Maine Science Podcast

Kirsten is a mechanical engineering by education and initial work experience, who has transitioned to leading the Challenger Learning Center of Maine. Her passion for science, engineering, and education are palpable, and her desire to inspire kids about science is inspirational. This conversation was recorded in December 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky YouTube Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube © 2026 Maine Discovery Museum

Amber is a Senior Geologist for the Maine Geological Survey, a state agency in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry that "provides the people and businesses of Maine with essential geologic information about the land where we live and work." Maine has a complex geologic history, and it's made all the harder to study due to the large amount of forest and cover (as opposed to places like New Mexico where the geologic layers are more easily observed). This conversation was recorded in November 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky YouTube Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube © 2026 Maine Discovery Museum

Bob has been the host of a popular radio show broadcast across eastern and central Maine, has served on several economic and business development boards, and is a past member of the Maine House of Representatives. After serving in the Legislature, he began writing columns focused on the Maine outdoors with a particular focus on birds and birding. This conversation was recorded in October 2025. YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Bob_Duchesne Bob vs MERLIN: https://youtu.be/WJrBHiwhKL4?si=53Kh9EMy4OqLS9Oe Bob's guiding business: https://mainebirdingtrail.com/ ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Greg is an Associate Professor at the University of Maine, where his research looks at the interplay between humans and the environment, focusing on historical ecology, subsistence economies, agriculture, urbanism, and cosmology. Greg's current research project is in Croatia, where he co-directs the Nadin Gradina Archaeological Project (NGAP) an internationally collaborative program of research and education between the University of Maine and the University of Zadar, involving students and scholars from both institutions. This conversation was recorded in October 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Emily is an Assistant Professor at MDI Biological Laboratory where she studies neurodegenerative disease-associated genes using super-resolution imaging of living, adult worms. Emily earned her Ph.D. at the University of Maine while embedded in the Jackson Laboratory and during her post-doc at MDI Bio Lab, she was recognized by the National Institutes of Health as an “Outstanding Scholar in Neuroscience”. This conversation was recorded in September 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Kristen is an Associate Professor at The Jackson Laboratory where her research focuses on the effects of age on brain function and dementia risk. As a first-generation college student, Kristen's path to doing cutting edge basic research is both inspirational and informative. Kristen was one of the 5 Minute Genius™ speakers at this past year’s Maine Science Festival; you can see her talk on our YouTube channel. This conversation was recorded in June 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Asheesh is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and entrepreneurship. He's an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Director of Research at the Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), at the University of Southern Maine. He teaches materials science and math-based courses at USM, where he also gets to shoot stuff with lasers, break stuff apart, and put things together. Asheesh was one of the 5 Minute Genius™ speakers at this past year’s Maine Science Festival; you can see his talk on our YouTube channel. This conversation was recorded in June 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Lydia grew up in Bangor and has been immersed in mechanical engineering since entering college at the University of Maine. A four-year varsity athlete, Lydia was was UMaine's co-valedictorian in 2024, and in her graduate work has focused on textile properties, blending her love of running with interest in engineering. This conversation was recorded in April 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Damian grew up in Brooklyn, NY and found his way into marine science and then to Maine. His research is broad, covering aquaculture, seaweeds, and kelp, and using oceanographic tools to help make decisions about aquaculture projects. Damian was one of the 5 Minute Genius™ speakers at this past year’s Maine Science Festival; you can see his talk on our YouTube channel.The link to the paper about kelp that recently made the cover of Science: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adt6788 This conversation was recorded in May 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Susan Hunter is a farmer who lives in Unity, Maine. She and her husband were longtime dairy farmers, and after her husband passed away Sue turned to hay farming. A few years ago, testing of her soil - which she talks about in this conversation - revealed that her land was heavily contaminated with PFAS - human made organofluorine chemical compounds that are known as forever-chemicals. Sue decided to partner with researchers from UMaine and then other organizations, to find out ways that PFAS contamination can be addressed. That research is ongoing today. Sue was part of the 2025 Maine Science Festival, on a session we held about PFAS research. This conversation was recorded in June 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Cory grew up in Maine and after spending time as a sea kayak guide and a ski instructor, found his way to biology and laboratory research. Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Haller Lab at MDI Biological Laboratory, Cory is interested in the cell biology of kidney vascularization and uses renal organoids and zebrafish to investigate how we may, one day, be able to rebuild the kidney and develop non-donor solutions to kidney transplantation. Cory was one of the 5 Minute Genius™ speakers at this past year’s Maine Science Festival; you can see his talk on our YouTube channel. This conversation was recorded in May 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Seth grew up in Maine, and his interest in science was influenced by both his environmental scientist father and one of his grade school science teachers. Seth's research is deeply multidisciplinary, and his research is not only adding to one of the longest running research projects around (the Juno Ice Field Research), it provides fantastic opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. If you'd like to learn more about Seth's work, check out his UMaine webpage: https://umaine.edu/earthclimate/people/seth-campbell/ This conversation was recorded in April 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Kourtney grew up in Southeast Michigan and received a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology & Environmental Studies from Western Michigan University. As an undergraduate she interned on the trail crew at Baxter State Park and fell in love with the state of Maine, so returned in 2010 to earn a Master of Science in Forest Resources from the University of Maine. Kourtney remained at UMaine and in 2016 became the first person to graduate with a PhD from the college's then newly inaugurated Anthropology and Environmental Policy doctoral program. As an applied environmental anthropologist, Kourtney has worked throughout Maine and Maritime Canada on a number of projects that she will describe today. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Wenner Gren Foundation, USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative, Henry David Thoreau Foundation, and more. This conversation was recorded in April 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Today’s episode is a conversation with Jamie Fogg who is an undergraduate at the University of Maine studying marine science. Jamie has been doing research in different areas of marine science since high school, and has recently been awarded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship - one of only two students in Maine and 130 nationwide to receive this honor. From whale watch research to using environmental DNA (eDNA), Jamie has been participated in a wide range of research that is often found in students well past their junior year of college. This conversation was recorded in April 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Bob is a civil engineer who discovered a love of research at the start of his engineering career, which led to researching composites in engineering. After 20+ years in research, Bob moved on to a more commercial role outside of Maine, and he was called back to Maine in 2019 to take on the role of CEO for Global Secure Shipping, leveraging his engineering background, experience with composites, and business management skills. This conversation was recorded in January 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Emily is the owner of Maine-ly Apples, and an incredibly enthusiastic fruit farmer - although that's our description, not hers. Her work is best described as a true application of what scientists have learned, and her approach to understanding her apples and other fruits is a great overview of how science and the science process gets applied in the "real world". If you’re listening to this near its release date in early March 2025, please considering joining us at the 10th Maine Science Festival later this month: March 19th-23rd. The full 2025 MSF program can be found at https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/2025program. Some additional links/information that we spoke about: Growing Fruit Trees in Maine - Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits - University of Maine Cooperative ExtensionIntegrated Pest Management Program: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & ForestryMaine-ly Apples This conversation was recorded in January 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Allie is self-professed fan of insects, and the first vector biologist hired at the University of Maine. Her work focuses on medical entomology, vector-borne disease ecology, and epidemiology, and is a great example of how interdisciplinary teams of researchers can do comprehensive work that may actually seem like more than the sum of their parts. This conversation was recorded in January 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Curt is a marine biologist for Ready Seafood, which supplies live and processed lobster products from the coast of Maine to retail, wholesale, and food service companies worldwide. Curt's research program at Ready Seafood focuses on improving the sustainability and quality of lobsters through research and collaborations with academic institutions and industry partners. Two quick notes for our listeners who don’t live in Maine. DMR is the Department of Marine Resources. And when Curt mentions western Maine, that’s Casco Bay, where Portland is located. This conversation was recorded in January 2025. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Ian is a forester with Seven Island Land Company, but one who is not out in the forest every day. His work is deeply data heavy, and his forest management techniques rely on the data collected not just by the foresters in the woods and (significantly) on other, more technology-reliant techniques. Odds are, the image you have of how a forester sustainably manages the woods is not exactly aligned with how it's done. This conversation was recorded in October 2024. ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2025 Maine Discovery Museum

Stacey is a civil engineer and a General Superintendent with Consigli’s Portland office. In her role, Stacey manages the construction of large-scale commercial projects, with a focus on life science and pharmaceutical facilities. She earned a B.S. in civil and environmental engineering at UMaine and earned her MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A video of Stacey talking about being in the construction industry can be found here. This conversation was recorded in October 2024 ~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2024 Maine Discovery Museum