Incoming Graduate Students at AWRI

Graduate students are a vital and critical part of our mission at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI). Hands-on student training and development have been a hallmark of AWRI since its inception, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, the depth of training is greater and more intense at the master's level, and expectations for information synthesis and critical thinking from graduate students are higher.

AWRI welcomes three new graduate assistants to our program this Fall 2011 semester. Below is a brief overview of who they are and what research projects they will be working on with their advisors.

Nicholas Albrecht is from Scottville, Michigan, and received his B.S. Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as Spanish, from the University of Michigan. He is working with Dr. Mark Luttenton on the survival of juvenile steelhead in the Muskegon River. Nick is an avid fisherman who enjoys spending time with his dog named Scooter and his cat named Tiki.

Leon Gereaux is originally from Manistee, Michigan. He received his B.S. Degree in Biology from Hope College. He is working with Dr. Bopi Biddanda, studying the ecology of phytoplankton using the Muskegon Lake Buoy Observatory. Leon previously worked as an algologist for the only private oyster hatchery in the state of Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. Peru is a favorite place of Leons, as he has been there three times!

Michael Snider (left) is from Midland, Michigan, and received his B.S. Degree in Biology from Hillsdale College. He is working with Dr. Bopi Biddanda (right), studying the microbial ecology of cyanobacterial mats found in submerged sinkholes of Lake Huron. Michael has been a self-proclaimed scientist since his boyhood days, where he spent his free time creating experiments simply to satisfy his scientific curiosity. He also enjoys playing the guitar in his spare time.

LMC Events

Sept 7
Goodwill Industries held a community event in the multipurpose room titled Building Family & Community Prosperity.

Sept 12
Goodwill Industries held their Strategic Planning Session for their board and management staff members in the multipurpose room.

Sept 13
Muskegon County's Education Adventure held a meeting in the Annis Educational Foundation Classroom.

Sept 16
Series Seminar: Dr. Dan Bergman of GVSU presented Using crayfish as a model system for ecological, behavioral, and neurological research.

 

Activities

The research vessel W. G. Jackson was in Michigan City, IN on September 8 9. Eight demonstration cruises were held for various community groups. Our host was the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District.

John Koches participated in Howmet Environmental Awareness Day on September 10 in Whitehall.

Jim McNair hosted an AWRI table at the Intercultural Student Reception, held on the Allendale campus on September 15.

Carl Ruetz attended the 141st annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) in Seattle, WA on September 4 - 8.

Michele Smith and Shirley McIntire provided activities at the Kids Zone at the Salmon Festival in Grand Haven on September 17.

Al Steinman oversaw the filming of AWRI by the Discovery Channels Profile Series. We are being featured as part of their focus on freshwater sustainability and education. Al, Janet Vail, former intern Rachel Kent, community leaders Chuck Johnson II and Roger Andersen, and former GVSU president Mark Murray were interviewed; filming also included a trip on the W.G. Jackson.

Amanda Syers and Chuck Vanderlaan hosted a booth at family day at Howmet's Plant 1 in Whitehall on September 10.

Amanda Syers hosted an Education Adventure meeting at AWRI on September 13.

Janet Vail traveled to Bozeman, Montana to attend the annual Project WET Conference on September 11 and 12.

 

Presentations

AWRI was represented at the 141st annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) in Seattle, WA on September 4 8. (first listed was the presenter)

Bhagat, Y., C.R. Ruetz III, and D.F. Clapp. Oral. Yellow perch recruitment dynamics in a coastal lake of Lake Michigan.

Zhang, H., E.S. Rutherford, D. Mason, M. Wiley, S. Lozano, A. Steinman, and C. Ruetz III. Oral. Potential impacts of Asian Carp on the food web and fisheries in a Lake Michigan estuary.

AWRI was represented at the State of Lake Michigan Conference in Michigan City, IN on September 26-28. (first listed was the presenter).

Holcomb, T., A. Weinke, S. Kendall, and B. Biddanda. Oral. Eyes on an AOC: Disseminating Muskegon Lake Buoy Observatory Data.

Biddanda, B., A. Weinke, T. Holcomb, and S. Kendall. Oral. Production and Respiration in a Changing Lake Michigan Watershed: Linking Historic Data to Real-time Observations.

Ruetz, C. Oral. Factors influencing fish communities in drowned river mouth systems of Lake Michigan.

Vail, J. Poster. Coordinated Lake-Specific Onboard Education & Outreach Project.

Rod Denning gave a presentation about the Fred Meijer Trail Atlas project at the State Trails Administrators Conference on September 15. The conference was attended by 30 State Trail Coordinators, the federal Department of Transportation and the National Park Service.

