Service and Outreach

The Maginnis Lab is committed to providing service to the University, the state of Maine and beyond, and the field of virology. We participate in outreach to educate the public and to inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists.

Recent Outreach

Dr. Maginnis – Covid-19 Outreach

Dr. Maginnis speaks on Jimmy Kimmel Live in May of 2021

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Maginnis has applied her expertise as a Virologist to provide service and outreach to our University, local, and state-wide communities through educational presentations to the public through webinars and Town Halls, local and national news outlets and interviews, and through meetings with community and state leaders. Dr. Maginnis has served as the Lead Scientist of the University of Maine System (UMS) Covid-19 Science Advisory Board (SAB) to provide science-based updates and approaches to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and the public as it relates to our university operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Related Television, Radio, Newspaper, and Podcast interviews on Covid-19 – Lists of external links:

National and regional news interviews and television appearances:

Local TV news interviews and mentions:

Local newspaper stories:

Podcast Guest:

Covid-19 Related University of Maine System (UMS) Service:

  • UMS Science Advisory Board (SAB), Lead Scientist
  • Provided regular briefings for the UMS Leadership: Chancellor and UMaine President throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to provide science-based guidance for public safety practices
  • Met regularly with the UMS Safe Planning Team
  • Led and represented the SAB in meetings and presentations with: UMS President’s Council, UMS Chancellor, State Legislature, UMS Board of Trustees, UM and UMaine at Machias Town Halls, Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maine (AFUM), Faculty Senate, UMaine Emergency Operations Committee, UMaine Facilities Management, Dining Services, Residential Life, Student Life, University Research Committees, Unit Leaders/Deans, and other groups
  • Wrote the script and worked with UMaine Marketing and Communications to develop a video with UMaine mascot Bananas to educate students, faculty, and staff about Covid-19 safety practices
  • Led Covid-19 Vaccine Education Planning – initiated system-wide survey, organized educators across UMS, and planned/hosted an educational webinar to inform UMS system members about vaccine education and outreach

Seminars and Speaking Engagements Open to the Public:

Outreach and Professional Service to the Community:

  • Presentation to the State Legislature, and the State Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee
  • Met with Maine CDC officials and other state representatives during Covid-19 pandemic to discuss testing and surveillance
  • Co-led, UMaine Covid-19 Science and Medicine Task Force to communicate Covid-19 updates to Bangor Public Health
  • Planned and co-hosted, vaccination educational webinar, offered by the UMaine Institute of Medicine and UMaine’s Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center, and Northern Light Health
  • Panelist, Covid-19: Vaccine Hesitancy: Myths, Misinformation and What We Know Now, Northern Light Health, Business to Business Zoom Conference Series
  • Provided outreach to local K-12 schools in Bangor regarding Covid-safe practices
  • Town Hall Panelist on Covid-19 Testing and Public Health Measures, The University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias, open to public in local communities
  • Town Hall Panelist on Covid-19 Testing and Public Health Measures with local communities of Orono, Old Town, Veazie, and Penobscot Nation
  • BioME Virtual Coffee Hour, Presenter and panelist, Bioscience Association of Maine
  • Presented at Fogler Library Staff Professional Development Day, The University of Maine, Orono, ME
  • Presented, Perspectives on Covid-19, Sit & Sip Virtual Workshop, Health Professions Club, The University of Maine, Orono, ME