Jamey Anderson
- Assistant Director, Marine Operations
- Manager, Marine Research Assets Shared Facility
- jameya@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2914
- GLRC 309
Specialties
- Oversee research buoys
- Maintain and repair Remote Operated Vehicles
- Maintain R/V Agassiz to USCG standards
- Maintain and operate survey vessels
- Provide electrical and mechanical support of specialized research equipment
- Expanded Biography
Jenny Apriesnig
- Assistant Professor of Economics, College of Business
- jlapries@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2223
- Academic Office Building 123
Teaching Interests
- Principles of Economics
- Microeconomics
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Research Interests
- Coupled human and environmental systems
- Fishery economics and management
- Computable General Equilibrium Modeling
- Natural Capital Valuation
Martin T. Auer
- Professor Emeritus, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Surface water quality engineering
Research Interests
- Limnology
- Engineering approaches to lake and river management
- Mathematical modeling of surface water quality
Nancy A. Auer
- Emeritus Research Professor, Biological Sciences
- naauer@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2353
- Dow 732
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Fish Biology
- Zooplankton ecology
- Limnology
- Conservation Biology
Melissa F. Baird
- Associate Professor of Anthropology
- Graduate Director, Social Sciences
- mfbaird@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2366
- Academic Office Building 209A
Research Interests
- Extractive zones
- Critical heritage
- Forensic heritage
- Expert knowledge
- Ethnographic methods
- Politics of archaeology
Brian D. Barkdoll, PE
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- barkdoll@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1981
- Dow 807
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Dam Decommissioning
- Environmental Engineering
- Hydraulic Structures
- River Mechanics
- Sediment Transport
- Stream Rehabilitation
- Sustainability
Andrew Barnard
- Director, Great Lakes Research Center
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering—Engineering Mechanics
- Faculty Advisor, SENSE Enterprise
- arbarnar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2412
- GLRC 307
Areas of Expertise
- Acoustics
- Noise Control
- Vibration
- Real Time Control Systems
- LabVIEW programming and instruction
Research Interests
- Advanced Measurements and Signal Processing
- Acoustic Intensity and Vector Sensors
- Room Acoustics
- Acoustic Material Characterization
- Outdoor Sound Propagation
- Physical Acoustics
- NI LabVIEW Data Acquisition and Control
- Microphones
- Crowd Noise
- Underwater Acoustics
- Structural Acoustics
- Array Signal Processing
Jennifer Becker
- Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
- jgbecker@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2942
- Dow 864
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Water and wastewater treatment
- Biological treatment processes
Research Interests
- Bioremediation of Contaminated Groundwater Environments
- Microbial Ecology and Kinetics of Chlorinated Aliphatic Solvent Biodegradation
- Conversion of Organic Solid Wastes and Cellulosic Feedstocks to Electricity via Microbial Fuel Cells
Leonard J. Bohmann
- Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- ljbohman@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2005
- M&M 707
Areas of Interest
- Electric power systems analysis
- Utility applications of power electronics (HVDC, SVC, FACTS)
- Power system dynamics
- Power system transients
- Renewable energy generation and integration in power systems
- Student retention and success
William S. Breffle
- Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business
- wsbreffl@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1959
- Academic Office Building G019
Teaching Interests
- Environmental economics
- International economics
- Mathematical economics
- Principles of economics
Research Interests
- Non-market valuation
- Discrete choice modeling
- Benefit-cost analysis
- Environmental sustainability
Colin Brooks
- Senior Research Scientist, Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)
- Adjunct Lecturer, Biological Sciences
- cnbrooks@mtu.edu
- 734-913-6858
- Cell: 734-604-4196
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Areas of Expertise
- Transportation Applications Including Road and Bridge Condition Assessment
- Mapping of Changing Ecosystems
- Agricultural Remote Sensing
- Geohazard Evaluation
- Invasive Species Mapping With a Focus on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
- Developing Unmanned Aerial System Capabilities
- 3D Optical, Multispectral, Thermal, and LiDAR Sensing
- Decision Support System and App Development
- Integration of Remote Sensing Technologies Into Sponsor Workflows
- Research Project Management
Research Interests
- Aquatic and Landscape Ecology
- Invasive Species Mapping
- Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring
- Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Assessment of Transportation Infrastructure Condition Using Remote Sensing
- Automated Road and Bridge Condition Analysis
- Multispectral Sensing
- Development and Deployment of Decision Support Systems
- Land Cover Change Mapping and Monitoring
Gary A. Campbell
- Professor of Natural Resource Economics, College of Business
- Director of MS in Applied Natural Resource Economics
- Affiliate Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- gacampbe@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2808
- Academic Office Building 122
Teaching Interests
- Natural Resource Economics
- Principles of Economics
- International Economics
Specialties
- Metal markets
- Sustainability of mining
- Social decision-making about resource use
Angie Carter
- Assistant Professor, Environmental/Energy Justice
- ancarter@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1431
- Academic Office Building
