Maine Science Festival presentations available online

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

May 1, 2017 School of Biology and Ecology

As part of the fourth annual Maine Science Festival March 15–18 in Bangor, several UMaine community members gave 5-Minute Genius presentations, described as “short, sharp talks by some of Maine’s finest scientists.” Those presentations are now online.

In addition, the festival included a taping of “You’re the Expert,” a live show and podcast featuring a panel of comedians who “try to get to the bottom of what a distinguished scientist studies all day.” The goal of the program is to “make academic research more accessible and exciting” to the public.

Kristy Townsend, a UMaine alumna and assistant professor of neurobiology, was the expert who joined host Chris Duffy and comedians Roy Wood Jr., Michelle Buteau and Charlie Hankin through the raucous game show segments focused on ferreting out her research field. In the lab, Townsend works to unravel the mysteries of the nervous system and how the brain regulates energy balance.

The Bangor show is expected to air early this fall, and a podcast will be available.