach out to see how we can work together.” Whether through funding, connections, or mentorship opportunities, LIFT offers an accessible pathway for faculty and students interested in research and cross-institutional collaboration.

Why Research Matters for Students

Like Jim Newcomb, Jim Kraly used the work transformative when talking of student research opportunities noting that the impact goes far beyond the technical skills learned in the lab. Under the mentorship of faculty and collaborators, students gain confidence, professionalism, and a deeper understanding of how their work connects to broader scientific and societal challenges.

Just for Fun: Jim's Dream Concert Kraly admits it's a tough call. His top pick? Stevie Ray Vaughan, admired for his electrifying guitar showmanship. Close behind is Jimi Hendrix, with early Led Zeppelin securing a strong third place.