Curiosity and Conservation
John Lawrence '25, Class of 2027
John Lawrence’s '25, Class of 2027, fascination with nature started early. He spent countless hours catching fish, playing with bugs, and getting lost in National Geographic documentaries that revealed the wonder of the natural world. That early interest has grown into a career path dedicated to protecting ecosystems so that future generations can share in the same beauty and biodiversity he experienced as a child.
“I want my children and grandchildren to have the same opportunity to experience the natural world as I did,” Lawrence says.
That passion led him to Grand Valley State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in natural resource management with a minor in biology. Today, he is pursuing a graduate degree in biology with an emphasis in aquatic science, focusing his thesis on the habitat of juvenile lake sturgeon – a species whose well-being reflects the health of entire river systems. His fieldwork takes him onto the Muskegon and Manistee Rivers, tracking fish with radio tags to better understand the places they need to survive.
Hands-on Learning
Lawrence’s journey into research was shaped in large part by his time at the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI). As an undergraduate, he was selected for a donor-funded internship there – one of his first direct exposures to biology beyond the classroom. That experience ignited his interest in exploring the complexities of aquatic ecosystems and showed him the excitement of real-world science.
“I did long-term monitoring of fish communities in Muskegon Lake and wetlands all along the Lake Michigan coast,” he recalls. “It was super cool to do science firsthand and see how it worked.”
That hands-on work, supported by donor generosity, gave Lawrence confidence as a scientist and opened doors to advanced research opportunities, including the graduate work he is pursuing today. It also gave him a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of species and the ecosystems they inhabit. “Lake sturgeon are a really ancient species,” Lawrence explained. “They're the largest fish native to the Great Lakes…So the health of that fish is intrinsically tied to the health of the ecosystem. If you have a healthy population of lake sturgeon, it’s likely a healthy river system.”
Looking Ahead
With his love of research clear, Lawrence hopes to continue to a career as a researcher – whether in academia, government, or the nonprofit sector. Wherever he lands, his focus will remain the same: advancing the science that helps preserve ecosystems for generations to come.
A Word of Gratitude
For Lawrence, none of this would have been possible without donors who made his internship possible.
“AWRI has been awesome. It’s really helped me grow as a professional and a scientist, and it has led me to do a lot of cool things,” he says. “That would not be possible without the support of donors – especially the funding for the internships. I’m super appreciative.”