Mary Ogdahl gave a presentation titled Results from Black Creek Celery Flats Project to the Ducks Unlimited group during their Southwest Michigan wetland restoration tour when they were in Muskegon on September 20.

Mary Ogdahl gave a presentation at the Michigan North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) conference held in Tustin, MI on September 23. (first listed was the presenter)

Ogdahl, M. and Steinman, A. Oral. Long-term Ecological Responses to Alum Treatment in Spring Lake, Michigan

Rick Rediske gave a presentation to the White Lake PAC about the status of the MDEQ Benthos Grant on September 1.

Carl Ruetz was a guest lecturer for NRM 380, Marine Conservation, on the Allendale campus on September 26.

Al Steinman was one of the featured speakers at the TEDx event held on September 20 at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon. He spoke on the blue water economy for Muskegon.

Ryan Thum was a guest lecturer for NRM 380, Marine Conservation, on the Allendale campus on September 28.

Janet Vail facilitated a Lake Michigan Forum meeting on September 26 in Michigan City, IN.

Janet Vail was an invited guest lecturer for US 300, Interdisciplinary Research Methods, on the Allendale campus on September 29.

 

Publications

Rick Rediske and co-authors recently had a paper published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

Xie, L., J. Hagar*, R. Rediske, J. O'Keefe, J. Dyble., and A. Steinman. 2011. The influence of environmental conditions and hydrologic connectivity on cyanobacteria assemblages in two drowned river mouth lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 37(3) 470-479.

Carl Ruetz co-authored a publication in the journal Oikos:

Parkos, J.J., III, C.R. Ruetz III, and J.C. Trexler. 2011. Disturbance regime and limits on benefits of refuge use for fishes in a fluctuating hydroscape. Oikos 120:1519-1530.

 

Awards & Recognition

Bopi Biddandas work with Lake Huron sinkholes was recently published in EARTH magazine.

Doermann, L. Great Lakes Geologic Sunken Treasure: Submerged sinkholes in Lake Huron offer a look back to ancient Earth. EARTH 56(8), 43 49.

Janet Vail was honored with an award for being the Project WET Michigan Coordinator since 2000 at the annual Project WET Conference in Bozeman, Montana, on September 11 and 12.

 

AWRI In the News

Grand Valley State University's Muskegon Lake research buoy unlocks real-time information trove
Muskegon Chronicle, September 1, 2011 Bopi Biddanda is quoted regarding the new research buoy in Muskegon Lake.

Buoy observatory gives hourly updates on Muskegon Lake
Muskegon Chronicle, September 8, 2011 The article is about the Muskegon Lake Buoy Observatory AWRI put into Muskegon Lake this summer.

Outdoors: Library program introduces youths to farming
News-Sun (online source), September 10, 2011 The article is regarding the research vessel W. G. Jacksons recent trip to Waukegan, IL.

TEDxMuskegon to present a day of inspiration, entertainment and information on a thriving community
Muskegon Chronicle, September 16, 2011 Al Steinman is one of the presenters at this event.

Letters: Join Muskegon's sold-out TEDx event via live stream
Muskegon Chronicle, September 18, 2011 GVSU-AWRI is mentioned as a sponsor for the TEDx event to be held on September 20.

From canals to lighthouses, big ideas captured the imagination at TEDxMuskegon
Muskegon Chronicle, September 20, 2011 Al Steinman was one of the presenters at this event.

TEDxMuskegon: Big ideas being tossed around all-day symposium
Muskegon Chronicle, September 20, 2011 Al Steinmans presentation at TEDxMuskegon is highlighted in this article.

Family Weekend to feature more than 40 events
Grand Valley Lanthorn (student newspaper), September 25, 2011 The family demonstration cruises on the research vessel W. G. Jackson are mentioned.

President Haas joins students aboard the D.J. Angus
GVNext (Grand Valley State University News & Information), September 27, 2011 The article is about our research vessel D. J. Angus and a recent trip on which President Thomas Haas joined a group from Dutton Christian on a vessel cruise.

Editorial: Wetlands revival: Federal, state investment pays off in Muskegon County.
Muskegon Chronicle, September 29, 2011 This article is about the recent restoration tour held by Ducks Unlimited and Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition. Mary Ogdahl spoke at the Muskegon County stop on the tour.

AWRI expansion delayed by federal budget cuts
Grand Valley Lanthorn (student-run newspaper), September 29, 2011 The article is about the planned rebuilding of the AWRI Field Station. Al Steinman is interviewed about the Annis Water Resources Institute and the need for additional work spaces.