Aquatic Research Laboratory - Lake Superior State University

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Aquatic Research Laboratory
“Creating Partnerships in Water Resources”
650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 | 906-635-1949 | www.lssu.edu/arl
Mission Statement: “The LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory
will combine education and research on aquatic biota and their
associated habitats within the Great Lake Basin to serve the
academic, scientific, and public communities.”
ARL Staff:
Ashley Moerke, Ph.D.: Co-Director
Geoff Steinhart, Ph.D.: Co-Director
Jun Li, Ph.D.: Fish Disease Lab Manager
Roger Greil: Fish Hatchery Manager
New Faculty Bring Additional Expertise to LSSU and the ARL
LSSU welcomed several new Assistant
Professors that are collaborating with the ARL.
Dr. Jun Li is an expert in fish immunology and
is the Manager of the Fish Disease Laboratory
and will lead the recently added Fish Health
Degree Program. Dr. Kristin Arend, Dr.
Pariwate (Perry) Varnakovida, and Dr. Derek
Wright bring additional expertise in aquatic
ecology, Geographic Information Science, and
biogeochemistry.
With Jun’s arrival, the Fish Disease Lab is
open for business. “DNRE Fisheries Division
is very excited about working with Dr. Li, who
brings new tools and education (particularly
Dr. Li joins as Manager of the Fish Disease
Laboratory and an Assistant Professor of Fish
Health. (Photo/G. Steinhart)
Aquatic Research Laboratory | Volume 5 Issue 1
fish immunology experience), international
experience and contacts, and a very diverse
fish health background to our state.” said
Gary Whelan, DNRE Fisheries Division, Fish
Production Manager. “We expect Dr. Li to be
an outstanding Lake Superior State University
complement to our existing strong fish health
team at DNRE and Michigan State University
and anticipate the production of many well
rounded fisheries and fish health graduates that
will benefit from his guidance and teaching and
will likely be some of our future employees.”
The Fish Disease Lab is capable of fish health
diagnostics for bacterial and viral diseases
and fish parasites. It also serves as a training
ground for Fish Health and Pre-Veterinary
students. With four students enrolled in the
Fish Health Program in just its first year, Jun is
busy directing senior theses and internships in
the Fish Disease Lab. Jun also is teaching a new
course at LSSU: Ecology of Animal Disease.
Jun received his BS from Wichan University,
his MS from the Institute of Hydrobiology,
Chinese Academy of Science, and his PhD
from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
He has more than 15 years of experience in
fish health, spanning from China to Europe
and to the United States. His research interests
include: pathogenicity of bacteria and viruses,
fish disease diagnosis, immune responses
of fish against biotic (infection) and abiotic
(environmental stressors) factors, host-pathogen
interactions, and fish vaccines.
Continued on page 3
Page 1
ARL Highlights - For more information visit: www.lssu.edu.arl
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
Upon arriving at Lake Superior State
University, I knew exactly what I wanted to
be “when I grew up:” a fisheries biologist for
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). To
achieve this, I needed an education that would
help me stand out in this competitive field. The
summer prior to attending LSSU, I worked as a
student biologist for Jordan River National Fish
Hatchery in the Student Temporary Education
Program (STEP). This program allowed me to
attend LSSU and return to work for the USFWS
in the summer, using what I learned in school to
help strengthen my fish culturist skills. These
experiences moved me into the Student Career
Experience Program (SCEP), which allowed me
to work during the school year at the Pendill’s
Creek/Sullivan’s Creek National Fish Hatchery
Complex, just a short drive from LSSU. I also
had opportunities to work at other USFWS
offices around the Great Lakes Region. Best of
all, I was guaranteed a job when I graduated!
At first, I had no intentions of going to
graduate school. But after five years at LSSU,
By Chris Olds (‘09)
and lots of encouragement from family, friends,
and advisors, I reconsidered. After graduation,
I entered the graduate program at the University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse to study fish health of
Great Lakes whitefish and chubs. And through
the SCEP program, I get to work at the USFWS
La Crosse Fish Health Center. This is exactly
what I wanted.
