Read about the research of AWRI's past graduate students and their current careers. Some AWRI graduates have been recognized in the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-In-Residence program!

Katelyn Anderson, '25, researched the impact of pumpkins as an organic fertilizer on soil health and E. coli concentrations on a West Michigan farm with Dr. Kevin Strychar. Katey is pursuing environmental work in soil or water research in Michigan.

Anna Briem, '25, studied the management of Eurasian Watermilfoil using burlap barriers, along with the responses of biological communities and nutrients, with Dr. Mark Luttenton.

Kaylynne Dennis, '25, used measurements of production and respiration to reveal net autotrophy in a Great Lakes Estuary with Dr. Bopi Biddanda.

Jillian Greene, '25, assessed greenhouse gas emissions from Michigan's drowned river mouths using in situ and remote sensing methods with Dr. Sean Woznicki. Jillian started her PhD at North Carolina State in geospatial analytics in fall 2025.

Michael Trapp, '25, investigated age-0 trout mortality on the North Branch of the Au Sable River with Dr. Mark Luttenton.

Victoria Vander Stelt, '25, investigated brown trout stressors in the North Branch of the Au Sable River with Dr. Mark Luttenton.

Keely Dunham-Adkins, '24, used airborne eDNA to assess hemlock woolly adelgid infestations and their impact on Michigan coastal forests with Dr. Charlyn Partridge. Keely is an Outreach Forester at American Forest Foundation.

Tyler Hoyt, '24, studied the morphology of yellow perch populations in Lake Michigan and connected waterbodies with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Tyler is an Assistant District Biologist at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Jamshid Jalali, '24, assessed contributions of agricultural land use and climate change to water scarcity in Serbia with Dr. Sean Woznicki. Jamshid is a Senior Staff Professional in the Water Resources and Environmental Group at Geosyntec Consultants in Tampa, FL.

Kate Lucas, '24, researched the impact of climate change and restoration on phosphorus loading in an impaired wetland with Dr. Al Steinman. Kate is an Aquatic Ecologist for Barr Engineering.

Paris Velasquez, '24, studied microplastics, salt runoff, and the unique microbial plastisphere communities of an urban lake with Dr. Al Steinman. Paris is a GIS Intern at Ottawa County Parks and Recreation.

Travis Ellens, '23, studied seasonal top-down effects of fish on benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton in a coldwater stream with Dr. Carl Ruetz.

Davis Fray, '23, characterized the biodiversity and interspecies interactions of microbial mat communities in sulfur springs with Dr. Sarah Hamsher. He is a Fisheries Biologist for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

John Hart, '23, improved assessment methods of non-point source fecal pollution in a variety of waterbodies in Michigan using a combination of geospatial and molecular methods with Dr. Rick Rediske. John is a Project Manager for Versova.

Matt Silverhart '23, studied fish assemblage structures in Great Lakes wetlands with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Matt is a research associate at SUNY Brockport.

Nicholas Vander Stelt, '23, surveyed fish assemblages and habitat in the Boardman-Ottaway River in support of Arctic Grayling reintroduction and management with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Nick is a Great Lakes Fisheries Technician for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Nate Dugener, '22, examined the dynamics of interannual trends of seasonal hypoxia in Muskegon Lake with Dr. Bopi Biddanda. Nate is an Environmental Protection Specialist at Illinois EPA.

Ellen Foley, '22, researched the impacts of road salt on water quality and phosphorus dynamics in an urban lake with Dr. Al Steinman. Ellen now works at Leeward Renewable Energy in Chicago, IL as a Senior Development Associate.

Maggie Petersen, '22, studied the effects of weathered microplastic ingestion by fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) with Dr. Charlyn Partridge. Maggie is a Senior Researcher at the Great Lakes Environmental Center in Traverse City, MI.

Jonathan Walt, '22, mapped the spread of invasive species in Michigan wetlands using remote sensing with Dr. Sean Woznicki. Jon works for the State of Michigan as an Environmental Quality Analyst with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in the Water Resources Division.

Jason Lorenz, '21, evaluated lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning success on an artificial reef constructed in the Kalamazoo River, Michigan with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Jason has been a biologist for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians since 2012.

Megan (Mader) Sorensen, '21, studied the effects of shoreline and watershed development on eastern Lake Michigan drowned river mouth ecology with Dr. Carl Ruetz. She is a Water Resources and Community Development Specialist at the Northwest Regional Planning Commission in Wisconsin.

Emily (Neuman) Moore, '21, investigated the growth of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa), an aquatic invasive species, in two Michigan Lakes, and its suitable habitats in the Midwest and Northeast United States with Dr. Sarah Hamsher. Emily is a Water Resources Specialist and Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator II in Burnett County, WI.

