Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  The University of Maine

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Tree biomechanics; especially how trees have used hydraulic and mechanical strategies to adapt to a wide range of habitats throughout the world. My background in wood science and plant biology have allowed me to develop research that combines these two science areas.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is best about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  The true pursuit of science casts aside opinions and hones in on verifiable data. During my more than 40 years of writing a science column for WoodenBoat magazine, some of my most rewarding columns have, through scientific inquiry, busted or supported old boat building myths. This has been especially rewarding to me when I have been able to use data from my own research on tree biomechanics.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  In high school I chose to go to Forestry School because I liked the outdoors, especially fishing. I entered a local science fair and presented a project on plywood. In college I chose the wood anatomy option in the wood science program. But at the end of my B.S. degree I realized that I wanted to work with living trees and chose to do an M.S. degree in forest pathology; and a PhD in plant biology (where I did research on lower vascular plants).

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  My best advice is the same I always gave to my undergraduate students at the University of Maine. Go where your interests drive you (I could say go with your heart, but that would be unscientific). Too often I have seen students influenced by what is currently 'hot', but not necessarily where their talents lie. As a wood anatomy major I knew my job prospects were very limited ("teach others wood anatomy", my professor told me). But, I have had a wonderful, varied career following my 'heart'.

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2

  
  

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