207-288-9880 ext 125
My research involves working with multiple community partners, identifying and helping to remedy threats to public health and the clean waters on and around Mount Desert Island. Community Environmental Health Laboratory projects include participation in state level initiatives such as the Maine Healthy Coastal Beaches and Maine Volunteer Phytoplankton Monitoring programs. We also have our own on-going long-term marine monitoring efforts and collaborations as well. All our projects involve contributions by citizen scientists. We have engaged thousands of citizen scientists, including teachers, students and community members in these and other projects over the last two decades. All data are available to the public through our online citizen science data portal, Anecdata.org
Our newest initiative is an NIGMS Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) project in collaboration with Dartmouth College called “Data to Action: A secondary school-based citizen science project to address arsenic contamination of well water”. It involves partnering scientists with secondary school teachers and students from Maine and New Hampshire in collecting well water samples for arsenic analysis and sharing data with their communities in public outreach events.
Most people in Maine and New Hampshire derive their drinking water from private wells. Often these groundwater reserves are contaminated with arsenic, in many cases far exceeding the EPA limit of 10 ppb, making exposure to arsenic is one of the most pressing public health issues in both states. Therefore, addressing this issue in science classrooms provides context for students to engage in scientific inquiry, and motivation for them to construct knowledge and meaning through the process of discovery. The following information is highly relevant for students involved in the proposed project:
These facts are especially problematic since numerous studies associate exposure to inorganic arsenic with health effects. Long term exposure to water with arsenic can cause numerous severe health problems, including cancer of the bladder, lung, liver, prostate, and skin, diabetes, heart disease, reproductive and developmental problems, cardiovascular, pulmonary, immunological, neurological, reproductive, and endocrine problems (Naujokas et al., 2013; Carlin et al., 2016). Arsenic exposure of fetuses and babies dramatically increases the risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. Exposure has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as reduced birth weight, in New Hampshire (Shi et al., 2015). Exposure to even low levels of arsenic have been shown to result in lower IQ in children in Maine (Wasserman et al., 2014). Bladder cancer rates in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are 20% higher than in the US overall (Baris et al., 2016).
Baris, D., Waddell, R., Beane Freeman, L. E., Schwenn, M., Colt, J. S., Ayotte, J. D., Ward, M.H., Nuckols, J., Schned, A., Jackson, B., Clerkin, C., Rothman, N., Moore, L. E., Taylor, A., Robinson, G., Hosain, G. M., Armenti, K. R., McCoy, R., Samanic, C., Hoover, R. N., Fraumeni, J. F. Jr., Johnson, A., Karagas, M. R., & Silverman, D. T. (2016). Elevated bladder cancer in Northern New England: The role of drinking water and arsenic. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 108(9). PMID: 27140955
Carlin, D. J, Naujokas, M. F., Bradham, K. D., Cowden, J., Heacock, M., Henry, H. F., Lee, J. S., Thomas, D. J., Thompson, C., Tokar, E. J., Waalkes, M. P., Birnbaum, L. S., & Suk, W. A. (2016). Arsenic and environmental health: State of the science and future research opportunities. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(7), 890-899. PMCID: PMC4937867
Naujokas, M. F., Anderson, B., Ahsan, H., Aposhian, H.V., Graziano, J.H., & Suk, W.A. (2013). The broad scope of health effects from chronic arsenic exposure: update on a worldwide public health problem. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(3),295–302. PMID: 23458756
Shi, X., Ayotte, J.D., Onda, A., Miller, S., Rees, J., Gilbert-Diamond, D., Onega, T., Gui, J., Karagas, M., Moeschler, J. (2015). Geospatial association between adverse birth outcomes and arsenic in groundwater in New Hampshire, USA. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 37(2),333–51. PMID: 25326895
Wasserman, G. A., Liu, X., Lolacono, N. J., Kline, J., Factor-Litvak, P., van Geen, A., Mey, J.L., Levy, D., Abramson, R., Schwartz, A., & Graziano, J.H. (2014). A cross-sectional study of well water arsenic and child IQ in Maine schoolchildren. Environmental Health, 13(1), 23. PMID: 24684736
Grant Will Support Study of Arsenic in Well Water
Mount Desert Islander · January 11, 2020
Lab Expands Testing of Arsenic in Well Water
Fox 22/ABC7 TV · January 6, 2020