Areas of Expertise
- Environmental & rural sociology
- Community-based and participatory research
- Social movements and social change
- Gender & ecofeminism
- Agrifood systems
Joan Chadde-Schumaker
- Director, Center for Science and Environmental Outreach
- Instructor, Cognitive and Learning Sciences
- jchadde@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3341
- GLRC 115
Areas of Expertise
- Great Lakes education and stewardship
- Watershed management ; stream monitoring
- Environmental education
- Elementary engineering and STEM education
- K-12 science education
- K-12 teacher professional development
- Communicating Science to a lay audience
Rupali Datta
- Professor, Biological Sciences
- rupdatta@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1783
- Dow 530
Links of Interest
Specialties
- Plant Biochemistry
- Environmental Remediation
- Plant-Microbe Interactions
Carolyn A. Duncan
- Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
- caduncan@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2147
- SDC 121A
Research Interests
- Mobility and postural control in aging and special populations
- Ergonomics and design of built environments for special populations
"Good things come in small packages—you can get a GREAT liberal arts education from
us. Our graduates get jobs and enroll in fine graduate programs at universities like
Yale, Michigan, and Johns Hopkins."
—Mary Durfee
—Mary Durfee
Mary H. Durfee
- Professor Emerita
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Great Lakes of North America
- International Law
- Malta
- Scholarship of Pedagogy
- Arctic Affairs
Ana Dyreson
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
- adyreson@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1173
- MEEM 801
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Solar photovoltaic and thermal power plants
- Electricity grid operational modeling
- Energy-water nexus
Research Interests
- Grid integration under high penetrations of wind and solar energy
- Drought and heat impacts on power systems
- Thermal power plant modeling
- Hybrid power plant value propositions
- Electricity load modeling
Beth Frederick
- Custodian
Valoree Gagnon
- Director, University-Indigenous Community Partnerships, Great Lakes Research Center
- Assistant Professor, College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
- vsgagnon@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2180
- Noblet Building 168
Research Interests
- University-Community Partnerships, research engagement, and equitable practice and design
- Environmental Justice and Policy, toxic substances, risk management, and promoting holistic health
- Indigenous / Native American Studies, treaties and the government-to-government relationship, food sovereignty, and Indigenous wisdom in the Great Lakes region
- Environmental Stewardship and the Seven Generations Philosophy
"Start from a place of "we"; practice proactive sharing; foster personal awareness;
be the educator, be the learner; live the agreements"
—Five Agreements of Organizational Sensitivity
—Five Agreements of Organizational Sensitivity
Jackie Gebhardt, PMP
- Coordinator, Great Lakes Research Center
- jjgebhar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3586
- GLRC 319
John S. Gierke, PE
- Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Affiliated Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- jsgierke@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2535
- Dow 405
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Hydrogeology
- Ground water Engineering
- Contaminant Transport
- Subsurface Remediation
Research Interests
- Field performance of air sparging for removing volatile organic chemicals from ground water
- Volatile organic vapor transport in unsaturated soils
- Sulfur dioxide interactions with volcanic ash
Amanda Gonczi
- Assistant Research Scientist, Great Lakes Research Center
- Instructor, Cognitive and Learning Sciences
- Director of Research and Evaluation, Michigan Science Teaching and Assessment Reform
Areas of Expertise
- Design and implementation of professional development for K-12 and undergraduate STEM teachers
- K-12 STEM education research
- Program evaluation
Research Interests
- Instructional practices that support environmental literacy and stewardship
- Integration of computing into STEM education
- Teachers beliefs about reforms-based science instruction including nature of science, inquiry, engineering, Next Generation Science Standards, and technology integration
- Professional development elements (remote and face-to-face) that support instructional change, teacher leadership and reforms-based science instruction
- Using levels of inquiry to support teachers' understanding and integration of mathematical and scientific inquiry in k-12 education
- Teachers' understandings regarding key concepts in science including respiration and photosynthesis
Hugh S. Gorman
- Professor Emeritus of Environmental History and Policy
Fields
- Environmental Policy and History
- History of Technology
- History of Science
- Economic History
Research Interests
- The historical interaction between technological change, uses of the environment, and systems of governance
- Adaptive governance
- Sustainable energy and environmental policy
Sarah A. Green
- Interim Department Chair, Chemistry
- Professor, Chemistry
- sgreen@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2048
- Chemical Sciences 607
Research Interests
- Climate change communication
- Science-policy interface
- Youth engagement in climate policy
- Response of aquatic systems to climate change
- Great Lakes
- Fluorescence-based analytical methods
- Aerosol chemistry
- Origin and fate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in terrestrial, lake, and marine environments
- Methods for detection of free radicals, photochemical transformations of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds in the environment
- Integration of biological, geological, physical, and chemical data for understanding global cycles.
