UM Enhances Great Lakes Research

It was standing-room only for more than 70 faculty members who attended a campus breakfast meeting May 13, 2002 to learn more about Great Lakes research opportunities at the University of Michigan (UM). Michigan Sea Grant organized the meeting in cooperation with the UM School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE) and the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR).

"The Great Lakes are a vital part of Michigan's natural resources," said Dr. Fawwaz Ulaby, UM Vice President for Research, who gave opening remarks. "In the coming years, we'll need to work together to harness the incredible wealth of knowledge at the University of Michigan to address Great Lakes issues and challenges." Dr. Ulaby also serves as co-chair of Michigan Sea Grant's Policy Committee.

Ulaby then introduced UM Provost Paul Courant, who acknowledged the large turnout and exhorted the group to articulate a bold program of education and research on Great Lakes topics.

Rosina Bierbaum, Dean of UM's School of Natural Resources and the Environment, announced a Great Lakes Symposium to be held at the University in November 2002. Bierbaum commissioned 10 review papers to be written on Great Lakes topics to provide the framework for the symposium. Following the meeting, a task group identified 10 critical Great Lakes issues in which Michigan faculty have expertise.

Additionally, Vice President Ulaby announced a funding opportunity for UM faculty and research scientists. OVPR will fund three major multidisciplinary projects that focus on Great Lakes' issues. The funds will be managed by Michigan Sea Grant.

Partners from the Great Lakes scientific and policy community in Ann Arbor also gave presentations at the UM meeting and participated in a panel discussion. Organizations included the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and United States Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center.

For more information, contact Jennifer Read at (734) 936-3622 or email jenread@umich.edu.