MDI Biological Laboratory
General News

Job Growth Boosts Science Capacity at MDI Bio Lab

  • October 20, 2023
Some new campus structures are going up as well
160 Old Bar Harbor road under construction

MDI Bio Lab is constructing new student housing to support our growing community.

The Bio Lab leadership’s strategic vision for growing research and training capacity is showing some real-world results. You can see it at the site of the former 160 Old Bar Harbor Road building, where contractors are excavating the foundations of a new five bed, five bath student housing unit.

And growth is evident as well in the roster of new staff positions filled this year – four just this month – and a flurry of promotions that reflect a realignment of responsibilities as the organization stretches to meet ambitious new goals.

New Positions in 2023

  • Travis Carney  – Senior Research Scientist in Shcherbata Laboratory
  • Julia Plunkett  – Individual Giving & Alumni Relations Officer
  • Sarah Trebilcock Johnson  – Constituent Database Specialist
  • Andrea Tilden  – Director of Education
  • Rachel Kohrman Ramos  – Foundations & Corporations Officer
  • Sharon Linscott  – Development Operations & Events Coordinator
  • Rhiannon Lewis  – Major Gifts Officer
  • Jacob Wright  – Controller
  • Melissa Johnson ­ – Education Operations Coordinator

Promotions

  • Bobbi Harris – Director of Campus Services
  • Alexis Garretson – Data Specialist
  • Budd Williams – Mechanical Maintenance Supervisors
  • Hook Wheeler – Human Resources Director
  • Edward Seckeler – Comparative Animal Models, Core Facility Manager
  • Rachel Willis – Lead Aquaculture Technician
  • Hannah Lust – Director of STEM, Undergraduate & Graduate Training
  • Edith Schriever – Head Cook
  • Amy Pelletier – Director of Sponsored Programs
  • Emily Burke – Director of Philanthropy
  • Jeri Bowers – Vice President of External Affairs & Chief of Staff

Last year the Bio Lab employed a total of 113 people – 40 more than in 2012, according to Jillianne Sawyer, the Bio Lab’s Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll Administrator/Title IX Coordinator.

More growth is expected in the coming months and years. As Bio Lab President Hermann Haller says, “We are on the move.”