Meghan May
Associate Professor at University of New England
Research
Portland, ME, USA
Biography
I was appointed in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of New England College of Medicine in 2013, and was previously appointed in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University from 2010-2013 (Fisher Endowed Chair of Biological Sciences, 2012-2013) and was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow and then a research assistant professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology at the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute. My research focus is emerging diseases and the evolution of virulence in the clinic utilizing bacteria (especially Mycoplasma), parasites (especially Filaria worms), and viruses (especially Zika). As a speaker, I give continuing medical education sessions on infectious diseases, public engagement ("lay audience") talks about many aspects biomedical sciences and the scientific process, and research seminars based on current projects.
Passion
My great passion has become *connection*, whether that means connections between two experimental outcomes, between two scientific disciplines, between the research laboratory and the clinic, and increasingly between science and society. All of us are impacted by scientific principles whether we acknowledge them or not, and I am delighted to facilitate some understanding between discoverers and the world.
Origin Story
I am a believer in serendipity, both in life and in science. I was originally recruited to join the US Marine Corps band as an oboist; however, I was quickly relieved of duty for medical reasons. At 18 I wasn't quite sure what to do next, when a friend-of-a-friend of my mother's needed someone to work part-time in their lab at the local university (the University of New Hampshire, working with Yersinia pestis,the agent of bubonic plague). Twenty-plus years later, I still subscribe to the general idea that the Universe works, and we land where we're supposed to!
Example talks
"Lyme Disease: the Quest for a Better Test"
I discuss the current state of Lyme disease testing in this live news appearance
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/lyme-disease-the-quest-for-a-better-test/97-157516190
"UN General Assembly's Antimicrobial Resistance Declaration Explained"
This is a quick commentary on the UNGA declaration on antibiotic resistance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHk7vke5J8&t=16s
"New Binding Mechanisms Drove The Emerging Pathology Of Zika Virus"
This research seminar describes some of our primary research on the binding mechanism of Zika virus. Continuing medical education credits were offered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSO8k_qg9Y
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Origin Story
I am a believer in serendipity, both in life and in science. I was originally recruited to join the US Marine Corps band as an oboist; however, I was quickly relieved of duty for medical reasons. At 18 I wasn't quite sure what to do next, when a friend-of-a-friend of my mother's needed someone to work part-time in their lab at the local university (the University of New Hampshire, working with Yersinia pestis,the agent of bubonic plague). Twenty-plus years later, I still subscribe to the general idea that the Universe works, and we land where we're supposed to!
Example talks
"Lyme Disease: the Quest for a Better Test"
I discuss the current state of Lyme disease testing in this live news appearance
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/lyme-disease-the-quest-for-a-better-test/97-157516190
"UN General Assembly's Antimicrobial Resistance Declaration Explained"
This is a quick commentary on the UNGA declaration on antibiotic resistance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHk7vke5J8&t=16s
"New Binding Mechanisms Drove The Emerging Pathology Of Zika Virus"
This research seminar describes some of our primary research on the binding mechanism of Zika virus. Continuing medical education credits were offered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSO8k_qg9Y