AWRI employs 10 research scientists that conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as:

Microbial Ecology

• Micro-organisms
• Carbon fate and transport

 Phycology

• Algal identification (harmful algal blooms)
• Food sources for fish and macroinveterbrates
• Primary production in lakes and streams

 Aquatic Ecology

• Costal wetland health
• Salt impacts to freshwater systems
• Long term ecological changes in Higgins Lake

Ecological Modeling

• Stream metabolism
• Statistical modeling

Molecular Ecology

• Invasive species identification and control
• Molecular source tracking of pathogens (E.coli)
• Advanced technologies (qPCR) methods for monitoring breaches

Invasive Species

• eDNA methodology
• Aquatic plants (Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort)
• Aquatic invertebrates (zebra and quagga mussels)
• Aquatic fishes (round goby, Asian carp)

Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology

• PFAS
• Cyanotoxins

Fisheries Ecology

• Reintroduction of the Arctic Grayling
• Yellow perch dynamics
• Lake sturgeon habitat
• Au Sable River, Brown Trout dynamics
• Muskegon River, Steelhead dynamics

 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

• Muskegon Lake long term monitoring
• Project Clarity - Lake Macatawa watershed
• Bear Lake wetlands restoration
• Mona Lake wetlands restoration

Changing Climate

• Warming water impact on invasive species
• Aquatic borne diseases and pathogens
• Sustainable water resources for developing countries
• Response of corals to warming oceans

Watershed Hydrology and Geospatial Analytics

• Watershed hydrology and modeling
• Climate and land use change 
• Ecosystem goods and services
• Geospatial analysis and remote sensing

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Contact

University Development
(616) 331-6000
[email protected]