Meg Sanders, '21, developed a trap to collect airborne environmental DNA and also tested the trap’s compatibility with molecular methods to confirm the presence of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid with Dr. Charlyn Partridge. Meg now works as a research scientist for the Wisconsin DNR.

Matt Allen, '20, studied the coldwater fishery and E. coli impairments in the Little Flower Creek watershed with Dr. Rick Rediske. He is a Principal Consultant at Rapid Environmental Group.

Tyler Harman, '20, analyzed seasonal changes in thermal stress resilience and innate immunity in the temperate coral Astrangia poculata from future climate impacts with Dr. Kevin Strychar. He is an Environmental Scientist at NOAA.

Jasmine Mancuso, '20, studied historic trends of harmful algal blooms in Muskegon Lake with Dr. Bopi Biddanda. She is an Aquatic Ecology Research Analyst Intermediate at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research. 

Barney Boyer, '19, measured macroinvertebrate drift in the Au Sable River, MI with Dr. Mark Luttenton. Barney works at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy in the Water Resources Division in Lansing.

Paige Kleindl, '19, studied macrophyte-epiphyte community dynamics within Muskegon Lake with Dr. Alan Steinman. Paige is pursuing a PhD at Florida International University.

Katie Knapp, '19, estimated lake metabolism using the Muskegon Lake Observatory with Dr. Bopi Biddanda. Katie previously taught outdoor lessons at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science and is currently a stay-at-home mom.

Dr. Sarah Lamar, '19, conducted a genetic analysis of the biological invasion of baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata) across North America with Dr. Charlyn Partridge. Sarah works as a Visiting Scholar and Senior Science Advisor in Animal Health and Welfare for the New Zealand government at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Molly (Lane) Kowalski, '19, compared Colilert and qPCR methods for monitoring Lake Michigan beaches in Muskegon County with Dr. Rick Rediske. Molly is a Chemist for the City of Grand Rapids Lake Michigan Filtration Plant.

Alan Mock, '19, evaluated remote site incubators in support of Arctic grayling restoration in Michigan with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Alan is a Freshwater Ecologist at the CREST Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment.

Kaitlyn (Emelander) Dykstra, '18, studied occupancy modeling of yellow perch in Great Lakes coastal wetlands with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Kaitlyn works as Farm Operations Manager at FoodChain in Lexington, KY.

Hailee (Pavisich) Leimbach-Maus, '18, conducted a genetic analysis of the spread of baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata) populations in Northwest Michigan sand dunes with Dr. Charlyn Partridge. Hailee is a Botany Technician for the Spokane Bureau of Land Management in Spokane, WA.

Dr. Daniel Myers, '18, investigated erosion and ecological impacts to an urban coldwater stream using multiple techniques with Dr. Rick Rediske. Dan is a Postdoctoral researcher at Stroud Water Research Center.

Kim Oldenborg, '18, studied phosphorus dynamics in a restored flow-through wetland with Dr. Al Steinman. Kim is a Water Resources Specialist with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Madison, WI.

Amanda (Oracz) Potter, '18, studied PCB concentrations in Lake Michigan tributary fish and conducted a preliminary risk assessment concerning their consumption by sport and tribal fishermen with Dr. Rick Rediske. She was previously an adjunct faculty of the Chemistry Department at GVSU and is currently a stay-at-home mother of four.

Emma Rice, '18, assessed control methods of invasive Gypsophila paniculata in the northwest Michigan dunes with Dr. Jim McNair. Emma is a Research Associate at Montana State University and is pursuing a PhD at Penn State.

Jay Zuidema, '18, estimated components of stream metabolism using the free water dissolved oxygen method with Dr. Jim McNair. Jay is currently pursuing a PhD.

Dr. Greg Chorak, '17, conducted a yellow perch stock assessment in drowned river mouth lakes and nearshore Lake Michigan with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Greg is a postdoctoral researcher at Montana State University-Bozeman.

Nick Gezon, '17, studied the viral consortium of the Great Lakes of Quagga mussels and Lake Michigan sediments with Dr. Kevin Strychar. Nick is pursuing a teaching degree at GVSU.

Tori Harris, '17, determined the impacts of sawmill debris on benthic macroinvertebrate communities within Muskegon Lake, Michigan with Dr. Rick Rediske. Tori is a Wealth Management Banking Specialist at Merrill Lynch in Zeeland, MI.

Emily (Kindervater) Murphy, '17, studied phosphorus retention in West Michigan two-stage agricultural ditches with Dr. Al Steinman. Emily is the Director of Biology Labs at Hope College.

Susanna LaGory, '17, studied stream fish ecology by estimating abundance, seasonal survival, and movement of mottled sculpin and brown trout in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab. Susanna is a Life Scientist at the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office.