Michael R. Gretz
- Professor, Biological Sciences
- Director, Chemical Advanced Resolution Methods Laboratory
Research Interests
- Algal Extracellular Polymers and Biocomposites - Regulation of Biogenesis
David Hand
- Professor Emeritus, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Research Interests
- Development and application of physical and chemical processes for the recovery, removal, or destruction of organic compounds from air and water streams in industrial processes and the environment
Jeffery Pereira Hollingsworth
- Professor of Practice, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- jphollin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2445
- Dow 802
Research Interests
- UAV Uses and Geomatics Applications
- Spatial Data Adjustments
- Multibeam/Single Beam Hydrographic Surveying and Bathymetric Surveys
- Boundary Determinations and Legal Principles
- Terrestrial LiDAR integration and GIS
Alexandra Holmstrom
- Coordinator, Great Lakes Research Center
- aholmstr@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2043
- GLRC 320
Elizabeth Hoy
- Director, Business & Program Development
- Great Lakes Research Center
- elizabeth@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1208
- GLRC 321
Specialties
- Facilitates partnerships that support Institute growth
- Directs the development and distribution of outreach material to external partners
- Oversees administrative operations
Chenfu Huang
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Great Lakes Research Center
- chenfuh@mtu.edu
- GLRC 112
Education
- PhD, Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 2021
- MS, Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 2014
- BS, Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological Univeristy, 2012
Research Interests
- Hydrodynamic Modeling
- Cross-Scale Hydrodynamics in the Great Lakes
- Model Coupling of the Wind-Wave-Current Interactions
Casey J Huckins
- Professor, Biological Sciences
- cjhuckin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2475
- Dow 716, GLRC 206
Research Expertise
- Ecology of lakes, streams, and their riparian interface with terrestrial systems
- Fish ecology, biology, functional morphology
- effects of land use on ecological systems
- Biomonitoring for research and restoration
- Effects of Invasive Species
Liza Jenkins
- Research Scientist, Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)
- lliverse@mtu.edu
- 734-913-6869
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Areas of Expertise
- Satellite Remote Sensing
- Spatial Data Analysis
Research Interests
- Fusing Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar Data
- Innovative Field Data Collection Schemes and Sensors
- Temporal Monitoring and Detection of Landscape Change, and Big Data Analysis For Natural Resource Applications
- Arctic and Boreal Systems in the Domains of Fires, Lakes, Peatlands, Wetlands, and Glaciers
"Cellulose is the fiber of human civilization."
Chandrashekhar P. Joshi
- Department Chair and Professor, Biological Sciences
- Affiliated Professor, CFRES
- cpjoshi@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2738
- Dow 741
Links of Interest
Research Interests: Biological Sciences
- Plant Molecular Genetics
Areas of Expertise: Biology and Forestry
- Cellulose and lignin biosynthesis in trees
- Wood formation
- Tree growth and development
- Engineering trees
- Forest bioinformatics
Jim Junker
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Great Lakes Research Center
Education
- PhD, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, 2019
- MS, Biological Sciences, Montana State University, 2011
- BS, Natural Resources - Fish and Wildlife Ecology, Northland College, 2007
Research Interests
- The energetics and dynamics of food webs and ecological networks
- Biodiversity patterns in space and time
- The coupling of energy and elements in ecological processes
- Ecological theory
- Philosophy of Science
"If trees could run away from their place of establishment, believe me many of them
probably would!"
