“I’ve always had a love for being outdoors. Several family members of mine work in the environmental field, so that helped spark my interest in biology and environmental science. A relative of mine mentioned the IISG internship program to me last summer, but I was away at school and unavailable. I was very thankful that this internship was offered again this year as I finally got the chance to get involved with Sea Grant.
I worked with the Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Team in Glencoe, IL. Specifically I worked with fishing tournament anglers and organizers, helping that group prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Anglers are a large and crucial audience when trying to reach recreational water users, as they are dependent on healthy water for fishing. However, little information was available on this audience and what they do in terms of AIS prevention. I conducted a survey with tournament organizers to better understand what their role was in AIS prevention, and I attended several fishing tournaments throughout the summer to conduct public outreach.
I’ve gained so much more experience with public outreach and education through this internship. Going to events throughout the summer has provided me with experience explaining complex environmental issues to the public. I’ve always had an interest in ecology, but this internship has really fueled an interest in aquatic ecology, especially in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes are an important natural resource for us, and my internship gave me an opportunity to help protect the Lakes in a meaningful way.
At this point, I want to continue working in the environmental field before going back to school for any graduate work. At the moment, I’ve just been hired to continue with IISG as an outreach assistant. I’m obviously extremely excited to stay on board with the AIS team and continue working with recreational water users as well as other audiences critical to preventing the spread of these species.”
About Newsroom
Recent News
- New step-by-step guide and veterinary brochures expand UnwantedMeds.org resources
- The Helm magazine focuses on coastal resilience, the Lake Michigan food web, and more
- The Know Your H₂O Kit gets a real-world lab test by middle schoolers
- IISG has a long history of supporting teachers through Great Lakes activities and resources
- Join Sea Grant to oversee program research and reporting
IISG Instagram
IISG is seeking a talented and passionate person to join our team as a research & reporting administrator. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for someone interested in managing a competitive research portfolio and leading our annual reporting process to make a real impact on the health and vitality of our Great Lakes ecosystems and communities.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing our research competitions, spearheading data collection and reporting for our ~$5 million program, and supervising a small team of dedicated staff.
Interested? Learn more at the link in bio.
Just in time for DEA National Takeback Day on October 25, Unwanted Meds now has an interactive step-by-step guide that walks users through how to properly dispose of different types of medicine. Users can also find two new educational brochures designed to help veterinarians, pet owners, and livestock farmers prevent accidental poisonings and pollution.
Learn more at the link in bio.
Join us November 5th and November 12th seminars on the latest fish biology, ecology, and fisheries science happening in Lake Michigan.
Topics will include:
• PFAS contamination in coastal tributaries
• Great Lakes Spawning Whitefish and Invasive Mussels (SWIM) project
• Hatchery update from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Learn more and register at the link in bio.
How Do You Track a Fish in a Great Lake?
Are your students curious about how scientists track fish underwater? In this Students Ask Scientists session, discover how researchers use acoustic telemetry to track fish like yellow perch in Lake Michigan.
You will meet Anna Hill, a master’s student at Purdue University, as she shares her career journey studying marine and freshwater systems.
📅 Date: November 6, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM CT
🎯 Audience: Middle school students & up + educators
💻 Location: Zoom (Pre-registration required)
Learn more and register at the link in bio.
#TeachingTuesday
#StudentsAskScientists
#LakeMichigan