Dr. Rajesh Sigdel, '17, conducted an assessment of environmental stressors in the Indian Mill Creek watershed near Grand Rapids, MI with Dr. Rick Rediske. Rajesh is a Limited Term Assistant Professor of Geography at Kennesaw State University.

Justin Wegner, '17, studied brook trout thermoregulation and site selection with Dr. Mark Luttenton. Justin is a manager at Nomad Anglers in Grand Rapids, MI.

Delilah Clement, '16, investigated the importance of dissolved phosphorus in the Lake Macatawa watershed in Dr. Alan Steinman's lab. Delilah is now an Senior Developer and Frontend Lead at Adler Planetarium.

Deb Dila, '16, found that Muskegon Lake is a “Goldilocks Zone” of net biological productivity in the Muskegon River watershed while working with Dr. Bopi Biddanda. Deb is currently a senior research specialist at the School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

John Skutnik, '16, researched the effect of climate change on an upper mesophotic threshold community of the great star coral Montastraea cavernosa with Dr. Kevin Strychar. John is Principal Medical Writer at Astex Pharmaceuticals, Pleasanton, CA.

Anthony Weinke, '16, studied the dynamics of seasonal productivity and hypoxia in Muskegon Lake using time-series measurements from the Muskegon Lake Observatory with Dr. Bopi Biddanda. Anthony continues to work as a technical call-in for the Biddanda Lab.

Graeme Zaparzynski, '16, studied the growth and bioenergetics of brook trout in a small Michigan stream with Dr. Mark Luttenton. Graeme is an Outdoor Education Case Manager for Yellow Breeches Education Center in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Nicholas Albrecht, '15, evaluated natural steelhead recruitment in the Muskegon River with Mark Luttenton. He is a Fisheries Biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Syndell Parks, '15, studied the divergent responses of cryptic invasive taxa to treatment with auxinic herbicides in a large Michigan lake with Drs. Ryan Thum and Jim McNair. Syndell is adjunct faculty at GVSU and a research technician in the Partridge Lab at AWRI.

Lindsay (Schulte) Taylor, '15, studied the evolution of invasive species in response to management and the potential for herbicide resistance in watermilfoil with Dr. Ryan Thum. Lindsay is a Science Teacher at Whitewater High School in Wisconsin.

Dr. Sarah Stamann, '15, researched toxin production and population dynamics of Gloeotrichia echinulata with considerations of global climate change with Dr. Rick Rediske. Sarah earned her PhD in Library Science and is a Librarian/Computer Teacher at Good Shepherd Catholic School in Frankfort, KY.

Brian Zuber, '15, investigated the geospatial prioritization of green infrastructure using a multi-model watershed scale approach in the Lower Grand River Watershed of Michigan with Dr. Rick Rediske. Brian is a Senior Environmental Quality Analyst for the Water Resources Division at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy.

Bryan Giordano, '14, studied movement, habitat use, and foraging of mottled sculpins in a coldwater stream with Dr. Mark Luttenton. Bryan works as a Fisheries Biologist for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. 

Brandon Harris, '14, studied the population status and movements of lake sturgeon in the Muskegon River system with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Brandon is a Large River Fisheries Ecologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Prairie Research Institute.

James Smit, '14, examined the potential water quality implications associated with a planned wetland restoration project in the lab of Dr. Alan Steinman. James is a Project Manager at Atwell, LLC.

Michael Snider, '14, completed his MS degree in Dr. Bopi Biddanda's lab, where he studied the photo-physiology of cyanobacterial mats living in submerged sinkholes of Lake Huron by probing their photosynthetic pigments. Michael is a Physician Assistant for Premier Health Specialists.

Jessica (Comben) Wesolek, '14, researched the genetic structure of yellow perch populations in coastal areas of eastern Lake Michigan with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Jessica is a Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Dr. Jared Homola, '13, studied the disease ecology and population genetics of mottled sculpin in Michigan streams while in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab. Jared is an Assistant Professor at the MSU Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Angie Defore, '12, studied the seasonal cycle of carbon in Muskegon Lake, MI while in Dr. Bopi Biddanda's lab. Angie works as a Water Pollution Control Analyst for the Village of Rantoul, Illinois.

Dr. Elizabeth LaRue, '12, investigated how hybridization facilitates the rapid evolution of reduced herbicide sensitivity in the widely-managed invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil with Dr. Ryan Thum. Liz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Andrew Sisson, '12, studied laboratory and field performance of the Biosand Point of Use water filtration system in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti with Dr. Rick Rediske. Andrew is a Workforce Reporting & HR Analytics Senior Analyst at Gordon Food Service.

Alex Wieten, '12, studied the population status of lake sturgeon in the Muskegon River system while in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab. Alex is a Water Quality Specialist for Ducks Unlimited.

