Research

Our faculty are internationally known for their work in areas such as freshwater contaminants, biological pollutants, fisheries, invasive species, aquaculture, observation technology, climate variability, weather prediction, and water policy.

Our research teams include scientists, economists and legal experts who are advancing fundamental and strategic science and training the next generation of freshwater, climate, and weather professionals. Their work informs policy, improves management, and promotes the health and sustainability of the Earth and its ecosystems worldwide.

Investment in our research includes funding from the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy, state of Wisconsin and local government, as well as corporate partners, foundations and private donors.

Our researchers and students collaborate with on-site partners, and our building houses offices for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Sea Grant, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Southeast Wisconsin Watershed Trust, Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and Milwaukee’s Harbor District.

PFAS
9On-site governmental and nonprofit collaborators
Fish and Microplastics

Research Impact

  • Freshwater researchers finding promising ways to fight back against invasive mussels
    Scientists are removing the Great Lakes' worst invasive species. How? The first-of-its-kind project is happening in Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Muskegon, Michigan. Associate dean and professor Harvey Bootsma and his lab research team's work to remove invasive mussels in Lake Michigan is featured in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel …
  • Bootsma warns of impacted cuts to vital research programs in 2026 federal budget
    Associate Dean and Professor Harvey Bootsma spoke to Spectrum News 1 about programs at risk with the proposed 2026 federal budget, which includes the Great Lakes Observing System. GLOS is funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which would have a 25% reduction — nearly $1.5 billion. Read Article and Watch Interview
  • School of Freshwater Sciences works with district office to determine the impact of microplastics
    Kevin Shafer of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District envisions a greener, climate-ready Milwaukee. Including help from the School of Freshwater Sciences, MMSD is tackling PFAS and microplastics flowing into Lake Michigan. “Water is the gold of this century—we just need to treat it right.” Read Full Article

We’re committed to advancing key research priorities

Explore freshwater systems and develop methods for their preservation and management. Study the impacts of climate change, human activity, and invasive species on the Great Lakes and Earth’s ecosystems worldwide. Improve water safety through cutting-edge research. Track the presence and sources of pathogens and determine the impacts of contaminants on human and ecosystem health. Form collaborations among scientists, engineers, and industry.

Predict weather and climate and their impacts to society. Manage, replace and restore the Great Lakes’ commercial and recreational fisheries. Drive new technologies in water research and management and fisheries management and urban aquaculture. Advance understanding of atmospheric processes on local to global scales. Link science to action and generate transformational policies from great science.