Meet the Mentors

Rebecca Abler, Ph.D. & Richard Hein, Ph.D.

Professors of Biology

StreamTeam: Manitowoc County Stream Sampling. Freshwater Scholars in this project will investigate water quality in southern Manitowoc County streams that flow into Lake Michigan.  Students will work on two driving research questions: what impact do large-scale stream restoration projects have on water quality, and  what impact do land use and environmental contributions have on stream water quality?  Freshwater Scholars will learn to collect measurements of pH, temperature, flow, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen in the field, and bring samples to the lab for ammonia, phosphorus and E. coli  analyses.  They will work on a team with undergraduate research students, and will spend about half their time performing field sampling and the other half in the lab analyzing samples.  After learning protocols and experiencing the streams, students will also develop a research question they will work to answer during the summer. This project is based at the UWGB-Manitowoc Campus. 

Patrick Forsythe, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

A detailed understanding of fish behavior, community dynamics and trends in population abundance is essential for the design and implementation of management and conservation practices. The student research assistant will join a team of UW-Green Bay undergraduate/graduate students to explore downstream dispersal of juvenile lake sturgeon on the Menominee River, sample fish communities of Dutchman/Ashwaubenon Creeks, track the movement of northern pike in Lower Green Bay and monitor the population of invasive round goby in the Fox River. Research assistants will have the opportunity to explore fish husbandry within our dedicated stream side research facility, become proficient in the deployment of methods used to sample fish populations including backpack electrofishing and understand the basics of how to track animals via advanced acoustic telemetry techniques. Students will be given the opportunity to collect data, conduct a simple analysis and present this information to the group at the end of the experience. This project is based on the UWGB campus.

Mike Holly, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering

Season depletion of dissolved oxygen in Green Bay, as a result of excessive algal production, has a detrimental effect on fish. Agricultural runoff results in excessive nutrients in the Great Lakes is a significant driver of algal blooms. Constructed wetlands and reactive media have the potential to remove phosphorus from agricultural runoff, improving water quality. As student research assistant, your responsibilities will include: measuring nutrients in water quality from constructed wetlands and reactive media. Specific tasks include sampling flow through columns, assisting in water quality measurements using state of the art technology, and facilitating the fabrication of reactive media, and organization and analysis of data. Students will be incorporated into a team of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc researchers studying environmental engineering technology, chemistry, and environmental science. At the completion of the summer you will present the results for a media you worked on to staff and students. This project is based on the UWGB campus.

Erin Giese

Oneida Bird Monitoring Program

UW-Green Bay’s Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, NEW Bird Alliance, and Audubon Great Lakes works collaboratively with the Oneida Nation to coordinate the Oneida Bird Monitoring Program (OBMP), which is a volunteer bird monitoring program at restoration sites on the Oneida Nation Reservation. With the help of 100+ dedicated volunteers, we have conducted breeding grassland, marsh, and forest bird surveys and migratory shorebird and waterfowl surveys at five restoration sites, documenting >200 bird species. We would love to engage a high school student who is also an enrolled Oneida citizen (or another Tribe) into our project. The high school intern would help with a variety of OBMP activities, such as assisting with bird, anuran, or plant monitoring in wetlands, prairies, and forests, assist with project outreach (e.g., community day, bird walks), and help with camp activities for Oneida children. The high school intern would learn about restoration of wetland and prairie habitats, wildlife surveys, environmental education, and Oneida culture, history, and language. This project is based on the UWGB campus.

Titus Seilheimer, Ph.D.

Fish Specialist with Wisconsin Sea Grant, Partnering Organization in the Manitowoc area

Join Wisconsin Sea Grant’s Fisheries Specialist Titus Seilheimer for a summer of field experiences in streams and wetlands. Based out of Manitowoc, the project team will conduct stream monitoring in Two Rivers and Port Washington in order to assess conditions before restoration projects. There will also be opportunities to work on western Green Bay coastal wetlands to collect fish and monitor wild rice. Work will be mainly in and on the water, with some lab and remote work. This project is based at the UWGB-Manitowoc Campus. 

Erin Berns-Herrboldt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Water Science

1. Evaluating arsenic release from groundwater aquifer sediments: The intern will support a graduate student conducting experiments of metals leaching from aquifer sediments. The work includes lab scale batch experiments and some field work for groundwater sampling, well sediment collection, and water level data analysis.
2. Determining phosphorus cycling in streambank sediments: The intern will conduct preliminary experiments evaluating the role of oxygen in phosphorus sorption experiments. The work includes both lab scale batch experiments and field work on the Wisconsin River collecting streambank porewater samples and sediments in collaboration with other researchers.

This project is based on the UWGB campus.

Paul List, Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust

Partnering site in the Appleton Area

The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust (NEWLT) has been working for 28 years to preserve the health of the Green Bay watershed by protecting properties throughout the region. In recent years, we have begun to further grow our conservation work by developing and expanding ways to connect with our community in environmental education and action to promote ecosystem health. The high school scholar with NEWLT will work with us to plan, implement, and evaluate conservation engagement programming throughout the summer, including activities with community groups as well as public events. Much of this programming will involve participatory science, engaging the community in collecting biodiversity data on our public preserves to inform our management efforts and contribute to conservation research. As a capstone project, the high school scholar will take the lead in planning and hosting a public event in August. This project is based in Appleton.

Jessica Johnsrud, Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve

Partnering site in the Two Rivers Area

Interns at Woodland Dunes will have a variety of opportunities for participation in programming aimed at environmental science education and stewardship.  The Freshwater Scholar will work with a team of Woodland Dunes staff and undergraduate interns to assist in teaching nature-themed day camps for children, planning and preparing environmental education programming for children, adults, and families, participating in citizen monitoring (e.g., water testing, bat surveys, bird surveys), assisting with land management, nd helping with overall operations of the nature center and preserve. The Freshwater Scholar will have the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of staff and volunteers, and will primarily work with Jessica Johnsrud.  Jess has been with Woodland Dunes since 2009, first as a volunteer and then as a staff member. She is a graduate of UW-Stevens Point with a BS in Biology. She is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of educational programs and assists the director. Her favorite bird song is the black-throated green warbler and she enjoys birding, reading and cooking. This project is based in Two Rivers.