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Researchers of Lacawac Sanctuary
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Craig Williamson first came to Lacawac with the intentions of an educator. Being a protected lake, Lacawac presents unique research opportunities which Dr. Williamson utilizes to give his students “hands-on” field experience. He finds the natural, and magical, beauty of the lake, its surroundings and historic buildings to be particularly immersive for his “students in experiencing and learning about lakes firsthand.” Craig has been involved with, and brought students to, Lacawac for over 30 years. At the moment his graduate students include Rachel Pilla, Lauren Knose, Seun Olubodun, Addie Zeisler, and Michelle Little. He has also had many undergraduate students involved in his research.
Currently, Dr. Williamson is in an NSF LTREB grant with Dr. Kevin Rose and his students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The purpose of this grant is to conduct a long-term project observing “feedback mechanisms related to water transparency and deepwater oxygen depletion and how that can change lakes from blue to brown (dissolved organic matter increases) or green (algae blooms).” Another long-term project Dr. Williamson conducts at Lacawac (and at other lakes in the area) is funded by an NSF OPUS grant. The purpose of it is to take data collected over all his years conducting research in the area and synthesize it into published manuscripts. |
Craig Williamson, PhD
Ohio Eminent Scholar of Ecosystem Ecology Miami University, Department of Biology Fields of Study: Global Change Limnology; Ecology of UV Radiation in Lakes Global Change Limnology Lab >30 Years at Lacawac Sources of Funding: National Science Foundation; Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation |
As a scientist, Dr. Williamson defines himself as a global change limnologist. Because of the unique nature of lakes as “sentinels of natural and anthropogenic environmental changes,” his research “provides a deeper understanding of how increases in precipitation and extreme events, including drought, are altering water transparency, and thus the structure and function of lake ecosystems, with important consequences for ecosystem services.” This understanding is important for showing people (both his students and the public) the effects of “human actions on water quality.” This in turn allows for more knowledgeable and successful lake management. If you want to help Dr. Williamson with his research, you can become a citizen scientist for PLEON!
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Anita first learned of Lacawac Sanctuary as a child. Her family had a summer home on Lake Wallenpaupack. They would all come to Lacawac to sit in on different workshops and events led by educators and the Lacawac staff. Upon beginning her education, Anita received her bachelors degree in Zoology from Penn State University. As a graduate student in genetics at the Ohio State University, Anita studied honeybees. She taught for a year at Mercy Hurst in Erie, Pennsylvania and was hired by the USDA. Anita is since retired from her job at the USGS but continues to work as a volunteer conducting bee surveys. Her work includes understanding the genetics of colony defense in Africanized bees.
Projects Anita has led chats at Lacawac just like the ones she attended as a child. She has spoken to the public about her work with Africanized bees. She also conducts bee surveys on the property by setting traps by the dock and around the edge of the lake. |
Anita Collins, PhD
Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Penn State University
PhD in Genetics from The Ohio State University
Sources of Funding: volunteer work with USGS
Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Penn State University
PhD in Genetics from The Ohio State University
Sources of Funding: volunteer work with USGS
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Jon enjoys the facilities at Lacawac, especially the lab which fits his team’s research needs, and the proximity of the sanctuary to both his hometown and other lakes from which data can be gathered. Jon’s lab at RPI in New York collaborates a lot with the group from Miami University in Ohio. Coming down for a few days every month, they collect physical, biological, and chemical data on Lakes Lacawac, Giles, and Waynewood. Jon appreciates the lodging at Lacawac and the surrounding trails which make his stays enjoyable. When it comes to his scientific approach, Jon believes whole-heartedly in the importance of using multiple methods of inquiry to discover and solve problems.
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Jon Stetler, PhD Student
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Rose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Biological Sciences Limnology The Global Water Lab 3rd Year at Lacawac Source of Funding: National Science Foundation LTREB Grant |
Projects
Jon is currently working on a subproject of the LTREB grant exploring how lakes are changing due to climate change and acid rain recovery. It was observed that average lake temperatures have been increasing despite a lack of air temperature changes; this will intensify as climate change worsens. Simultaneously, with a downturn in coal emissions due to the Clean Air Act, lakes and surrounding soil are recovering from high acidity levels which allows for the release of more organic carbon and nutrients into lakes. Lake Giles is an oligotrophic lake (low in nutrients) and thus very clear, making its entire water column susceptible to warming. This combined with increased nutrient and organic carbon levels darkening Giles can completely alter the lake’s water column and temperature distribution. Using Lake Lacawac, which is darker and more nutrient-rich, as a control, Jon observes how these changes affect habitats for fish. An additional result of these changes in lake makeup which Jon aims to expound on is the effect on oxygen levels, which is more available in clear lakes than dark lakes and affects the fish population as well. Jon makes use of both empirical evidence from the lakes and simulated lake conditions in his research.
Jon Stetler understands the value of his work as it contributes to the greater story of research on climate change and acid recovery. He also hopes that his findings will influence regulations on fishing and water quality to make positive changes for lakes and fish populations. The best way to get involved in Jon’s research is through lake monitoring with the PLEON Citizen Science program.
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This is Addie’s first summer at Lacawac working under her professor, a long-time participant at Lacawac, Craig Williamson. Addie is currently in her first semester of her Master of Science in Biology from Miami University of Ohio. Projects Addie’s work at Lacawac this summer includes helping to conduct mid-month sampling with her crew. The crew is maintaining a 30 year UV database! Addie then plans to work on her personal research that involves larval bluegill sunfish. When they hatch they head to the middle of the lake. What is interesting about this is that most larvae would experience some kind of damage and/or death due to contact with UV rays because they lack the protection necessary to sustain such exposure. Addie's mission this summer is to determine whether the larvae are capable of detecting UV rays on their travels to the middle of the lake. |
Addie Zeisler, Graduate Student
Bachelor of Science in Biology from Miami University of Ohio
Masters student in Biology at Miami University of Ohio
Advisor: Craig Williamson
Bachelor of Science in Biology from Miami University of Ohio
Masters student in Biology at Miami University of Ohio
Advisor: Craig Williamson
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While completing his undergrad, James was introduced to his professors work on eyeball mechanics. This led him to his graduate degree in Biology and Neuroscience. James studied the use of electrodes in understanding the mechanics of turtle and rhesus macaques monkey eyeballs. James' ultimate goal was always to teach. He completed is postdoctoral at the University of Alabama. He is currently a professor at Lafayette College and has been for the last 15 years. He loves teaching at Lafayette because it's a relatively small undergraduate university that values research.
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James Dearworth, PhD
Professor at Lafayette College Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Michigan PhD in Biology and Neuroscience |
Projects
While studying how turtle eyeballs repsond to light at Lafayette, James considered looking at ecology as a whole. He researched some bioogical field stations and found Lacawac. What he loves about Lacawac is that he is able to contribute to the educational experiences of students just like his professor did for him. James participaed in nature fest to share with the public the work he has been doing. James also brings graduate students to Lacawac in the summer to conduct research alongside the staff and interns.
While studying how turtle eyeballs repsond to light at Lafayette, James considered looking at ecology as a whole. He researched some bioogical field stations and found Lacawac. What he loves about Lacawac is that he is able to contribute to the educational experiences of students just like his professor did for him. James participaed in nature fest to share with the public the work he has been doing. James also brings graduate students to Lacawac in the summer to conduct research alongside the staff and interns.