MDI Biological Laboratory to Expand Innovative Data Literacy Program
Bioengineer.org · January 3, 2020
MDI Biological Laboratory To Expand Innovative Data Literacy Program
Scienmag Science Magazine · January 3, 2020
MDI Biological Laboratory Announces Expansion of Innovative Data Literacy Program
News Medical: Life Sciences · January 3, 2020
MDI Biological Laboratory to Expand Innovative Data Literacy Program
BioPortfolio · January 2, 2020
MDI Biological Laboratory to Expand Innovative Data Literacy Program
Press Release · December 31, 2019
Arsenic in Wells Is Science Cafe Topic
Mount Desert Islander · July 1, 2019
'Is There Arsenic in Your Drinking Water?' to Be Subject of MDI Science Café
Press Release · June 19, 2019
How a Trash App is Influencing Local, Statewide Litter Regulations
The Post and Courier · May 28, 2019
BHCS Students Present Arsenic Findings
The Weekly Packet · May 23, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 to Support Course in Organoid Technology
News Medical: Life Sciences · May 14, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 To Support Organoid Course
Bioengineer.org · May 14, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 To Support Organoid Course
Scienmag Science Magazine · May 14, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 to Support Organoid Course
Bio-IT World · May 14, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 to Support Course in Organoid Technology
BioPortfolio · May 14, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $30,000 to Support Organoid Course
Press Release · May 14, 2019
Researchers Battle the Opioid Crisis
Mount Desert Islander · April 24, 2019
Bringing Maine Researchers Together to Identify Solutions to Opioid Epidemic in Maine
Bioscience Association of Maine · April 10, 2019
Bringing Maine Researchers Together to Identify Solutions to Opioid Epidemic in Maine
News Medical: Life Sciences · April 10, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
Tech Site · April 10, 2019
Bringing Maine Researchers Together to Identify Solutions to Opioid Epidemic in Maine
Medicine News Line · April 10, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
Satoshi Nakamoto Blog · April 9, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory To Hold Panel Discussion On The Opioid Crisis In Maine
Scienmag Science Magazine · April 9, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
Press Release · April 8, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
BioPortfolio · April 8, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
Bio-IT World · April 8, 2019
MDI Biological Laboratory to Hold Panel Discussion on the Opioid Crisis in Maine
Bangor Daily News · April 8, 2019
Water Quality, Cruise Ship Passenger Caps Discussed
Mount Desert Islander · February 12, 2019
Well Water Dangers
Voice of Maine radio · February 6, 2019
Free Well Tests Offered
Mount Desert Islander · February 4, 2019
Six Projects Receive Funds in Ninth Round of Coastal Community Grant Program
Mainebiz · February 1, 2019
Research Teaches Data Literacy; Students Test Well Water for Arsenic
Mount Desert Islander · December 31, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Welcomes State and National Officials
Press Release · November 8, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $1.2 Million SEPA Grant to Promote Data Literacy
Medical Newser · October 16, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $1.2 Million SEPA Grant to Promote Data Literacy
Parallel State · October 15, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $1.2 Million SEPA Grant to Promote Data Literacy
Medicine News Line · October 15, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $1.2 Million SEPA Grant to Promote Data Literacy
News Medical: Life Sciences · October 15, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Awarded NIH Grant to Promote Data Literacy
Bangor Daily News · October 11, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Awarded NIH Grant to Promote Data Literacy
Press Release · October 10, 2018
New App to Exchange Scientific Research Worldwide
ABC7/Fox 22 · January 26, 2018
App Created at MDI Bio Lab Gets Citizens Involved with Science
WABI TV5/The CW · January 17, 2018
MDI Biological Laboratory Develops Anecdata Citizen Science Mobile App
Press Release · January 16, 2018
Next Generation Citizen Science Using Anecdata.org
Breaking Through · December 19, 2017
Next Generation Citizen Science Using Anecdata.org
Maine Policy Review · December 12, 2017
Saving Sea Turtles Through Community Litter Cleanups
Breaking Through · December 7, 2017
Troubled Water
Breaking Through · October 27, 2017
Troubled Water
News21 · October 27, 2017
Eelgrass Experiment Takes Root in Aquinnah
MV Times · September 27, 2017
Two New Ways Citizens Can Help Save SC Coast