It would not have been possible to get where
I am today without three things: hands on field
experience I received in all of my biology classes,
the experience of working with the USFWS as
a SCEP student, and great academic advisors
who encouraged me not to limit myself to just a
Bachelor’s Degree. They had the knowledge and
expertise to guide me through my career.
Being a full-time student at LSSU and
working for the Fish and Wildlife Service was
the ultimate learning experience because I was
able to take what I learned in class and apply it
to my job as a fish culturist. I am proud of the
education that I received at Lake Superior State
University, and am proud to tell people about it.
Completed Senior Thesis Projects, 2009-10:
*Asterisks indicate students that presented their theses at scientific meetings
Ryan Booth. Changes in sea lamprey swimming performance when exposed to repellants.
*Andrew Briggs. Stunting of northern pike in northern Michigan lakes: When and why?
*Tyler Buchinger. Localization of the retentive and spawning behavior inducing components of the
male sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) mating pheromone.
Ricky DiRocco. Genetic variation of round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) in the Adirondack
Mountains of New York state.
John Jacques. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) removal from Soldier Lake: Effects on growth rates
and population structure.
Greg McClure. Bioenergetic analysis of walleye (Sander vitreus) consumption of yellow perch
(Perca flavescens) in Waiska Bay, Michigan.
Luke McManus. Ecological responses of a headwater stream to the presence of pastured cattle.
Dave Montgomery. Siscowet lake trout condition and abundance in northern Lake Superior.
Aaron Ohrn. Diet analysis of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the St. Marys River.
Josh Peacock. Baseline population assessment of lake sturgeon in Tetu Lake, Ontario.
Nick Steimel. Evaluating fish use of the St. Marys River Rapid using a rotary screw trap.
*Ben Turschak. Changes in the zooplankton community of the St. Marys River.
Nate Ward. Evaluation of large wood additions on fish communities in low-gradient Upper
Peninsula streams.
Joel Wils. Effect of artificial stream bank structures on salmonid populations.
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To view the ARL FishCam visit: www.lssu.edu.arl/fishcam.php
News and Notes:
• Tyler Buchinger (’10) won the Best Student Poster Award at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the
Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for his work on sea lamprey pheromones.
• Dr. Ashley Moerke, Dr. Dana Infante (MSU), Dr. Travis Brendan (MSU), and Dr. Casey Huckins
(MTU) were awarded funding from the MDNRE to assess the effects of temperature on stream
fish communities. Three LSSU students will have the opportunity to participate in field work in
Upper and Lower Peninsula streams beginning this summer.
• Dr. Judy Westrick, Dr. Nancy Kirkpatrick, Dr. Geoff Steinhart, and Dr. Derek Wright received
funding from the National Science Foundation to purchase a quantitative polymerase chain
reaction analyzer (qPCR). The device will be used for a variety of projects including studies of
algal toxins and fish population genetics.
• Dr. Ashley Moerke, Andy Selle (Interfluve, Inc.), and Mark Mylchreest (MDNRE) received funding from WE Mitigation and Enhancement Fund to study the effects of historical logging on sediment deposition in the Iron River this summer.
• Dr. Ashley Moerke, Dan Traynor (’06), Roger Greil, and Mike Burr (USGS) received funding
from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission for publishing a guide to fish identification using
cleithra. The cleithrum is a bone that is uniquely shaped in each fish and can be used to identify digested remains of fishes in the stomachs of birds, fishes, or other predators.
• LSSU and the ARL entered a partnership with the Black Lake Association and Hammond Bay
Area Anglers Association to conduct research on Black Lake, Michigan. The associations will
help fund senior thesis projects directed at walleye recruitment and population dynamics.
• Dr. Geoff Steinhart received the 2009 Editor Award from the International Association of Great
Lakes Research for his service as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Great Lakes Research.
• ARL staff made presentations to various civic and sporting groups including: two Rotary Clubs,
Black Lake Association, Drummond Island Sportsmen, Hammond Bay Area Anglers Association, Hiawatha Sportsmen Club, Michigan Fly Fishing Club, Michigan Sea Grant Regional Fishery Workshop, and the Lake Huron Fishery Advisory Committee.
