The objectives of this study are to:

• Study the sources and contamination levels of enteric bacteria and viruses in Burns Ditch, one of the most polluted streams that flow into Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana.
• Determine the impact of the pollution of Burns Ditch on the microbial quality of lake front water off West Beach, located three kilometers west of the water outfall.
• Use a molecular approach to detect viruses in stream and lake waters.
• Use a computer-based image analysis system to determine the quantity of viruses in water samples.

The objective of this research is to quantify differences molecular level genetic damage to bullhead catfish in the heavily contaminated Lake George reservoir versus levels of damage in bullhead catfish from the virtually uncontaminated Jasper Pulaski reservoir using the alkaline DNA unwinding method.

The goal of this research is to purify and identify cell growth-promoting activity found in fish embryo extract.

• Evaluate the polyculture of yellow perch in cages with freshwater prawns in ponds.
• Evaluate the effect of culture temperature on growth and survival of yellow perch.

Our overall goal is to provide quantitative  descriptions of species characteristics that increase the probability of successful invasion.

• Identify the factors responsible for variable mortality and growth of Dreissena larvae in the Illinois River and Hudson River Estuary.
• Model the interaction of flow with growth and mortality to predict the spatial and temporal patterns of settlement across systems.
• Determine how larval dynamics contribute to spatial and temporal patterns of settlement in the field.