Leading Maine Scientists Join TideSmart Talk with Stevoe to Discuss Current Research Efforts

FALMOUTH, Maine, Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In separate interviews this week with TideSmart Talk with Stevoe, a weekly radio show that takes a macro approach towards society and culture, host Steve Woods was joined by two leading Maine scientists.  They discussed current research efforts at some of the world's most renowned research organizations, which also happen to be based in Maine.

The show will air Saturday, October 12, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on News Talk WLOB 1310AM and will be live streamed at http://www.wlobradio.com.  A podcast will be made available via iTunes and at http://www.tidesmartradio.com.  In the show's first hour, Woods was joined by Graham Shimmield, Executive Director of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, USA.  In the second hour, Dr. Edison Liu, President and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory visited the studio for an in-depth interview.

During the show's opening segment, Woods and Shimmield talked about how Bigelow is a well-kept secret in Maine, yet it is exceptionally well known in the global-scientific community.  In discussing the world's oceans and climate change, Shimmield stressed that the Gulf of Maine is a significant economic driver for the state.  "The Gulf of Maine is a wonderful, natural laboratory that is also being impacted by man and we have a number of scientists at Bigelow working on it," Shimmield said.

In the show's second hour, Liu and Woods spoke about the research being conducted at The Jackson Laboratory, including possible links between genomes and cancer.  "The greatest advantage of our research is the possibility of understanding risk for disease," Liu said when discussing the interpreting of genomes.  "We map genomes to see predisposition of diseases in humans."  With a staff of nearly 1,300, the Bar Harbor-based Jackson Laboratory is Downeast Maine's largest employer and one of the state's leading employers as well.  

"Scientific research and education play critically important roles in Maine's future," Woods said.  "Both The Jackson Laboratory and the Bigelow Labs represent models of economic development and thought leadership for Maine.  I am a personal advocate for greater educational and economic focus here in Maine.  Both Jackson and Bigelow Labs represent organizational excellence so desperately needed here in our wonderful state."

Since launching TideSmart Talk with Stevoe more than one year ago, Woods has hosted more than 100 high-profile guests including famed attorney F. Lee Bailey, mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, two-term Maine Governor John Baldacci, Shipyard Brewing Company President Fred Forsley, U.S. Senator Angus King, longtime Maine broadcast journalist Bill Green, Portland Sea Dogs Owner Bill Burke, U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, Vice President of Clinical Affairs at University of New England Dr. Dora Mills, Maine Senate President Justin Alfond and former congressman Tom Allen.

SOURCE TideSmart