Research Team
- Brieanne Berry
- Travis Blackmer
- Jared Entwistle
- Michael Haedicke
- Cynthia Isenhour
- Susanne Lee
- Jean MacRae
- Deborah Saber
- Linda Silka
- Erin Victor
Brieanne Berry, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral researcher, 91福利 Department of Anthropology
Why is Materials Management important to you?
The challenge of sustainably managing materials throughout their lifecycle is enormous. The work of our research team is critical because sustainable materials management crosses over disciplinary lines, and involves understanding diverse perspectives. Our interdisciplinary work to bring stakeholders, students, and policymakers into the research process is what makes this research team so important.
Produced and/or Pending works:
- Berry, B., C. Isenhour, J. MacRae, E. Victor, T. Blackmer, J. Entwistle, L. Silka, M. Haeddicke, S. Lee, D. Saber. After the Perfect Storm: Resilience Planning in Maine鈥檚 Waste Management System Case Studies in the Environment Vol. 6 (1): 1706963,July 4, 2022, pps. 1鈥11. electronic ISSN 2473-9510
- .
- On Qualitative Writing: Building an Interdisciplinary Community of Practice
For more information about Brie鈥檚 work click
Travis Blackmer, M.A.
Lecturer and undergraduate coordinator, 91福利 School of Economics; Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management Important to you?
Travis got his first exposure to materials management through a summer research project as an undergraduate student where he led a team that sorted 20,000lbs of garbage for the Maine State Planning Office. This experience was eye opening (and nostril de-sensitizing) and has become a driving force for his interest in working with stakeholders to look at materials of all kinds that are no longer wanted by the end user. The idea that everything has a VALUE, even if that value is negative, is an important facet of improving our materials management. Composting and the circular food system has become a primary focus. Travis has a passion for projects that connect communities to food waste diversion options locally, with initiatives recently in Midcoast and Kennebec Valley.
Produced and/or Pending works:
Jared Entwistle
91福利 master鈥檚 student, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Business Administration
Why is Materials Management Important to you?
As I pursue a dual degree in MBA and MS in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, I am increasingly concerned with the amount of waste our society creates, both as an issue of lost economic efficiency and the physical refuse we create and discard. The research the Materials Management team produces helps clarify issues in our current waste stream and provides insight on possible solutions, which are important steps toward creating an economy that is sustainable for our environmental and societal health.
Michael Haedicke, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, 91福利 Department of Sociology; Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
As an environmental sociologist with a research focus on food and agricultural systems, I am particularly interested in developments related to the management and reduction of food waste. The systemic approach of the materials management team fits very well with the perspectives that I use in my research and teaching.
Published and/or Pending works:
- For a complete list of Michael鈥檚 published works, click
Cynthia Isenhour, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, 91福利 Department of Anthropology; Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
Cindy Isenhour joined the Materials Management Research Group in 2015. With expertise linked to cross-cultural environmental governance and sustainability movements Isenhour has since enjoyed learning more about the end of production-consumption-disposal systems and the opportunity to research culturally appropriate and just policies to reduce waste and materials use. In addition to the MMRG鈥檚 collaborative research projects, Isenhour is also working on research projects focused on Maine鈥檚 second hand economy and Circular Economy policy and practice in the United States.
Produced and/or Pending works:
Susanne Lee, M.B.A.
Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
It is really a privilege to be part of the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Materials Management team. I love working with such a talented and diverse interdisciplinary team to research and develop sustainable materials management solutions. In the end, our work can save money and build economic opportunities for Maine, improve the quality of life in Maine communities, and protect Maine鈥檚 amazing natural resources.
Produced and/or Pending works:
For more information on Susanne鈥檚 work, click
Jean MacRae, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, 91福利 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
I think we need to move a more sustainable system where we are more efficient in our use of materials (and energy and water) so we can leave more habitat undisturbed. To me, that means finding ways to recover everything that is reusable, and put the remainder to its best alternative purpose 鈥 including recovering energy, fertilizer and soil amendments from food scraps, and recovering value from other waste streams.
Produced and/or Pending works:
- Thakali, A., J.D. MacRae, C. Isenhour, T. Blackmer. 2022. Journal of Environmental Management Vol 314, July 2022
- Thakali, A., J.D. MacRae. Environmental Research 194 (2021) 110635
- Anaerobic Digestion: A Sustainable Alternative for Food Waste Management in Maine. 91福利 Student Symposium, April 10, 2019
- Using GIS to find optimal locations for food waste digestion and/or composting operations in Maine
- .
Deborah Saber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, 91福利 School of Nursing; Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
In June of 2016, I joined the Mitchell Center Materials Management Research Group to focus on the role of healthcare on environmental sustainability within an interdisciplinary team. My research interests broadened to include the role of healthcare within food system sustainability. Our work is critically important as we continue to work towards comprehensive solutions to support environmental sustainability.
Produced and/or Pending works:
- Tackling wicked problems through undergraduate interdisciplinary teams: A team perspective.
- Disposal of medical wastes from infectious hospitalized patients: A mandate for re-examining current practices
Linda Silka, Ph.D.
Mitchell Center Senior Fellow
Why is Materials Management important to you?
I first became interested in materials management issues when I directed the Center for Family, Work, and Community at UMass Lowell and we were contacted by the city of Lowell and asked to 鈥渆ducate鈥 the growing immigrant and refugee residents who were not recycling. We took this as an opportunity to learn and not to tell others what to do. We set up all sorts of sharing events (we called them 鈥淭alking Trash鈥) to learn from each other about how to recycle and what to recycle. We built recycling themes into 鈥淓nglish as a Second Language鈥 as another way for learning to occur. We all learned so much and changed many practices in the city to ensure that recycling was responsive to all of the needs, wants, and skills of community members. It has been exciting to continue this work in Maine.
Produced and/or Pending Works:
- . Chapter 9 of University Engagement and Environmental Sustainability.
- ,
Erin Victor
Doctoral Student, 91福利 Anthropology & Environmental Policy
Why is Materials Management important to you?
It wasn鈥檛 until college that I had access to recycling and started considering my own 鈥渨aste footprint.鈥 Joining the recycling crew and supporting the reuse center was my first purview into the 鈥渨orld of waste鈥 or material management and I haven鈥檛 looked back ever since. Prior to starting my doctoral studies at the University of Maine, I worked in local and state government on sustainability and waste management initiatives with a specific focus on waste prevention and reduction. As a doctoral student in the Anthropology and Environmental Policy program, my research explores policy solutions to the 鈥減lastic crisis,鈥 specifically focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging in Canada and the United States. The interdisciplinary material management team provides an important systems-wide perspective, working with stakeholders from across Maine and opening up new solutions to the complex material management challenges we face today. For more about Erin and a list of her work, click .