Maine Science Podcast

Jennifer Lund is the Maine State Apiarist. She received her Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Maine and has over 20 years of entomological experience. Aside from managing the honeybee inspection program and helping Maine beekeepers, Jennifer has several of her own hives she maintains on her farm. This conversation was recorded in June 2023. If you'd like to see/listen to Jen's 2020 talk to the Maine Entomological Society, it's online at https://www.maineentosociety.org/webinar-archive/whats-the-buzz-on-bees. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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 the Maine Discovery Museum: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. To support the Maine Science Festival, Maine's first and only science festival available free of charge to all, please visit our donation page. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Science Festival 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 © 2023 Maine Discovery Museum

Alaina Weinheimer is a postdoctoral fellow at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences where she examines how bacteria fight viruses in the ocean. She is particularly interested in jumbo phages, which are phages with really large genomes (> 200 kb). Until recently, they have been largely overlooked in both culture-based and sequencing studies due to their unusually large size that rivals bacteria! While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Penn State, Alaina worked in coral reef ecology labs where she was exposed to the numerous threats to coral and the potential roles of microbes and viruses in mediating or exacerbating these threats. Alaina was a 5 Minute Genius™ speaker for the 2023 Maine Science Festival; you can watch her talk on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/9GGe6kZfTHI?si=jcD4QnGj8GticN_J Our conversation was recorded in June 2023. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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 the Maine Discovery Museum: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. To support the Maine Science Festival, Maine's first and only science festival available free of charge to all, please visit our donation page. Find us online: Maine Discovery Museum Maine Science Festival 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 © 2023 Maine Discovery Museum

Jessica Leahy was born and raised in Alaska, adjacent to the second largest state park in the United States. She researches environmental attitudes and behaviors towards forests, forestry, and other natural resource management topics using a social psychology and communication approach. Her work focuses on four populations: outdoor recreationists, forest landowners, natural resource managers, and the “general public.” Our conversation was recorded in June 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

Today's episode is a conversation I had with Dan Cortes who is an Associate research scientist in the Pera Lab at The Jackson Laboratory. Dan is originally from Mexico City, and he holds both an MD and a PhD; his research is focused on genetics, and he has a particular interest in exploring strokes. Dan was a 5 Minute Genius™ speaker for the 2023 Maine Science Festival; you can watch his talk on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/77fDkYJTjHY Our conversation was recorded in June 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 Caitlin's Maine-focused work, check out her 5 Minute Genius talk at the 2023 Maine Science Festival: https://youtu.be/9hxAoBnpptk. Our conversation was recorded in June 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 all - is contagious, and comes through in this conversation. Our conversation was recorded in April 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 Science Festivals over the years, and every single time the session has been informative and fun. Our conversation was recorded in April 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 of the impacts/feedbacks of climate change, particularly ocean acidification, on critical biogeochemical cycles. Kevin is also part of the team researching how seaweed may be able to help reduce carbon emissions from cows. Kevin was a speaker at the 2022 Maine Science Festival 5 Minute Genius(TM) event. 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 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 samples provides critical insights to vectors and the transmission of diseases. Our conversation was recorded in January 2023. Save the date! The 2023 Maine Science Festival is March 22nd-26th, Bangor (and area), Maine. The full program is online at https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/2023-program. You can plan your visit at https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/plan. This episode is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 conversation was recorded in January 2023. Save the date: 2023 Maine Science Festival: March 22nd-26th, Bangor (and area), Maine. The full program is online at https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/2023-program This episode is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2023 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 24th, 2023, 7:30pm. Our conversation was recorded in January 2023. Save the date: 2023 Maine Science Festival: March 22nd-26th, Bangor (and area), Maine. This episode is sponsored by Epstein Properties ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 science with the people who do it! ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was 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; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 recorded in September 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival and Maine Discovery Museum. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 was part of our introductory panel, and her presentation provided fantastic context for the rest of the evening. You can see Kat at The Warming Sea on the MSF YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoUtjF9XPKP0zO5NsgYLU4SMGmzeNPJN9. Our conversation was recorded August 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 worked with over 500 clients world-wide, including 150 Maine-based companies, and has received top national awards for its research. In October 2015, Habib was recognized as a 2015 White House Transportation Champion of Change as the primary inventor of the composite arch bridge system. He holds 80 U.S. and international patents with 8 additional patents pending. More information about the Bridge in Backpack: https://www.kleinfelder.com/project/bridge-in-a-backpack-technology/ Habib was part of the 2021 online forums, in a session about "Off Shore Wind from the UK to Maine." The video of that forum is on the MSF YouTube page: https://youtu.be/hI4lECVXCKI. Our conversation was recorded August 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 the 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer Award–one of only 24 youth in the world. Our conversation was recorded in early July 2022. ~~~~~~ The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum

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 Podcast is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Hosted by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle; financial support from Central Maine Power; production support by Maranda Bouchard; and social media support from Next Media. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website mainesciencefestival.org at our donation page. Find us online: Website - Maine Science Festival Maine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Maine Science Festival Store - https://bit.ly/MSF-store © 2022 Maine Science Festival A program of the Maine Discovery Museum