IISG’s new year starts with a new research and reporting coordinator

Posted January 23rd, 2026 in Featured, Funded Research, News
Laura Esman standing in a wooded environment.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) welcomes a new member to the team—Laura Esman is now the program’s research and reporting coordinator. Located at Purdue University, Esman will oversee research competitions and manage IISG’s research portfolio.

She will also spearhead IISG data collection and lead the program’s annual reporting process.

Esman brings over 30 years of experience in research, project coordination and grant administration. Her most recent positions include managing director of the Indiana Water Resources Research Center, and lab manager and research associate in the Natural Resources Social Science Lab in Purdue’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

In these roles, she developed and oversaw budgets as well as managed dozens of research projects, often comprised of interdisciplinary teams at multiple universities. In addition, Esman communicated with key stakeholders to develop partnerships and inform target audiences.

Her research and outreach background at the federal, state, and local level cover a range of relevant topic areas and issues in the two states as well as the Great Lakes region, including water pollutants, aquatic invasive species, green infrastructure, and harmful algal blooms.

“Laura’s breadth and depth of experience make her a perfect fit for IISG, said Stuart Carlton, IISG director. “She is skilled at working with scientists to help identify and disseminate high-quality, highly relevant applied research.”

Esman has a master’s degree in environmental toxicology from Clemson University, and she earned her bachelor’s from Albion College.

IISG Instagram

Ripple Effects is a collection of 8 activities for grades 6–12 that introduces students to aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Through research, reporting, and role-playing games, students will:

✅ Explore how non-native species arrived
✅ Understand why they threaten native ecosystems
✅ Investigate their impact on the Great Lakes

Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Great Lakes Literacy Principles, this curriculum is perfect for engaging students in real-world science and stewardship.

🔗 visit the link in bio to learn more

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17951809740076508
Ripple Effects is a collection of 8 activities for grades 6–12 that introduces students to aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.Through research, reporting, and role-playing games, students will:✅ Explore how non-native species arrived✅ Understand why they threaten native ecosystems✅ Investigate their impact on the Great LakesAligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Great Lakes Literacy Principles, this curriculum is perfect for engaging students in real-world science and stewardship.🔗 visit the link in bio to learn more

Graduate students: don’t miss your chance to advance your research and expand your professional network! The 2026 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Graduate Scholars Program is now open for applications. Whether your work focuses on coastal resiliency, Great Lakes science, water resources, or community engagement, this opportunity offers funding and professional development to support your graduate research. Learn more and apply today — opportunities like this don’t come every year!

👉 Read the full details at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17914034181268469
Graduate students: don’t miss your chance to advance your research and expand your professional network! The 2026 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Graduate Scholars Program is now open for applications. Whether your work focuses on coastal resiliency, Great Lakes science, water resources, or community engagement, this opportunity offers funding and professional development to support your graduate research. Learn more and apply today — opportunities like this don’t come every year!👉 Read the full details at the link in bio.