Evan S. Kane
- Associate Professor
- eskane@mtu.edu
- 906-482-6303
- Forest Service Building 123
Areas of Expertise
- Soil carbon
- Plant/soil relationships
- Decomposition
- Dissolved organic carbon
- Wildfire
- Black carbon
Charles Kerfoot
- Research Professor, Biological Sciences
- Adjunct Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- wkerfoot@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2769
- GLRC 305, office
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Aquatic Ecology
- Paleoecology
Erik Kocher
- Research Engineer - Electrical Engineer, Great Lakes Research Center
- ehkocher@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2094
- GLRC 310
Research Interests
- Marine & Naval Engineering
- Electro-Mechanical Systems
- Self-driving/Autonomous Systems
- Robotics
- Controls
- Acoustics/Vibration
Specialties
- Support GLRC Research Projects & Programs
- Coordinate GLRC Engineering Lab & Shop Space
- Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering
- Maritime and Naval Systems Design, Assembly, and Operation
- Certified Fanuc Robotics Technician
- State certified Firefighter & First Responder with additional training in Search & Rescue, First Aid, Ice Rescue, and Hazmat Emergency Response
Don Lafreniere
- Department Chair, Social Sciences
- Director, Geospatial Research Facility
- Associate Professor of Geography and GIS
- djlafren@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2189
- AOB 215/GLRC 318
Research Interests
- Environmental Change and Life Course Epidemiology
- Urban Environments and Population Health
- Public Participatory GIS
- Historical GIS & Deep Mapping
- Spatial Humanities
- Deindustrialization and Shrinking Cities
- Time-Space Integration and Modeling in GIS
- Demography and Historical Record Linkage
- Sense of Place and Neighborhood Construction
Nancy Langston
- Distinguished Professor of Environmental History, Social Sciences
- Affiliated Professor, CFRES
- nelangs3@mtu.edu
- Academic Office Building 220
Areas of Interest
- Toxics, forested watersheds, and northern lakes
- Environmental history
- Watershed change and water quality
- Mining history
John D. Lenters
- Associate Research Scientist, Great Lakes Research Center
- Adjunct Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Instructor, Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics
- jdlenter@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3197
- GLRC 305
Areas of Expertise
-
- Lake evaporation
- Physical limnology
- Great Lakes weather and climate
- Surface waves and coastal storms
- Air-sea interaction
- Autonomous buoys
- Watershed hydrology
- Global and regional climate change
Research Interests
- Impacts of climate on lake temperature and ice cover
- Lake surface energy balance studies
- Marine weather observations and forecasting
- Great Lakes evaporation and water levels
- Climate impacts on lake and land surface hydrology
- Mesoscale and boundary layer meteorology
- Great Lakes observation networks
- Societal impacts of climate change
- Autonomous sensors at the lake-air interface
Eugene Levin, CP
- Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Director, Integrated Geospatial Technology Graduate Program
- Faculty Advisor, Digital Mapping Enterprise
- elevin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2446
- Dow 819
Research Interests
- Integrated geospatial technologies for sustainable development
- Mobile mapping platforms for geographical and environmental studies
- SAR- and LIDAR-based remote sensing and GIS
- Geosensorics, real-time networks of geosensors
- Human-computer symbiosis for knowledge extraction and expertise transfer
- Visual perception in remote sensing and GIS
- 3-D geospatial visualization and augmented reality
- Visual and automated feature extraction in multispectral and hyperspectral image interpretation
- Geospatial-sensor modeling and calibration
- Image processing and automated feature extraction from aerial and satellite imagery
- Automated systems for vision-based autonomous navigation and control of manned/unmanned robotic platforms
- Image fusion and analysis
- Photogrammetry of aerial and high-resolution satellite imagery
Teaching Interests
- Earth observation systems
- Geodesy
- Photogrammetry
- Geospatial technologies, data, and systems
- Global positioning systems
- Remote sensing
- LIDAR-, SAR-/InSAR-based remote sensing
- Geospatial 3-D visualization
- Geospatial imaging: perception and interpretation
- Introductory and advanced GIS
- Spatial analysis and modeling
- Spatial decision support
- Cartography and cybercartography
Daniel J. Lizzadro-McPherson
- Geospatial Research Scientist
- djlizzad@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3418
- GLRC 316
Areas of Expertise
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geostatistical Analysis
- Lake Superior Geology, Coastal Geomorphology, and Geoheritage
- GPS, GIS Data Collector Applications, and Mapping Technologies
- Web-based GIS Data Dissemination and Applications
- Interdisciplinary GIS Project Management
Carol A. MacLennan
- Professor Emerita of Anthropology, Social Sciences
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Environmental anthropology/political ecology
- Anthropology of industry (mining, sugar)
- Hawai`i and the Pacific
- Anthropology of public policy
Amy M Marcarelli
