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Freshwater Scientists to Convene in Detroit May 15-19

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2017

Discussions focus on problems and solutions for the world’s large lakes

DETROIT — What is causing harmful algae blooms and how do we protect water supplies? What’s the latest science on microplastics pollution in our lakes? How are we modeling fish responses to changing habitat? What is the Great Lakes Early Warning System?

These questions, and many others, will be explored at the 60th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research, which will draw more than 1,000 scientists from around the world to Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich., May 15-19.
 
From Cities to Farms: Shaping Great Lakes Ecosystems is the theme for the conference, convened by the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) and hosted by Michigan Sea Grant, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. More than 800 oral and poster presentations are scheduled during the weeklong event.

The conference also marks the 50th anniversary of IAGLR, which publishes the prestigious Journal of Great Lakes Research and supports the scientific community in the exploration, discussion, and resolution of Great Lakes issues through its network of individual and sustaining members. The anniversary will be toasted at an evening banquet and awards ceremony May 18 aboard the Detroit Princess on the Detroit River.

Keynote Speakers
Joan Rose will speak about the science of water quality and public health in the Great Lakes on Tuesday, May 16, at 11 a.m. in the Cobo Center Ambassador Ballroom. She is an international expert in water microbiology, water quality and public health safety. She is the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University in the departments of Fisheries & Wildlife, and Plant, Soil and Microbiological Science and currently leads the Global Water Pathogens Project, in partnership with UNESCO. Dr. Rose is the winner of the 2016 Stockholm Water Prize.  

Cameron Davis will speak about Great Lakes evolution in a time of hyper change on Thursday, May 18, at 11 a.m. in the Cobo Center Ambassador Ballroom. Davis has more than 30 years’ experience in integrating policy, law, science and economics. Previously, as senior advisor to two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrators in Washington, D.C., he coordinated the work of 11 federal departments. His work included federal policy and funding coordination valued at more than $2 billion under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (District 15-Dearborn) will drop the puck at the annual U.S. vs. Canada Defy Cup hockey match, scheduled for May 17, 8:30-10 p.m. at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center. The friendly hockey game is a benefit to raise funds for IAGLR scholarships.

Sessions of Interest
Restoring Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Lessons and Challenges
The goal of this special symposium is to review and evaluate what has been achieved and learned through 32 years of Remedial Action Plans to restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern. For more information on this session, contact John Hartig, [email protected].

Plastics Research in the Great Lakes: Identifying Gaps and Facilitating Collaboration
The ecosystem impact of plastic litter (from nano- to micro- to macro-sized) in the Great Lakes is a growing area of research. The goal of this discussion is to promote collaboration and exchange of information among academic, agency and NGO researchers and managers, and informally identify research priorities and data needs related to research of Great Lakes plastic litter. For more information on this session, contact Sarah Zack, [email protected]; or Melissa Duhaime, [email protected].

Harmful Algal Blooms from Watershed Influence to Ecosystem Effects
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Great Lakes degrade water quality, deter recreation and increase costs for water treatment plants. While causes of HABs are well known (i.e., nutrient loading, light, temperature), understanding exact sources of nutrients, triggers of toxicity, effective strategies to reduce nutrient loading, and effects on the lake ecosystem requires discipline-spanning research. For more information on this session, contact Mary Anne Evans, [email protected].

CONFERENCE HOSTS
Jim Diana
Director, Michigan Sea Grant College Program; Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan
(734) 763-5834
[email protected]

Donna Kashian
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University
(313) 577-8052
[email protected]

Rhett Register
Communications Program Leader
Michigan Sea Grant, University of Michigan
(734) 647-0767
[email protected]

IAGLR
Tomas Höök
President, International Association for Great Lakes Research
765-496-6799
[email protected]

Christine Manninen
Conference Coordinator, International Association for Great Lakes Research
(734) 560-8598
[email protected]