LEWISTON — Miguel Barajas, a graduate of Lewiston High School and a senior in environmental studies at the University of Southern Maine, received first-place honors at the 2013 Maine Water Conference for his scientific poster titled, “Running the Gauntlet: Smallmouth Bass Predation on River Herring in the Kennebec/Androscoggin River Systems.”

The selection committee felt the poster presentation by Barajas and colleagues represents significant progress in understanding fish biology and how it affects the restoration of the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers.

“We are especially proud of the fact that Miguel grew up along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston and that he now has applied his skills as a young scientist to this important work,” said John Peckenham, director of the Water Resources Institute at the University of Maine’s Sen. George J. Mitchell Center.

The annual competition challenges high school, undergraduate and graduate college students from across the region to succinctly present their interests and academic research in a poster format. The event at the annual Maine Water Conference is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey department and is seen as an opportunity to promote science in the Maine school system and across campuses around state-wide.

Students from UMaine, USM, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby and Unity College participated in the undergraduate division this year.