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An AWRI graduate student holds chemistry glassware in a laboratory.

Graduate Students

Addison Bryan
Joseph Cherechinsky
Bridgette Gorg holds a large fish.
Joe Greendyk
Louie the Laker celebrates the 70-58 win over Cal-State Dominguez Hills in the NCAA Division II National Championship at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh on March 28.

Addison Bryan
Advisor: Ryan Otter
Research: Mercury deposition in the Grand River watershed
[email protected]

Joseph Cherechinsky
Advisor: Carl Ruetz
Research: Yellow perch ecology & mercury dynamics
[email protected]

Bridgette Gorg
Advisor: Stuart Jones
Research: Lake-stream networks and AUV applications in water quality research
[email protected]

Joe Greendyk
Advisor: Stuart Jones
Research: Lake Michigan salmonine population and angling dynamics
[email protected]

Angelica Gutierrez
Advisor: Sean Woznicki
Research: 
[email protected]

Elliot Hoinville
Christopher Kotkowicz
Liz Kelley
Max Larson
Graduate student John Lawrence displays a gar.

Elliot Hoinville
Advisor: Sean Woznicki
Research: Habitat modeling for lake sturgeon in West Michigan rivers
[email protected]

Christopher Kotkowicz
Advisor: Kevin Strychar
Research: Analysis of E. coli within freshwater systems
[email protected]

Liz Kelley
Advisor: Al Steinman
Research: Macroinvertebrate assemblage and sediment characteristics in Lake Macatawa
[email protected]

Max Larson
Advisor: Stuart Jones
Research: Bluegill and Pumpkinseed sunfish hybridization 
[email protected]

John Lawrence
Advisor: Carl Ruetz
Research: Age-0 Lake Sturgeon habitat use
[email protected]

Ruth Morara
Madilyn Roy
Ashley Suttner
Renee Tardani
Leo Varitek

Ruth Morara
Advisor: Stuart Jones
Research: Impacts of land use, hydrology and seasonality on water quality and ecosystem health in drowned river mouth lakes
[email protected]

Madilyn Roy
Advisor: Amanda Buday
Research: Angler and fish habitat correlation
[email protected]

Ashley Suttner
Advisor: Al Steinman
Research: Aquatic ecology
[email protected] 

Renée Tardani
Advisor: Charlyn Partridge
Research: Molecular assessment of a new harmful algae bloom prevention strategy
[email protected]

Leo Varitek
Advisor: Carl Ruetz
Research: Fish ecology in drowned river mouth lakes
[email protected]

Addison Yerks
Emma Yonker

Addison Yerks
Advisor: Stuart Jones
Research: Nutrient transport and zooplankton community dynamics in Lake Michigan drowned river mouth lakes
[email protected]

Emma Yonker
Advisor: Amanda Buday
Research: Fishing access and policy funding
[email protected]

Page last modified September 2, 2026