Pembroke, Massachusetts
Jude George
Scientist. Watershed steward. Furnace Pond resident.
Scientist. Watershed steward. Furnace Pond resident.
“When I moved to Pembroke four years ago, I thought I was choosing a town. What I found was a community — and I’ve been finding ways to give back ever since.”
— Jude George · Pembroke
I grew up believing that science and service go hand in hand. A decades-long career in biotechnology taught me that the work we do has real consequences for real people — and that the moment you stop caring about the human on the other end of your work, you’ve lost the plot.
Four years ago I chose Pembroke, drawn by the ponds, the open space, and the kind of town where neighbors actually know each other. That instinct turned out to be right.
These days you’ll find me on the water with my dog, testing Furnace Pond for the Watershed Association, or asking anyone who’ll listen how I can help.
I spent decades in biotechnology, working at some of the organizations that have done the most to advance human health — including Moderna and Biogen. That career spanned research, development, and the painstaking work of getting science out of the lab and into the hands of people who need it.
What I’m most proud of has nothing to do with titles. I managed teams across every generation — from summer interns to PhD researchers — and I learned that the best outcomes happen when people feel genuinely heard. I mentored, I listened, I pushed, and I learned something new from every single person I worked with.
Science taught me to trust data, stay humble, and never stop asking questions. Those habits don’t stay in the lab. They’re how I approach everything I do in Pembroke.
I live on Furnace Pond, and I test its water every chance I get. As the water quality tester for the Pembroke Watershed Association, I’m out there with my kit — taking readings, tracking trends, and generating the data that tells us whether our ponds are healthy.
This is the work I love most. It’s not behind a desk. It’s hands in the water, eyes on the results, and the real satisfaction of knowing that the information matters to real families in this town.
Pembroke’s ponds and green spaces are what make this place special. Protecting them isn’t abstract environmentalism — it’s just taking care of home.
Say Hello
I’m not looking for a title. I’m just looking for ways to put what I know to work for the people and place I love.
The ponds are Pembroke. I’m already working to keep Furnace Pond healthy through my testing work with the Watershed Association. I want to expand that work — connecting science to the conversations that shape how our natural spaces are protected.
Decades in biotech gave me a rare skill: translating complex science into plain language that people can actually use to make decisions. I’d love to put that to work for Pembroke — whether it’s environmental data, public health questions, or just helping neighbors understand what the numbers mean.
After decades of building teams and mentoring people, I know that the best outcomes come from getting the right people in the same room. I want to be a connector in Pembroke — someone who listens, finds common ground, and helps move things forward together.
I had the privilege of working alongside Jude for about two years in the biotechnology industry, and in that time, she left a lasting impression that I carry with me still.
In biotech, the stakes are high and the pace is relentless — and Jude thrived in that environment. Her scientific knowledge is exceptional, built over decades of real, practical work in the field. But what always struck me most was how she carried that expertise. Never with arrogance, always with purpose. She understood that our work had consequences for real people, and she held herself and those around her to that standard every single day.
Her energy was — and still is — remarkable. She brought enthusiasm and focus to the work that was genuinely contagious. And beneath all of that drive was a deep compassion for the people around her. She cared. You could feel it.
That combination of scientific rigor, leadership, and heart is exactly what any community needs. Pembroke is fortunate to have someone like Jude invested in its future.
Whether you want to talk about the pond, compare notes on Pembroke, or just introduce yourself — I’d love to hear from you. I read every message.