New Faculty Bring Additional Expertise to LSSU
Continued from page 1
Dr. Kristi Arend is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. She received a BA
from Oberlin College, a MS from Ohio State University, and a PhD from Cornell University. Kristi is
an aquatic ecologist with experience on multiple Great Lakes and the Hudson River. She is interested
in how environmental conditions and land use influence aquatic food webs and fish communities.
Perry is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology,
and Physics. He received a BS from Chiang Mai University, a MS from Mahidol University, and is
defending his PhD at Michigan State University. His research interests include GIS, remote sensing,
computer simulation, artificial intelligence, urban and environmental models, environmental studies,
sustainable development, and landuse/landcover changes.
Derek is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, and
Physics. He received a BS from Lake Superior State University and a PhD from Rutgers University.
Derek’s research interests include biogeochemical cycling and bioaccumulation of mercury and other
trace metals in aquatic systems, and distribution and cycling of natural metal binding ligands.
Page 3
LSSU Fish and Wildlife Club Lands More Awards
Lake Superior State University’s Fisheries and
Wildlife Club continued its streak of excellence
by winning two more awards recently from
the American Fisheries Society. The club was
nationally recognized when awarded the AFS
2009 Outstanding Student Subunit and, for the
third year running, was the recipient of the AFS
North-Central Division Most Active Student
Subunit Award. These awards are given to
student subunits that are very active in fisheries
research, education, outreach, and professional
development.
“For LSSU to be selected three years in a
row for the North Central Division award is
impressive in its own right,” said Jessica Mistak,
past-president of the Michigan Chapter and
the North Central Division. “For this small
school’s subunit to be recognized at the Parent
Society level for their achievements is just
phenomenal. However, when you consider
that LSSU’s subunit is comprised solely of
undergraduates and has out-competed other
subunits which include both undergraduate and
graduate students, the recognition is much more
impressive and deserving.”
The club received the awards for their
extensive activities over the past couple of
years, according to LSSU biology professors
and club-advisors Dr. Jason Garvon, Dr. Ashley
Moerke, and Dr. Geoff Steinhart. For example,
the members have assisted in multiple kids’
fishing tournaments, led educational programs
for school groups, organized and hosted the
annual Michigan AFS meeting and a mussel
identification workshop, hosted a community
whitefish dinner, volunteered in various
management and restoration projects, and
raised funds to support student participation at
professional meetings and the Red Cross.
The club, with assistance from the LSSU
Foundation, sent former presidents Brandon
Gerig (’09), currently a graduate student at the
University of Florida, and Brianne Lunn (’09),
currently a graduate student at the University
of Alberta, along with current vice president
Doug Galvas (’11), to the national AFS meeting
in Nashville. They received the Outstanding
Student Subunit Award in front of well over
1,000 fisheries professionals.
Page 4
“Being able to attend such a large conference
was daunting at first, but a very valuable
experience,” said Galvas. “I was able to talk with
many scientists, students, and educators. I even
met a scientist from Canada who is now giving
me advice for my senior thesis project.”
In addition, 11 LSSU students participated
in the 70th annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife
Conference, held Dec. 6-9 in Springfield, Ill.
Two students presented their senior thesis
posters: “Comparison of Waterfowl Nesting in
Natural and Artificial Habitat,” by Ken Schwab
(‘10), and “Spatial and Seasonal Changes in
the Zooplankton Community of the St. Mary’s
River,” by Ben Turschak (‘10).
Graduating senior Schwab said, “The
conference was an important opportunity for
students to learn what is needed to accelerate
our chances of employment in the field. As LSSU
students, we are fortunate to get the chance to
do this.” Schwab took home a bonus from the
conference – a 16-ft jon boat, motor, and trailer
that he won in a raffle.
The Outstanding Student Subunit Award
is a national award and was shared with the
University of Idaho Subunit. The North-Central
Division includes 16 states and provinces and
this year’s Most Active Student Subunit award
was shared with Iowa State University.