- Professor, Biological Sciences
- ammarcar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2867
- Dow 727
Research Interests
- Limnology
- Ecosystem Ecology of Streams and Rivers
- Biogeochemistry
Patrick E. Martin
- Professor Emeritus of Archaeology
- pemartin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2070
- Annex 205
Areas of Expertise
- Industrial archaeology
- Industrial heritage
- Historical archaeology
Audrey L. Mayer
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Links of Interest
- Private Land Management and Voluntary Incentive Programs project
- Sustainable Futures Institute
- Follow me on Twitter! @AudreyLMayer
Areas of Expertise
- Landscape ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
- Sustainability science
Alex S. Mayer, PE
- Professor Emeritus, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Teaching Interests
- Groundwater flow and transport and subsurface remediation
Research Interests
- Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Contaminant Transport in Groundwater Vadose Zones
- Mathematical Optimization of Groundwater Remediation Systems: Multi-Objective and Uncertainty Problems
- Surfactant-Enhanced Dissolution of Nonaqueous Phase Liquids in Subsurface Systems
- Groundwater Flow in a Fault Zone in the Vicinity of Desert Hot Springs, California
- Simulation of Saltwater Intrusion in the Guaymas Valley, Sonora, Mexico California
Lynn R. Mazzoleni
- Associate Professor, Chemistry
- lrmazzol@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1853
- Chem Sci 402D
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Understanding the identities, occurrence, and transformation of aerosol organic compounds
- Identifying organic aerosol constituents from a variety of atmospheric environments
- Exploration of new LC column chemistries with ultrahigh pressure pumps for fast and thorough separations
- Aqueous reaction pathways
Cory P. McDonald
- Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- cpmcdona@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2898
- Dow 815
Teaching Interests
- Surface Water Quality Engineering
- Water Quality Modeling
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Limnology
- Aquatic-terrestrial connectivity and landscape-scale drivers of water quality
- Water quality modeling
- Carbon cycling and ecosystem metabolism
- Nutrient biogeochemistry
Guy Meadows
- Director, Marine Engineering Laboratory
- Robbins Professor of Sustainable Marine Engineering
- Research Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
- gmeadows@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1106
- GLRC 303
Research Interests
- Large scale field experimentation in the Inland Seas of the Great Lakes and coastal oceans
- Nearshore hydrodynamics and prediction
- Autonomous and semi-autonomous environmental monitoring platforms (surface and sub-surface)
- Underwater acoustic remote sensing
- Marine engineering
Thomas E. Merz
- Professor of Economics, College of Business
- temerz@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2805
- Academic Office Building G007
Teaching Interests
- Game theory
- Public sector economics
- Microeconomic theory
Research Interests
- Game theory
- Public sector economics
- Microeconomic theory
Daisuke Minakata
- Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
- Affiliated Associate Professor, Department of Physics
- dminakat@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1830
- Dow 801
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes
- Environmental Process and Design
- Computational Environmental Engineering and Chemistry
Research Interests
- Sustainable water and wastewater treatment and management
- Development of assessing and predicting tools for water treatment technologies
- Innovative water and wastewater treatment technologies for energy saving and harvesting
- Systematic and integrated understanding of water and wastewater reuse
- Application of computational chemistry and molecular modeling
Daya Muralidharan
- Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics, College of Business
Teaching Interests
- Natural resource economics
- Environmental economics
- Water resource economics
- Microeconomics
- Econometrics
Research Interests
- Water management and drainage in agriculture
- Groundwater management
- Forest use in developing economies
- Groundwater quality externalities
Jill A. Olin
- Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
- jaolin@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1121
- GLRC 221
Areas of Expertise
- Ecology of aquatic systems
- Fisheries science
- Aquatic-terrestrial energy linkages
- Dietary biomarkers (e.g., stable isotopes, fatty acids, compound-specific isotopes of AA and FA)
- Trophic ecology of top predators in marine, estuarine and coastal communities
- Predator-prey interactions
Research Interests
- Understanding species- and food web-level responses to environmental stressors using combined dietary biomarker, ecological and modeling approaches
- Evaluating distributional patterns of organisms and the mechanisms that drive these patterns
- Using abundance and biomass estimates to quantify nekton communities
- Quantifying the mechanisms and processes that structure food webs and ecosystems
- Developing ecosystem models to evaluate the effect of environmental change
Lei Pan
- Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
- leipan@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2569
- Chem Sci 202J
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Particulate Separation
- Surface Chemistry
- Process Modelling
Gord Paterson
- Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
- gpaterso@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1120
- GLRC 112
Areas of Expertise
- Legacy and emerging pollutants
- Ecotoxicology
- Great Lakes fisheries
- Multiple stressors
- Fisheries bioenergetics
Research Interests
- Using pollutants as ecological tracers
- Overwintering bioaccumulation and bioamplification
- Energy dynamics in Great Lakes food-webs
- Energetic costs of multiple stressors
Judith A. Perlinger
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- jperl@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3641
- Dow 863
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Environmental Engineering
- Transport & Transformation of Organic Chemicals
- Boundary Layer Meteorology
- Sustainability
Research Interests
- Air and Water Quality
- Atmosphere-biosphere Exchange of Chemicals
- Micrometeorology
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry
- Sustainability
Christopher Pinnow
- Electronics/Computer Engineer, Great Lakes Research Center
- ckpinnow@mtu.edu
- 906-487-0007
- GLRC 308, B001
Specialties
- Support GLRC research programs
- Focus on measurements of the over water and in-water environments
- Support design, fabrication, testing & utilization of prototype field deployable instruments, including programming and decision support algorithms
- Statistical analysis of remote sensing and in situ data sets
- Expanded Biography
Tom Polkinghorn
- Building Mechanic III
Smitha Rao
- Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- smithar@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3230
- M&M 410A
Links of Interests
Research Interests
- Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
- Nanotechnology
- Microfluidics for cancer research
- Microenvironment platforms to characterize cellular interactions
- Sensors and devices for biomedical sensing and implantable devices
- Piezo-based polymeric sensors
- Microscale devices for biomedical sensors
- Electrospun fibers for scaffold and electrical sensing
Mark D. Rouleau
- Associate Professor, Social Sciences
- mdroulea@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2039
- Academic Office Building 205
Research Interests
- Social simulation
- Agent-based modeling
- Land-use modeling
- Norm evolution
- Survey design
- International relations
Ashraf I. Saleem
- Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Computing
- Affiliated Faculty, Computational Science & Engineering
- ashraf@mtu.edu
- (906) 487-2384
- EERC 312
Teaching Interests
- Data Acquisition and Signal Processing
- Senior Design
- Mechatronics system design and integration
- Modeling and simulation of complex systems
- Sensors and actuators
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Control system design
- Instrumentation and measurements
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Data acquisition and real-time control
-
Robotics system design and Integration
-
UAV-based Remote Sensing
- Drone-based oil spill detection in Ocean
-
Artificial Intelligence Applications in Remote Sensing
-
Computer Vision and AI
- Control of Pneumatic Systems
"Whereas innovation, in the backwards reading of creativity, lies outside of time,
improvisation, in a forward reading, is inherently temporal."
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
—Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold (2007) Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Berg, New York.
Timothy J. Scarlett
- Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology
- scarlett@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2359
- Academic Office Building 210
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Historical and Industrial Archaeologies
- Creativity and Work Process
- Archaeometry and Conservation Sciences
- Remote Sensing, Survey, and Geospatial Sciences
- Community-based scholarship, public science/humanities
- Heritage, Placemaking, and Culture Building
Chelsea Schelly
- Associate Professor of Sociology
- Affiliated Associate Professor, CFRES
- cschelly@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1759
- Academic Office Building 200A
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Alternative technology adoption
- Renewable energy technologies
- Renewable and alternative technology policy
- Sustainable communities
- Energy conservation and consumption practices
- Self-provisioning
- Environmental education
Eric Seagren, PE
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Affiliated Professor, Biological Sciences
- eseagren@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2614
- Dow 859
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Environmental biotechnology, including in situ bioremediation of contaminated subsurface environments, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of biological treatment processes, development of in situ biological treatment systems for urban storm water runoff, innovative reuse of waste materials, and in situ improvement of soils properties via microbially-mediated processes.
