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.

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Coastal protection is not limited to concrete, rocks, and steel. Coastal protection solutions exist on a spectrum, ranging from softer “green” solutions to harder “gray” structures.

Nature-based coastal solutions fall between green and gray techniques, providing multiple benefits to people and habitats.

Our three-part video series, Nature-Based Coastal Solutions in the Great Lakes, is now available to watch. Learn how nature-based coastal solutions, including nature-driven and hybrid approaches, can protect shorelines while supporting ecosystems and communities.

Watch the 3-part video series at the link in bio.

(Photo credit: Liz Spitzer, Illinois State Geological Survey, Coastal Research Group)

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17873389053437520
Coastal protection is not limited to concrete, rocks, and steel. Coastal protection solutions exist on a spectrum, ranging from softer “green” solutions to harder “gray” structures.Nature-based coastal solutions fall between green and gray techniques, providing multiple benefits to people and habitats.Our three-part video series, Nature-Based Coastal Solutions in the Great Lakes, is now available to watch. Learn how nature-based coastal solutions, including nature-driven and hybrid approaches, can protect shorelines while supporting ecosystems and communities.Watch the 3-part video series at the link in bio.(Photo credit: Liz Spitzer, Illinois State Geological Survey, Coastal Research Group)

Managers and researchers can be faced with a need to classify the risk of new crayfish invaders. Rapid assessment tools, such as the Science-based Tools for Assessing Invasion Risk (STAIR), can assist in this process by providing a streamlined framework for analysis and decision-making.

Join us for an ICC webinar with John Bieber from Loyola University Chicago to learn how rapid assessment tools are used to classify invasive species risk and how STAIR can support invasive crayfish management.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17849711064650127
Managers and researchers can be faced with a need to classify the risk of new crayfish invaders. Rapid assessment tools, such as the Science-based Tools for Assessing Invasion Risk (STAIR), can assist in this process by providing a streamlined framework for analysis and decision-making.Join us for an ICC webinar with John Bieber from Loyola University Chicago to learn how rapid assessment tools are used to classify invasive species risk and how STAIR can support invasive crayfish management.Learn more at the link in bio.