Student and Alumni Stories

Freshwater science students and an alumnus share how the hands-on coursework prepares undergraduates for the workforce.

UW-Milwaukee alumnus Austin Harris has wanted to be a meteorologist since age 8. Originally from Oklahoma City, his doctoral and postdoctoral work with UWM’s Atmospheric Science Distinguished Professor Paul Roebber helped him land a prestigious ASP Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. What interested you in studying atmospheric science? Though … Read more

The R/V Neeksay is the only year-round research vessel on the Great Lakes, and it’s been a busy season far with 60 expeditions so far. The first expedition took place January 18, with the Cuhel/Aguilar labs collecting samples for their ongoing project that monitors the rivers, harbor and near Milwaukee offshore. They also led a … Read more

As states and municipalities develop long-term, cost-effective and fuel-efficient energy plans, many are evaluating renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower. Wind has become the most prominent, generating more than 10 percent of energy in the U.S. Offshore wind projects on the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico are expanding, … Read more

José Basaldua, a 2018 graduate of the professional master's program, shares how the School of Freshwater Sciences connected him to others in the community who are working on water issues. He is now an environmental educator with Reflo, where he works on green infrastructure projects at Milwaukee Public Schools.

What’s it like to work in water? Lisa Sasso, one of our first alums, talks about jobs in freshwater and how the School of Freshwater Sciences prepared her for her career at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Pierce VanValkenburg grew up on the St. Croix River, which flows along the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota and down into the Mississippi. Springs and summers were full of boating with family, swimming and watching sunfish the way other kids watched TV. Now a UW-Milwaukee Freshwater Sciences graduate student, VanValkenburg teaches children about freshwater systems … Read more

Tyler Kunze '23 spent the past two years diving in Lake Michigan and analyzing samples in Professor Harvey Bootsma's lab to look at how invasive mussels are affecting the lake and other organisms. His research earned him a Master of Freshwater Science and Technology this spring.

Yellow perch may be able to grow more with less food. That's what Will Sullivan '23 discovered during his graduate-level research in our fish labs.

WISN12 Meteorologist Molly Bernard joined the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences crew in launching the buoy at Atwater Beach, north of Milwaukee. Her story captured a play-by-play of the day on the R/V Neeskay and shared why the data our buoys transmits is so important to researchers, anglers and boaters. Check out the data at … Read more

What’s the most challenging part about a two-week study abroad trip that covers nearly 2,000 miles throughout Mexico? According to Kacper Zaprzalka, it’s figuring out how to try as many different foods as possible — like chapulines (grasshoppers) or mole sauce. Zaprzalka, who will graduate from UW-Milwaukee in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in … Read more

The School of Freshwater Sciences launches and maintains a number of buoys in Lake Michigan, which provide information for research and recreation from late spring through fall. What happens to the buoys during the winter? According to Jessie Grow, freshwater sciences research specialist and marine technician and UW-Milwaukee alumna, winter duties depend on what catastrophic … Read more