Bruce Seely
- Professor Emeritus of History and Science, Technology and Society
- bseely@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2070
- Annex 205
Robert Shuchman
- Co-Director, Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI)
- Research Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- Adjunct Research Professor, Biological Sciences
- shuchman@mtu.edu
- 734-913-6860
- Cell: 734-649-0937
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Areas of Expertise
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications
- Multispectral and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
- Applied Photo Imaging
- Sea and Lake Ice
- Environmental in situ Sensing
Research Interests
- Great Lakes Remote Sensing
- Ocean Optics
- High Latitude Oceanography
- Dynamic Decision Support Systems
- Water Quality of Inland Lakes
Roman Sidortsov
- Associate Professor, Energy Policy
- rsidortsov@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1095
- Academic Office Building 206
Research Interests
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Energy Security and Justice
- Risk Governance of the Energy Sector
- Arctic Energy Development
- Russian Energy Policy
- U.S. Energy Policy
Areas of Expertise
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Comparative and International Energy Law
- U.S. Energy Law
- U.S. Environmental Law
- Russian Energy and Environmental Law
- Energy Geopolitics
Jason Swain
- Captain and Marine Logistics Coordinator, Great Lakes Research Center
- jdswain@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1584
- GLRC 317
Specialties
- USCG Licensed Captain - 100 Ton Master
- R/V AGASSIZ Captain responsible for the safety of all crew, safe operation and navigation of the boat, assisting with the operation of scientific equipment, following all applicable local and federal rules/regulations
- Coordinate use of Marine Research Assets Shared Facility (MRAF) to support the needs of faculty,staff, and the public. Liaison for Smart Ships Coalition and Marine Autonomous Research Site (MARS)
- Support for proposal and budget development and assists with project management. Assist with research buoy assembly and maintenance
- USCG Retired with 20 years of experience in Search & Rescue, Law Enforcement, Vessel operation, Navigation, Risk Management, training, and workforce development
Stephen Techtmann
- Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
- smtechtm@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3250
- Dow 531
Research Interests
- Environmental Microbiology
- Next-generation sequencing technology and bioinformatics
- Microbial physiology and biochemistry
- Microbes as sensors for the environmental impacts of oil and gas production
- Microbially-mediated remediation of crude oil contamination
- Sustainability and plastic biodegradation
Dan Trepal
- Senior Geospatial Research Scientist
- djtrepal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3580
- GLRC 318
Education
- PhD, Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- MS, Industrial Archaeology, Michigan Technological University
- BS, Anthropology and History, Cleveland State University
Research Interests
- Industrial and Urban Archaeology
- Historical GIS
- Deindustrialization
- Industrial Landscapes
- The Archaeology of Brownfields
- Spatial Analysis of Historical Industrial Pollutants
- Big Data Approaches to Archaeology
- Publicly-engaged Scholarship
Roger Turpening
- Research Professor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
- roger@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1784
- Dow 624
Noel R. Urban
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- nurban@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3640
- 306 GLRC
Links of Interest
Research Interests
- Environmental cycles of major and trace elements
- Sediment diagenesis and stratigraphy
- Chemistry of natural organic matter
- Wetland biogeochemistry
- Environmental impact and fate of pollutants
- Influence of organisms on the chemical environment
- Role of chemical environment in controlling populations
Trista Vick-Majors
- Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
- tjvickma@mtu.edu
- GLRC 114
Research Interests
- Microbial Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Limnology
- Cryosphere
Erika Vye
- Geosciences Research Scientist, Great Lakes Research Center
- ecvye@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1581
- GLRC 312
Areas of Interest
- Geosciences Education
- Geoconservation
- Geoheritage
- National Marine Sanctuary
- Great Lakes Indigenous Knowledge
- University-Indigenous Community Partnerships
Craig Waddell
- Emeritus Professor of Rhetoric, Humanities
"I find it astonishing that any man can regard fine machinery without admiration."
—John William Stone (in Stones Fall, by Iain Pears)
—John William Stone (in Stones Fall, by Iain Pears)
Steven A. Walton
- Associate Professor of History
- sawalton@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3272
- Academic Office Building 224
Areas of Expertise
- history of technology
- history of science
- artillery, fortification, ordnance
- history of engineering
- military history
- Early Modern European history
Zhaohui Wang
- Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- zhaohuiw@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2054
- EERC 506
Links of Interest
Areas of Interest
- Communications
- Signal processing
- Communication networks
- Network security
- Emphasis on underwater acoustic applications
David Watkins, PE
- Distinguished Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- dwatkins@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1640
- Dow 806
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Water resources planning and management
- Environmental systems analysis
- Hydrologic and hydraulic engineering
- Optimization methods
- Learning through service
Research Interests
- Integrated water resources planning
- Hydrologic modeling and forecasting
- Flood risk management
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation planning
- Food-Energy-Water Nexus
- Systems optimization under uncertainty
- Sustainable development engineering
Melanie Kueber Watkins, PE
- Research Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- mkueber@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2218
- Dow 862
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- River and Floodplain Hydraulics
- Water Resources Modeling & Design
- Water/wastewater/storm systems design
- Senior Design
- International Senior Design
- Statics
Research Interests
- 1D & 2D water modeling using 3D surfaces
- Flood inundation mapping
- Modeling using large lidar and digital bathymetry datasets
- Water management structure design for highways, industrial developments: culverts, bridge openings, storm sewers, in-line detention/ponds, floodway/floodplain mitigation
- Sanitary sewer force main rehabilitation rehab research & design including pump station evaluations
Veronica L. Webster, PE
- Associate Professor, Water Resources Engineering
- vlweb@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1079
- Dillman 201D
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Probability and statistics
- Stochastic hydrology
- Numerical methods
- Water resources
- Risk analysis and management
Research Interests
- Water resources
- Uncertainty analysis
- Flood frequency and analysis of extreme events
- Impacts of climate and land use changes
"Academics are the only people I can think of for whom this sentence makes sense:
'I'm hoping to get some time off so that I can get some work done.'"