NCD President Mark Porath presents the
Most Active Student Sub-Unit Award to LSSU
students. (Photo/AFS Staff)
Fishy Edventure
By Geoff Steinhart
Seven high school students enjoyed a week-long fish science summer camp led by ARL CoDirector Geoff Steinhart and LSSU Biology Education student John Leech (‘10). The students
sampled several streams and lakes in the Eastern UP while learning different fish sampling
techniques and practicing fish identification. The students hailed from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan,
the Lower Peninsula, and as far away as Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“Learning about aquatic organisms can be tricky since we can’t see, measure, or count them
as easily as trees,” said Geoff, “so I designed this camp to be a fish detective experience.” The
students learned how to deduce the number of fish in a lake using mark-recapture methods. They
even practiced “fish forensics” by identifying partially digested fish remains based on bone shape.
Campers also learned to determine a fish’s age by counting rings on fish ear bones.
The camp was such a success that there are two aquatic summer camps planned for summer 2010.
Geoff will lead another fish camp, this time adding activities like lure making and culminating with
a guided fishing trip on the St. Marys River. Dr. Kristi Arend will lead an Aquatic Ecology Camp
where students will explore everything from water quality, to insects, to fish. Dr. Greg Zimmerman
will host an Ecology Camp that will explore environmental questions in forests, wetlands, and rivers.
For more information on Superior Edventures and the many summer courses and camps offered
at LSSU see: www.lssu.edu/edventures
Happy students get in touch with their inner fish
at Monocle Lake, Mich. (Photo/J.Leech)
Summer campers gained experience electrofishing in Pendills Creek, Mich. (Photo/G. Steinhart)
Recent Publications:
Aumen, N.G., M.E. Gurtz, M.T. Barbour, and A.H. Moerke. 2010. BRIDGES: Evolution of the basic and applied science
linkage. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 10:359-371.
Crespo-Medina, M., A. D. Chatziefthimiou, N. S. Bloom, G. W. Luther, III, D. D. Wright J. R. Reinfelder, C. Vetriani
and Tamar Barkay. Adaptation of chemosynthetic microorganisms to elevated mercury concentrations in deep-sea
hydrothermal vents. 2009. Limnology and Oceanography 54(1): 41-49.
Harrison, J., J.H. Cohen, E. Hinchey, A. Moerke, and P. vonDassow. 2009. Getting the word out and making a
difference: Maximizing outreach efforts from the perspective of early-career scientists. Eos (AGU) 90:333-334.
Sunyer J.O., Zhang Y.A., Li J., Parra D. and LaPatra S.E. 2009. Is IgT the evolutionary equivalent of IgA? Insights into
its structure and function. Journal of Immunology 182: 81-21.
Zhang Y. A., Hikima J., Li J. LaPatra S.E. Luo Y.P. and Sunyer J.O. 2009. Conservation of structural and functional
features in a primordial CD80/86 molecule from rainbow trout. Journal of Immunology 183:83-97.
Page 5
Trap Samples St. Marys River Rapids Fishes
Looking more like a spaceship than a fishcatching device, a rotary screw trap is excellent
for catching fishes in flowing water. ARL
personnel set one of these traps in the St. Marys
River rapids to see what other fishes call the
rapids home. Besides looking and overall fish
use of the rapids, the trap was used to determine
if Atlantic salmon were successfully spawning in
the rapids.
Currently, less than 10% of the St. Marys River
flow passes through the historical rapids site.
All the water entering the rapids is controlled,
in part, by the compensation gates immediately
upstream from the rapids. Understanding
what species use the rapids, and when they are
found in the river, is important information for
controlling water releases through the St. Marys
River rapids. From May through October, LSSU
students found more than two-dozen different
species, ranging from adult salmon to baby
whitefish to various minnows, darters and even
sea lamprey. LSSU student Nick Steimel (’10)
is currently analyzing the catches for his senior
thesis project.
The rotary screw trap is on loan from the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
and Environment. In addition, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service assisted with checking the
trap, as did many LSSU students. “It wasn’t
always easy,” recounts Robert Morgan (’11), “but
checking the rotary screw trap in the St. Marys
River rapids was always exciting.”
