<strong>Alumni</strong> Winter 2012_Layout 1 1/10/12 1:46 PM Page 10 <strong>Maine</strong> Lines Dr. Peter Cummings ‘97, forensic pathologist, medical examiner, expert witness and author Cover photo by Schwarcz Photography New Group <strong>of</strong> U<strong>Maine</strong> Authors Joins <strong>the</strong> Ranks By Susan E. Mullaney, CBC 10 MAINE <strong>Alumni</strong> Magazine
<strong>Alumni</strong> Winter 2012_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:31 AM Page 11 The works <strong>of</strong> well-known alumni authors grace <strong>the</strong> walls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Allain Library at Buchanan <strong>Alumni</strong> House. There’s a bookcase dedicated to works <strong>of</strong> U<strong>Maine</strong>’s most famous and prolific writer, Stephen King ’70, ‘87 Hon. L.H.D. You’ll also find <strong>the</strong> fictional works <strong>of</strong> A. Manettte Ansay ’87 and Tabitha Spruce King ’71, ‘87 Hon. L.H.D.; non-fiction works by journalism pr<strong>of</strong>essionals David Lamb ’62 and Janine Di Giovanni ’83; business books by Doug Hall ’81; and natural science books by Bernd Heinrich ’63, ‘66G. Now a new generation <strong>of</strong> writers are making <strong>the</strong>ir marks. Several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m joined us to answer questions and sign <strong>the</strong>ir books during Homecoming for a first-ever U<strong>Maine</strong> <strong>Alumni</strong> Authors’ Day. The event was organized by <strong>the</strong> U<strong>Maine</strong> Bookstore in cooperation with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Alumni</strong> Association. A real-life “Bones” Peter M. Cummings, M.D. ’97 exhibits a boyish presence as he sits signing copies <strong>of</strong> his brand-new horror novel, The Neuropathology <strong>of</strong> Zombies, published by Sinister Press. The novel follows his recently published university textbook, Forensic Histopathology, from Cambridge <strong>University</strong> Press. When asked how he went from a scientific treatise to a zombie thriller, Peter laughs and says, “Well, I was pretty burned out after finishing <strong>the</strong> textbook. But I was still in writing mode and I needed a creative project. So I thought I’d try my hand at something interesting but fun. At first, I thought I’d do a novel about a dashing forensic pathologist who solves mysteries and set it in my hometown <strong>of</strong> Millinocket. I was going to call it ‘Magic City Murders.’ I even started it, but soon realized that <strong>the</strong> genre was pretty well covered by o<strong>the</strong>r authors. However, I’m a horror movie buff. So one night I’m watching Night <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Living Dead for <strong>the</strong> hundredth time and said to myself, ‘I’ll do a zombie book. But I’ll do it from a scientific perspective.’ It would let me combine my two favorite things — horror stories and science. Readers would be entertained, but <strong>the</strong>y’d learn a little something too, while <strong>the</strong>y’re at it.” Peter has earned his “scientific chops” <strong>the</strong> old fashioned way. After receiving his degree from U<strong>Maine</strong> in zoology, Peter earned his master’s degree in pathology from Dalhousie <strong>University</strong> in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1999 and his medical degree from <strong>the</strong> Royal College <strong>of</strong> Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, in 2004. Peter currently serves as a medical examiner and director <strong>of</strong> forensic neuropathology for <strong>the</strong> Boston medical examiner’s <strong>of</strong>fice. “I have to credit U<strong>Maine</strong> for setting me on my pr<strong>of</strong>essional path. I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t made <strong>the</strong> decision to go to U<strong>Maine</strong>. My favorite chemistry pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Bruce Jenson, inspired me to go deeper into biochemistry and that led me into <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> pathology. My semester abroad in Ireland during my junior year led me to <strong>the</strong> Royal College <strong>of</strong> Surgeons,” Peter states emphatically. “I really loved my time in Ireland and wouldn’t have gotten <strong>the</strong>re without <strong>the</strong> U<strong>Maine</strong> semester abroad program.” Peter was asked if he had met U<strong>Maine</strong>’s most famous novelist, Stephen King and if he had sent him a copy <strong>of</strong> his book yet. Peter answered, “Yes, I have dropped <strong>of</strong>f a copy with Mr. King’s assistant and I’m hoping to hear back from him. I have this planned as a series <strong>of</strong> three books, and any insights a giant like Mr. King could provide would be greatly appreciated. “But here’s a funny footnote to that,” Peter continued. “I graduated from John Bapst High School in Bangor. Senior year I got to know this new student, Joe Hill, who had just transferred in for his senior year. One afternoon, a bunch <strong>of</strong> us were talking about going to see <strong>the</strong> movie ‘Dead Poets Society.’ I asked Joe if he wanted to go too. Joe replied that he didn’t have a ride, so I volunteered to give him one. When I got to Joe’s house in Bangor, I finally realized just who this Joe Hill really was. He was already using his nom de plume ra<strong>the</strong>r than Joe King because he was determined to make WINTER 2012 11
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