Maine Science Podcast

Caitlin's research is based on looking to nature for inspiration, and her lab uses an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and solutions. Her educational background - from Maine to Germany to Harvard, and now back in Maine - is an example of how reaching beyond one area of focus and collaborating across disciplines can lead to some really great work.  If you'd like to learn more about Cai...

Dave Levine is a Science & Engineering Manage for the V&V Shared Services team at IDEXX. Dave is a longtime friend of the Maine Science Festival, and has been a multi-year presenter. Dave was a 5 Minute Genius speaker at this past year's (2023) event - you can see his talk on the MSF YouTube channel .  Dave's passion for systems and efficiency for processes - and how to make processes better for a...

Eric is an  Assistant Professor in the New England School of Communications (NESCOM) at Husson University. A musician and audio engineering by training, Eric may be best described as a science practitioner - someone who uses it, is fascinated by it, and who wants to make sure his students understand it within the context of the audio classes that he teachers. Eric has presented at many Maine Scien...

John is an aquatic entomologist with Haley Ward, and his work centers on water quality and sampling. John's work is proof that there is a lot more to large projects than might be readily apparent. Our conversation was recorded in January 2023. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Main...

Kevin is a Senior Research Associate at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences , where he works in the air-sea exchange laboratory with Dr. Stephen Archer in the biogeochemistry wing of Bigelow Laboratory. The general focus of the laboratory is to understand the sources and controls of atmospherically active gases produced by marine microorganisms. This work helps build a cross-scale understanding...

Rebecca Robich and Chuck Lubelczyk are team members at the Vector-Born Disease Laboratory at Maine Health Institute of Research. The team goal includes investigating the spread of disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes in Maine and the disease agents they carry. Chuck is a wildlife ecologist who is a vital part of the "outdoors" team, and Rebecca is a staff scientist who's work in analysis of sampl...

Amanda Smith is the Director of Water Quality Management, City of Bangor. The world of water treatment is hugely scientific, wildly interesting, and hardly ever thought about, and Amanda's path to wastewater - and how she talks about it - is one of the best examples of applied science you'll hear.  Call 207-992-4470 (the general number for the Bangor Wastewater Plant) to schedule a plant tour! Our...

Ian Meng is Professor of Physiology and Director of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function at the University of New England . Ian's path into science was inspired by a college class, and he's now studying pain and the eye. Ian will be one of the 5 Minute Genuis(TM) speakers at the 2023 Maine Science Festival ( www.mainesciencefestival.org ) on March...

Shawn Laatsch is the Director at Versant Power Astronomy Center at the University of Maine. Shawn deeply dedicated to the public understanding of astronomy and has lived and worked throughout the United States and Europe pursing this work. Our conversation was recorded in October 2022. One note: this is last new episode for 2022; we'll be back in January 2023 with all new conversations about Maine...

Rachel Schattman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maine and her research uses skills and techniques across social and lab sciences. Rachel and her team work with specialty crop producers and agricultural advisors to identify and address production challenges, with a focus on climate change adaptation. Our conversation was recorded in October 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is...

Kaitlyn Haase is the Research Analyst for Kinotek, a startup that is using technology to assess body movement. Kaitlyn's work centers on understanding kinesiology, the application of technology, and how to assess the data that comes from that merger. Kaitlyn was one of the remarkable people from VEMI Lab at the University of Maine who presented at the Maine Science Festival. Our conversation was r...

Kat Allen is an Assistant Professor School of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Maine, with a  Cooperating Appointment at the Climate Change Institute. Kat studies the ocean, both in the geologic past and in the present. Some of you may recognize her from the 2022 Maine Science Festival Headliner Event, The Warming Sea - an exploration of hope in the face of the climate crisis. Kat w...

Habib Dagher is the founding Executive Director of the Advanced Structures & Composites Center , a National Science Foundation funded research center housed in an 100,000 square foot laboratory with over 350 full and part-time personnel. Habib and his team have been responsible for some remarkable innovations in composites, off-shore wind, and bridge technology - to name just a few. The center has...

Amara Ifeji is currently a student at Northeastern University AND the Director of Youth Engagement and Policy for the Maine Environmental Education Association . Amara found her love of the environment and science at an early age, and has reached an understanding of how policy, science, and advocacy can all play a role in improving the world around us. In recognition of her work, she was awarded t...

Han Tan is a plant geneticist who's research is focused on one of Maine's most important crops: potatoes. In this conversation, we cover Han's science journey, how he uses CRISPR, and how potato research is different than the work that's been done in corn. We spoke in July 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at...

Lindsay Ware is a wildlife ecologist who has merged her love of wildlife ecology with her passion for dogs. Lindsay is part of a small but growing group of scientists who are partnering with dogs to assist with endangered species identification and conservation. Our conversation was recorded in June 2022. For more about Lindsay's work: https://www.sciencedogsne.com/  ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podca...

Patrick Breeding is a Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Marin Skincare and a Co-Founder of Dermarus. A biotechnology entrepreneur, Patrick developed his interest for the blue economy working with Lobster Unlimited. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering in 2017 and completed his M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Maine in 2020.  Throughout college, Patrick became p...

Seth Benz is an avid educator and ornithologist at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park. Seth's work focuses on bird migration, phenology studies, and public participation in scientific research. Our conversation was recorded in May 2022. Links to the citizen science tools mentioned: iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/ eBird: https://ebird.org/home ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast...

Anne Lichtenwalner , is an Associate  Professor of Cooperative Extension and the School of Food and  Agriculture, and cooperating faculty in the Honors College as well as  the School of Biology and Ecology at the University of Maine.  Since 2008, Anne has been the director and diagnostician  for the University of Maine Animal Health Lab (UMAHL), a member lab of  the Northeast Wildlife Disease Coop...

Luci Benedict is an Associate Professor of Chemistry, and Director of Quality Control Collaboratory at the University of Southern Maine. Luci is an analytical chemist who has worked in the area of environmental pollutants and now focuses her research and work in the fermentation area - in particular the craft brewing industry.  The 2022 Maine Science Festival program of events is online at https:/...

Phoebe Jekielek is Director of Research for Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership . Her current research focuses on farming scallops, and she's using eDNA as one of the tools to help analyze the aquaculture farm they have at Hurricane.  Phoebe is pursing her PhD at the University of Maine, working in the Leslie Lab and being co-advised by Heather Leslie of the Darling Marine Center an...

Sarah Gabrielson is a Research Navigator at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, where she works with clinicians and others who are doing research that will improve healthcare delivery and results. Her healthcare background is in nursing and public health, both providing a solid foundation for her current role. ~~~~~ Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Headliner: The Warming Sea - an exploration...

Sean Birkel is a climatologist and Research Assistant Professor at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine. Sean is also the Maine State Climatologist and is part of the Maine Climate Council. One of his ongoing projects is Climate Reanalyzer , where visitors can visualize climate and weather datasets. Sean was also a critical part of the The Warming Sea project, meeting with Compo...

Jeremy Gabrielson is a Senior Conservation and Community Planner with Maine Coast Heritage Trust , where he focuses on land protection. Jeremy also met with Composer Lucas Richman for The Warming Sea project, and provided invaluable insights on the value and importance of salt marshes to addressing rising sea levels in Maine.  ~~~~~ Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Headliner: The Warming Sea -...

Catherine Schmitt , is a Science Communication Specialist at Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and the first "official" science communicator who has been on the podcast. She is the author of three books, and her experience has let her learn about Maine from forests to the sea. To learn more about Catherine and find her writing, go to https://catherineschmitt.com/ .   ~~~~~~ Tickets are no...