By Robert Morgan (‘11)
Roger Greil and Andrew Hageman (‘11)
checking for fish in the rotary screw trap set in
the St. Marys River Rapids. (Photo/L. Shibley)
Checking the screw trap involved a boat trip
to the rapids; dodging 1,000’ freighters, fishing
boats and, upon entering the rapids, stray
boulders. Once in position, a person would
jump to the trap and secure the boat. The wait
was finally over when the live well would be
opened to reveal the day’s catch. The trap had
the uncanny ability of catching anything that
floated by, including, logs, pop bottles, and tires.
In fact, while salmon were spawning in the river,
the live well would catch the decaying carcasses:
a delightful smell.
Dr. Ashley Moerke, ARL Co-Director, along
with the President and Vice Presidents of the
University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone, Japan.
(Photo/University of Shiga Prefecture Staff)
Ashley was invited to meet with researchers
and discuss collaborations between LSSU and
the University of Shiga Prefecture and its Aqua
Restoration Research Center. In addition,
she gave presentaions about current LSSU
and ARL activities. For several summers,
LSSU has hosted several students from the
University of Shiga Prefecture.
Page 6
ARL Reaches Out to Kids Fighting Cancer
Last July, ARL employee and LSSU student
Dan Operhall (’11) was able to spread some fish
knowledge and help make a difference in the
lives of members of Kids Fighting Cancer. Dan
taught the kids (age 4-18) and their families some
unique facts about the St. Marys River, its diverse
fishes, as well as some techniques to sample
them. “It was a really great feeling to be able to
share my love and passion with the kids and to
enjoy a wonderful lunch with them,” said Dan.
After the presentation Dan taught a few of the
kids how to cast a fly rod.
Members of Kids Fighting Cancer were on
their summertime Make a Wish wilderness
retreat on E. Neebish Island. The group was
started by Greg Johnson as a way to help children
and their families cope with the hardships when
a child is diagnosed with a life threatening
illness. “The quality family time shared creates
everlasting memories,” said Greg, “together
promoting family bonding and quality family
time; something that is greatly missed and
needed.” While the group was on the retreat,
they visited the ARL for a tour. Overall it was
a great experience for the ARL and the kids.
“Everyone enjoyed it and learned a lot, even the
parents,” said Greg. The time spent during the
retreat and at the ARL “helped benefit cancer
stricken children throughout their treatment and
recovery,“ Greg continued.
The ARL is committed to public education and
outreach and actively involves LSSU students
Thank you!
The following organizations recently made
donations in support of the ARL.
• Detroit Area Steelheaders
• Drummond Island Sportsmen
• Edison Sault Electric
• Metro West Steelheaders
• Michigan Fly Fishing Club
• Soo Motors
And thank you to the many individual donors
who have contributed the to ARL!
By Dan Operhall (‘11)
Kids Fighting Cancer members at their East
Neebish Island retreat. (Photo/G. Johnson)
in many outreach activities. Not only does this
benefit residents of the state of Michigan, but it
also is rewarding for the LSSU students. Dan
really enjoyed the opportunity to work with Kids
Fighting Cancer, saying “The amount of interest
and enthusiasm from the kids and their families
made it that much better.”
Alumni Update:
Wendy Sak (‘98)
Wendy graduated from LSSU in the
Fisheries and Wildlife Program. As one of the
Club founders, she said “I am so happy that it
has had such a strong impact within the area,”
when she heard the news about the Fish and
Wildlife Club awards. She added “Without the
support of the professors and administration,
we would have never started or grown the
Fish and Wildlife Club.”
Wendy is active in her community, working
closely with the Grand Traverse Area Sport
Fishing Association (www.gtasfa.com),
including organizing two fishing tournaments.
Alumni:
Send us your updates for future newsletters!
Please send them to [email protected].
Page 7
Aquatic Research Laboratory
650 W. Easterday Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 USA
LSSU’s Aquatic Research Laboratory
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Aquatic Research Laboratory - Lake Superior State University

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