—Sidney Verba
—Sidney Verba
Adam M. Wellstead
- Professor of Public Policy, Social Sciences
- awellste@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2115
- Academic Office Building 227
Links of Interest
Areas of Expertise
- Policy advisory systems
- Governance and political mechanisms
- Survey research
- Policy process frameworks
Areas of Interest
- Canadian Energy and Environmental Issues
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Oil Sands Development
- Forest Policy
- Canadian Studies
- Policy Innovation Labs
- Policy Design
Lloyd Wescoat
- Education Program Assistant & Service Learning
Travis White
- Research Engineer, Great Lakes Research Center
- Relief Captain, Great Lakes Research Center
- tmwhite@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2877
- GLRC 311
Specialties
- Responsible for administration of the Marine Autonomy Research Site and Smart Ships Coalition and coordination with the Marine Research Assets Shared Use Facility (MRAF) in support of client needs.
- Provide scientific and engineering support to faculty, staff, partners, and sponsors with expertise in design, manufacturing, and integration of marine systems. Support budget and proposal development, project management, and strategic planning.
- Over 10 years' experience as a licensed captain on the Great Lakes with expertise in navigation systems, marine electronics, mechanical systems, and maintenance, repair, and operations.
- Expanded Biography.
Ryan Williams, GISP
- Assistant Director, Geospatial Research Facility
- rywillia@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1485
- GLRC 312
Areas of Expertise
- Geographic Information Systems
- Database Development
- GIS Tool and Process Development
- Integrating Web, GIS, Database and Analytics Tools
Richelle L. Winkler
- Professor of Sociology and Demography, Social Sciences
- rwinkler@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1886
- Academic Office Building 217
Areas of Expertise
- Rural Sociology
- Population and Environment
- Environmental Sociology
- Community Engaged Scholarship
- Internal Migration
- GIS and spatial analysis
Christopher Wojick
- Senior Researcher, Program Evaluation
- Great Lakes Research Center
- clwojick@mtu.edu
- GLRC
Pengfei Xue
- Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Director, Numerical Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Great Lakes Research Center
- pexue@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1837
- GLRC 317
Links of Interest
Teaching Interests
- Introductory Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Hydrodynamic Modeling
- Water Resources Engineering
- Ecosystem Dynamics Modeling
Research Interests
- Hydrodynamic modeling
- Regional climate modeling
- Coupled ocean-atmosphere dynamics
- Data assimilation and machine learning
- Biophysical processes in the Great Lakes
- Estuary and coastal ocean processes
Xinyu Ye
- Research Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- xinyuy@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3138
- GLRC 116
Research Interests
- Hydrodynamic Models in the Great Lakes
- Regional-scale Climate Modeling
Lucille Zelazny
- Research Assistant, Biological Sciences
- lzelazny@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2791
- GLRC 206
Lan (Emily) Zhang
- Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Affiliated Assistant Professor, Computer Science
- lanzhang@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1090
- EERC 623
Links of Interest
Teaching
- EE/CS 5821 Computational Intelligence
- EE4723 Network Security
- EE4370 IoT Application and Design
Areas of Interest
- Wireless Communications (e.g., RIS, mmWave, CPS, industrial-IoT)
- Big Data (e.g., machine learning, smart transportation, eHealth)
- Cybersecurity and Privacy (e.g., IoT/CPS, learning pipeline, blockchain)
Longhuan Zhu
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Great Lakes Research Center
Education
- Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering (Coastal Engineering Focus), University of Maine, 2020
- M.Eng., Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Tianjin University, 2015
- B.Eng., Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Tianjin University, 2012
- B.Mgt., Project Management, Tianjin University, 2012
Research Interests
-
Hydrodynamic modeling with focus on wave-current-sediment processes
-
Modeling nearshore coastal processes with engineering applications
-
Nature-based solutions for coastal protection with focus on flow-vegetation-sediment interaction and wave attenuation
-
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with focus on multiphase flow and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling
-
Hydrodynamic performance of offshore engineering structures and aquaculture structure systems