The State · September 19, 2017
MDI Biological Laboratory Summer Program Puts 32 Undergrads in Labs
Mainebiz · August 31, 2017
Undergrads Get Hands-on With Biomedical Research
Mount Desert Islander · August 30, 2017
University of Maine Students Conduct Biomedical Research During Summer Program
University of Maine · August 21, 2017
Troubled Water: Lax Oversight Puts Millions of Private Well Users at Risk
News21 · August 14, 2017
Ribbon Cutting for New MDI Biological Laboratory Building
WABI · July 27, 2017
MDI Biological Laboratory Offers 'Biomedical Bootcamp' for High Schoolers
Mainebiz · June 22, 2017
MDI Biological Laboratory Offers New ‘Biomedical Bootcamp’ Course
Press Release · June 21, 2017
South Carolina Aquarium Ramping Up War on Plastics
The Post and Courier · May 20, 2017
‘What’s in Your Drinking Water?’ to Be Subject of Community Meeting
Press Release · April 5, 2017
MDI Biological Laboratory's Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation Inspires Undergrads
Mount Desert Islander · April 3, 2017
Science Students Put to the Test
ABC7/Fox22 · March 16, 2017
The MDI Biological Laboratory’s New Center for Science Entrepreneurship
WABI TV5/The CW · February 2, 2017
Maine Institutions Look to Help Students Become Scientists
Maine Public · October 12, 2016
Missing Eelgrass Is Raising Concerns for Scientists
Fox 22/ABC7 TV · June 16, 2016
Maine Lab Seeks Citizens' Help to Determine Why Eelgrass Disappearing
MPBN · June 14, 2016
The Disappearance of Maine’s Eelgrass Meadows
Press Release · June 14, 2016
MDI Biological Laboratory Hosting Course in Cutting Edge Microscopic Research Techniques
WABI TV5 · May 24, 2016
Seeing Cells in A New Light: MDI Biological Laboratory Offers Course in Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy
Press Release · May 5, 2016
MDI Biological Laboratory to Host 43rd Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium
Press Release · April 14, 2016
Science Cafés Begin with the Future of Frenchman Bay
Press Release · January 24, 2014
Scientists Looking for Culprit in Eelgrass Disappearance
Press Release · July 23, 2013
Disney JE, Fox, E, Farrell, A, LeDuc, C, & Bailey, D – Engagement in Marine Conservation through Citizen Science: A Community-Based Approach to Eelgrass Restoration in Frenchman Bay, Maine. In Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation, Cigliano, J., and Ballard, H., eds. Abingdon, UK: Taylor and Francis, 2017 Print.
Disney, JE, Bailey, D, Farrell, A, & Taylor, A – Next Generation Citizen Science using Anecdata.org. Maine Policy Review. December 2017.
A unique coastal watershed survey in Maine. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Disney JE, Prinbeck G, Steele Z – 2014; 69(3):89A-94A doi:10.2489/jswc.69.3.89A
Biodegradable Grids: A Preferred Method for Community-Based Zostera marina (Eelgrass) Restoration in Maine. Kidder GW, White S, Miller MF, Norden WS, Taylor T and Disney JE -. J. Coastal Research 2013; http://www.jcronline.org/doi/abs/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-13-00062.1
Defective repair of radiation-induced chromosomal damage in scid/scid mice. Disney JE, Barth AL, Shultz LD – Cytogenet Cell Genet. 1992;59(1):39-44.
Expression of mRNAs encoding mammalian chromosomal proteins HMG-I and HMG-Y during cellular proliferation. Johnson KR, Disney JE, Wyatt CR, Reeves R – Exp Cell Res. 1990 Mar;187(1):69-76.
High-mobility group protein HMG-I localizes to G/Q- and C-bands of human and mouse chromosomes. Disney JE, Johnson KR, Magnuson NS, Sylvester SR, Reeves R – J Cell Biol. 1989 Nov;109(5):1975-82.
Maintenance of foreign gene expression and independent chromosome fragments in adult transgenic rainbow trout and their offspring.
Disney JE, Johnson KR, Banks DK, Thorgaard GH – J Exp Zool. 1988 Dec;248(3):335-44.
Cytogenetic analyses of a Salvelinus hybrid reveal an evolutionary relationship between the parental species. Disney JE, Wright JE – Cytogenet Cell Genet. 1987;45(3-4):196-205.
Cait Bailey: Systems Developer and development lead @Anecdata.org
Cait is a graduate of University of Maine with skills in computer programming, database construction, and data management. She created and is promoting worldwide use of our citizen science data portal, Anecdata.org.
Anna Farrell: Community Environmental Health Lab manager
Anna is a graduate of Dennison University, where she received a degree in environmental studies. She completed two terms of service with us as an AmeriCorps Environmental Steward. Now she oversees all projects and programs at the Community Environmental Health Laboratory, including a 5-year NIGMS Science Education Partner Award (SEPA) project to reduce arsenic levels in drinking water in Maine and New Hampshire by engaging teachers, students, and community members in well water testing.