Dr. Meredith Kernbach is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg in the lab of Dr. Mya Breitbart. For her doctoral dissertation, she studied how light pollution may affect zoonotic disease dynamics, specifically West Nile virus in House sparrows. Dr. Kernbach has found that even low light levels have allowed sparrows to hold the disease longer which means more mosquitos acquire it. And you can guess what that means for us.  Turn off your lights! 

Dr. Andreas Jechow is an interdisciplinary physicist with a broad expertise in photonics, the science of light. Earlier in his career Andreas worked in laser physics and quantum optics, for example on imaging the "shadow of a single atom" with lasers. In 2015, Andreas transitioned to environmental sciences where he applies his knowledge of light in research on light pollution.  Some of the fascinating studies Andreas is involved in include the impact of light on bats and insects and also on aquatic ecosystems. You’ll love the story of his daughter’s astute observation of the moon, and you’ll be jealous to hear that the city of Berlin where he lives is one of the darkest cities in Europe.

Active in the lighting business since 1982, Clay is the Owner & Managing Member of Starbeam Lighting and he served on the NAILD Board from 1997 to 2005 and as President from 2002 to 2003. In this podcast, Clay gives a brief history of Starbeam Lighting.  We discuss loyalty and pricing, how training evolved, from reading the old catalogues to LS Evolve.  Clay gives us some insight into where he thinks horticultural and human centric light will be going.  And of course, he recommends you join NAILD! 

Dr. Sam Illingworth is an Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, UK. He is a leading expert in using poetry to develop a dialogue between scientists and non-scientists. Sam write’s books, tweets, blogs, composes poetry, podcasts, creates games and still finds time for running.  If you want to engage your left AND right brain, give this episode a listen.

Mary Beth was the Manager of the GE Lighting Institute in Cleveland, Ohio for 18 years.  She was responsible for the overall operation and curriculum development for this training and education center that hosted over 4000 visitors a year. Mary Beth and Michael and Greg take a little trip down nostalgia lane recalling the days of the Edison Awards and training at the institute. She might be retired from GE, but Mary Beth hasn’t stopped. You can still learn a thing or two from the professor.

B.D. is a proven leader and team builder, successfully navigating an ever changing high-tech business climate. He is currently running SaticShield, the country’s leading clean power manufacturing facility and Montana’s most proficient solar company.  You might not have heard about dirty electricity and you probably haven’t thought about the impact of dirty electricity on lighting and electronics and human health. No one really knows what electricity is but B.D. sure does understand how to clean it up. Get ready to start installing his products after you hear this.

 Gail Walker is the founder of Nantucket Lights, an all-volunteer citizen advocacy group recently formed to combat the growing light pollution on Nantucket, the island off the coast of Massachusetts that is a popular summer destination for many. A former litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice, she began working on light pollution issues there after retiring a few years ago. Gail discusses with Jane how she uses her litigation skills to convince people on Nantucket Island to take steps to preserve the night sky.  With a yearly influx of up to 50,000 seasonal residents each year, it is a challenge to simply enforce the Light Ordinance Bylaws.  Will Gail get it done?  Listen to this episode and you be the judge. 

 Brian Huff is President of Adventure Lighting in Des Moines, Iowa. Brian is your new NAILD Board Member, although this isn’t his first time serving. From the perspective of a family owned lighting distribution business, he gives us his point of view on sales, distribution, sustainable lighting, the future of the replacement process and, of course, his plans while serving on the NAILD board.  Welcome Brian. 

Hilding Neilson is an interdisciplinary scientist currently working with the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto and is Mi’kmaw from the Qalipu First Nation band. Hilding is working at the intersection of science, astronomy and Indigenous knowledge. He tells us some fascinating Indigenous stories about the constellations, and how many more have been lost and overshadowed over time by what he refers to as “Astro-colonialism.”    Hilding also tells us about his favourite star, Polaris, and why our sun is a “weird” star.

Meet your new NAILD board member. Devin Wall is the President of Louvers International where they manufacture commercial and industrial light fixtures, light fixture components, and do complete plastic fabrication. In this episode, the guys discuss Louvers history in manufacturing lenses, solutions to headaches from poor lighting, and growth in the UV disinfection play including “disinfection theatre.”  Listen to this episode and we think you’ll agree that Devin is an excellent addition to the NAILD board.