William Keiper, '11, completed his MS degree in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab, where he studied the effects of storm water run-off on fish and snails. William is now an aquatic biologist for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Dr. Whitney Nelson, '11, studied spatial and temporal trends in the benthic macroinvertebrate populations in Muskegon Lake while in Dr. Alan Steinman's lab. Whitney earned her a PhD at the University of Arkansas and is now Scientist I at Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., in Arkansas.

Dr. Hannah Tavalire, '11, studied growth habits and invasiveness in genetically distinct but morphologically cryptic lineages of introduced variable leaf milfoil in New England in Dr. Ryan Thum's lab. Hannah is a Biostatistician Research Scientist at Advocate Health.

Dr. Matt Altenritter, '10, studied the population status and juvenile ecology of lake sturgeon in the Muskegon River system while in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab. Matt earned a PhD at the University of Maine and was a Fish Ecologist and Assistant Professor at The College of Brockport – SUNY.

Kelli (Johnson) Hicks, '10, completed her MS degree while in Dr. Al Steinman's lab, where she studied the effects of urban stormwater runoff on algal communities. Kelli is a Senior Scientist (Government Practice Lead) at Bradburne, Briller, and Johnson, LLC (BBJ), an environmental consulting firm in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Matthew Zuellig, '10, studied genetic variation and hybridization in invasive Eurasian watermilfoil in Dr. Ryan Thum's lab. Matthew is a Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Dr. Matt Cooper, '09, studied community metabolism in coastal wetlands with Drs. Don Uzarski and Alan Steinman. Matt is now an Associate Professor of Biology at GVSU.

Jessica (Higgins) Neils, '09, conducted an experimental study on overland flow and tracer transport, investigating influences of soil surface and texture under steady rainfall with Drs. Xuefeng Chu and Rick Rediske. Jessica is a stay-at-home mother in Jacksonville, NC.

Laurie Beth Nederveld, '09, researched sediment remediation impacts on macroinvertebrate community structure, assessing the success of urban stream restoration with Dr. Rick Rediske. Laurie is a Senior Ecologist at Barr Engineering in Ann Arbor, MI.

Garry Sanders, '09, worked with Bopi Biddanda to study the benthic and planktonic communities surrounding recently discovered submerged groundwater vents in Lake Huron. Garry is Senior Project Manager at Crooked River Water Council in Oregon.

Matt Breen, '08, completed his MS degree in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab, studying the movement, habitat use, and foraging of mottled sculpins in a coldwater stream. Matt is a fish biologist with the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

Dr. Janel Hagar, '08, earned her MS degree in Dr. Rick Rediske's lab. She used three different techniques to detect and quantify microcystin concentration and related her results to environmental parameters in two west Michigan lakes. Janel is an instructor at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC.

Kristin (Nelson) Thomas, '08, studied the distribution of zebra and quagga mussels in coastal areas of the Great Lakes in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab, documenting the resistance of drowned river mouth wetlands to colonization by these dreissenid mussels. Kristin is an aquatic ecologist for the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited.

Jennifer Cymbola Gray, '07, completed her MS degree in Dr. Alan Steinman's lab, where she studied the response of phytoplankton to the interaction light and phosphorus released from lake sediments. Jennifer is a senior affiliate professor of Biology at Grand Valley State University.

Nichol De Mol, '07, studied benthic macroinvertebrate response to road-stream crossing and stream bank improvements and longitudinal patterns in Bear, Pine, and Sickle Creeks in Manistee County, MI with Dr. Eric Snyder. Nichol is the Great Lakes Habitat Program Manager at Trout Unlimited.

Dr. Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones, '07, studied submersed aquatic macrophyte growth and groundwater nutrient contributions associated with development around White Lake, MI with Dr. Mark Luttenton. Jennifer earned her PhD from Michigan State University and is the owner of Restorative Lake Sciences in Spring Lake, MI.

Aaron Parker, '07, completed his MS degree in Dr. Don Uzarski's lab, where he studied phenotypic plasticity of yellow perch related to feeding ecology. Aaron is an aquatic biologist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Keto Gyekis, '06, evaluated effects of Great Lakes coastal wetland fragmentation on zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, and larval fish communities while in Dr. Don Uzarski's lab. Keto is an environmental quality specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Dana (VanHaitsma) Strouse, '06, studied predation behavior of yellow perch in Dr. Carl Ruetz's lab, documenting their selective consumption of native fishes over the invasive round goby. Dana is an environmental quality analyst for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy, Grand Rapids District.

Nancy Taylor, '06, studied nutrient loading by groundwater to White Lake, a drowned river-mouth lake in Muskegon County, Michigan with Dr. Mark Luttenton.

Elaine Sterrett Isely, '05, investigated the current use of the Michigan Natural Rivers Act as a river protection mechanism and provided new tools and information to encourage multi-jurisdictional land use planning and river protection. Elaine is the Director of Water and Low Impact Development Programs at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC).