Category: Research Profile

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects were highlighted in 2026. Students working in Dr. Tisha King-Heiden’s lab shared their experiences.

Are Forever Chemicals Forever Altering Embryonic Development?
Students: JoAnn Breier, Biology-Biomedical Science major; Carissa Maske, Microbiology major
University: UW-La Crosse
Mentor: Tisha King-Heiden

Summarize the research and your role.

Breier: The lab I’m in focuses on environmental toxicology, and we have been investigating multiple PFAS and their effects on embryonic development in zebrafish. My project specifically focuses on cardiovascular development and level of function. I began this project being mentored by another researcher and this year began working as a lead on the project with a mentee of my own.

Maske: My research focused on how craniofacial development in larval zebrafish impacts their ability to capture prey when switching over to an external feeding source rather than their egg sac. My role in the project was running the prey capture assay and digesting/staining the fish to take ventral imaging under the microscope. This was done to analyze the measurements of their jaw, which impact their ability to suction feed, a crucial ability for zebrafish.

What skills did you learn?

Breier: I have gained a variety of skills through conducting research such as experiment design, proper animal care protocol for working with zebrafish, as well as training in computer software used for statistical analysis. Additionally, skills such as time management, collaboration and critical thinking/problem solving are all skills I have developed through conducting undergraduate research.

Maske: I learned how to develop my own research methods to effectively test my hypothesis and how to work with microscopic imaging for data analysis of my fish.

What was your favorite part and most challenging part of this project?

Breier: My favorite part of this experience was the opportunity to learn in depth about the effects of PFAS on development and relate this to human health findings. Research has given me the ability to specialize in one topic, which is often not possible in a regular class. The most challenging part of this experience would have to be that not all parts of research go according to plan. Experiments can go wrong and need to be restarted, technological challenges can arise, and problem-solving skills are essential to produce a final result.

Maske: My favorite part was the preparation of the fish before taking ventrals of my fish. It was nice to come in throughout the day and do my own kind of thing. It was very peaceful because I put my full attention to the fish and preparing them well for imaging. Counting out the brine shrimp needed for my prey capture data was the most challenging. It was tedious to count it repeatedly for every individual fish before and after the prey capture assay.

What are some of the opportunities you’ve had because of this research?

Breier: I’ve had the opportunity to present my work at symposiums and to attend the Midwest SETAC regional conference in 2024. These experiences have given me insight into how scientists collaborate and present new ideas and findings to each other.

Maske: I was able to present my experience in the school’s Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship program to seniors in high school who were prospective incoming students to UWL. It was an amazing opportunity to share what I was passionate about. Additionally, I was able to be a part of the Sea Grant video interviewing people in Dr. King-Heiden’s lab.

What are your plans after graduation and how will this experience benefit your career?

Breier: After graduation I hope to attend a physician assistant graduate program and earn my PA-C. Participating in undergraduate research has helped me prepare for graduate level education and helped me build skills that can be applied to my future education and career.

Maske: My plan after graduation is going to Clemson University in South Carolina to do a master’s program in food science. This experience will benefit my career plans because undergraduate research has taught me a lot of independence in running my own experiments yet also collaborating with my peers to ultimately reach the lab’s end goal of figuring out PFAS’s effects on humans and wildlife populations.

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects were highlighted in 2026. Elias Jeska was part of the Red Cedar Monitoring Group at UW-Stout.

Poster Title: Microcystin Concentrations and Space: A Survey of Spatial and Depth Patterns
Student: Elias Jeska, UW-Stout, Environmental Science major, Aquatic Biology concentration
Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
Mentor: Nicole Hayes

Summarize the research and your role.

My research involved looking at toxin dispersal in Lake Menomin. Lake Menomin is known for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. I wanted to look at how these toxins produced by cyanobacteria are dispersed across the lake. I then compared the toxin levels I found to the recreational health standards for cyanobacterial toxins. My role was to work with others to collect stream and lake data for professors, while also working on my research project.

What skills did you learn?

I learned how to use many different testing kits to analyze lake samples for chlorophyll and microcystin toxins. I also learned how to work with others and collaborate on research projects.

What was your favorite part about this experience? What was the most challenging?

My favorite part of this experience was working with so many other students on their various research projects. The most challenging part was managing my time and building a schedule that allowed me to complete my research project by the deadline.

What opportunities have you had because of this research?

I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to share my research at Research in the Rotunda in Madison, Wisc.

What do you plan to do after graduation? How will this experience benefit your career plans?

My goal is to find a job though the DNR or other agency that involves laboratory analysis of water in lakes. This experience allowed me to improve my communication and laboratory skills. I will already be familiar with many of the common procedures for testing water because of this experience.

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects were highlighted, including collaborative research that involves students and faculty from UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison. Several students have been trained on PFAS research methods, including Ben Zobel who presented his research at Research in the Rotunda. 

Poster Title: Enhanced Adsorption of Short-Chain PFAS (PFBS) on Metal-Impregnated Activated Carbon
Student: Ben Zobel, UW-Stevens Point, Paper Science and Chemical Engineering major
Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
Mentor: Seyed Amirfakhri

Summarize the research and your role.

I participated in lab work where I was in charge of weighing samples and following a procedure. The research talks about how different metals, particle size, and stirring speed impact adsorption capacity of activated carbon.  

What skills did you learn?

I learned several useful skills. I had the opportunity to lead a small team of students to present research and write a review article, which helped develop leadership skills. My communication skills were enhanced by discussing complex topics with nonacademic professionals. 

What was your favorite part about this experience? What was the most challenging?

My favorite part is reinforcing knowledge I learned in school with my research. For instance, in mass transfer classes I already had a strong understanding of adsorption and absorption processes by doing PFAS research and writing a review article. The most challenging thing has been finding time to do research. My school load has increased since I started doing research, so finding the balance has been difficult. 

What opportunities have you had because of this research?

I have had some cool opportunities from doing research. I went to a water conference in Wisconsin Dells last year, and I had the opportunity to go to Madison to present at Research in the Rotunda. 

What do you plan to do after graduation? How will this experience benefit your career plans?

I am going to work as a process engineer at Shawano Specialty Paper in Shawano, Wisc. This experience has made me think more about wastewater treatment processes. A potential career path for me could be working as a process engineer at a wastewater treatment plant. 

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects, including BenthicNet, were showcased. The project involves students and faculty from UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison. Two of the students shared their experiences.

Lessons from the Past: Leveraging museum Specimens to Advance Freshwater Biomonitoring
Jack Stecker, UW-Stevens Point, Fisheries major
Elyse Upthagrove, UW-Parkside, Applied Health Sciences major
Mentors: Jeff Dimick, Jessica Orlofske

Summarize the research and your role.

Upthagrove: A scientist named Hilsenhoff documented the aquatic bugs within the state of Wisconsin from the 1970s to the 1990s. Our research compares the bugs he found with current data. To do this, a specific point and uncertainty needed to be determined from each site and evaluated in terms of the current sites. Additionally, we need to bring the taxonomy up to date so we can determine which species Hilsenhoff would’ve been referring to, based on current taxonomic practices. This data can be utilized in the future to determine how the water quality has changed. Everyone had a role in each piece of the research; I mainly worked on georeferencing. 

Stecker: My role is to track macroinvertebrate names in taxonomic databases to see if the names used by Hilsenhoff are still valid and to track sample locations that Hilsenhoff had used and give them an updated GPS location.

What skills have you gained?

Stecker: I’ve learned how to properly investigate if certain organism’s names are valid and how to locate the new names if the old names are invalid. I also learned how to properly geolocate a location and how to scale the coordinates to how certain I was with the location.

Upthagrove: I learned a lot about georeferencing: finding the uncertainty of points, comparing points, locating sites based on minimal data. 

What was your favorite part and most challenging part of this project?

Stecker: My favorite part would have to be finding the different names of macroinvertebrates whether they are the old ones or the new ones. The most challenging part for me was trying to geolocate a location that did not have the clearest name or just a local name for its location.

Upthagrove: My favorite part of the experience was working with my group. Everyone had such an important role within the research, and the job couldn’t have been completed without each one of us. The most challenging part for me was figuring out what to put on the poster [for Research in the Rotunda]. Everything couldn’t fit, but each step of the research was so interesting and important for the end result. It was challenging to narrow it down. 

What opportunities have you had because of this research? 

Stecker: Through this research I have had the opportunity to join multiple workshops with UW-Madison and UW-Parkside on the proper practices of collecting and identifying specimens for a taxonomic collection. 

What are your plans after graduation and how will this experience benefit your career?

Stecker: I plan to work at a fish hatchery or to work for the WDNR as a technician for a fish biologist. This experience has allowed me to broaden what I have learned in classes. It also helped me to understand just what it takes to name and classify organisms in our ecosystems.

Upthagrove: After school, I plan on going to vet school and hope to work in an animal shelter. This experience will benefit my career plans by making me a more well-rounded person through learning how to use different online tools, presenting information clearly and concisely, and communicating with others to complete our goal.

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects were highlighted in 2026.

Poster Title: Monitoring Microcystin Concentrations of Inland and Great Lakes in Wisconsin
Student: Cole Lodholz, UW Oshkosh, Environmental Science major
Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
Mentor: Greg Kleinheinz

Summarize the research and your role.

My research examined spatial and seasonal trends in microcystin concentrations across inland and Great Lakes sites in Wisconsin. My role was to track how microcystin levels change over time between different Wisconsin lakes. [Microcystins are toxins released by certain types of blue-green algae blooms.]

What skills have you gained?

Through my research on microcystin monitoring in Wisconsin lakes, I developed strong laboratory, field and analytical skills. I gained hands-on experience collecting and processing water samples, performing competitive ELISA assays to quantify toxins and preparing 96-well microplates with precision. This project strengthened my ability to interpret environmental data, understand harmful algal blooms and communicate scientific findings effectively. 

What was your favorite part and most challenging part of this project?

My favorite part was having the opportunity to learn new analytic techniques in the ERIC lab that I used for research. The most challenging part of my research was organizing all the data over the years and putting it into readable graphs. 

What opportunities have you had because of this research? 

I have had the opportunity to connect with fellow researchers around the world and talk about my research at the Global Lakes and Beach Association and now at Research in the Rotunda through the Freshwater Collaboration of Wisconsin. 

What are your plans after graduation and how will this experience benefit your career?

I plan to continue my education in graduate school to study environmental science. My experience has allowed me to connect with many individuals outside the Oshkosh area and strengthen my laboratory, field and analytical skills that will be useful for me in the future.

A year and a half after participating in the Freshwater@UW Summer Opportunities Program, Hope Dzik still raves about the experience and how it changed her career path to water science.

In fact, Dzik is presenting her research from the summer of 2024 as part of her senior capstone project at Michigan State University where she is majoring Environmental Plant Biology. Not only that but she encouraged her roommate and members of the Michigan State Plant Biology club to apply to the program in 2026.

When Dzik graduates in May, she plans to take a gap year before applying to graduate schools to further study water.

“I’m at a point in my college career where I know I want to work in water but still have no idea what I want to specialize in,” she says. “What I do know is that I loved living in Wisconsin, and UW would be my top pick for grad school.”

Dzik says she hadn’t conducted field work at Michigan State prior to joining the Freshwater@UW cohort. She was nervous and excited to travel to Wisconsin to study bighead and silver carp, invasive species that can harm Wisconsin’s native fish populations.

“My experience with meeting other cohort members, grad students, professors, and many others involved in the program was one of the best parts of my summer,” Dzik says. “I made so many professional connections and met future environmental scientists from around the country.”

She worked with faculty and staff from the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center and the UW-Madison Biotechnology Center. Her research involved identifying how to best collect river samples from the Upham Woods campus, determining the most efficient way to extract DNA from carp, and refining techniques to analyze the DNA samples. The complete protocol is being used for teaching high school groups who participate in field trips at Upham Woods.  

Dzik says that without the opportunity to conduct summer research at UW-Madison and to participate in the professional development activities that are part of the program, she wouldn’t be considering graduate school or have the skills or knowledge to achieve her future career goals.

“This program is essential to training undergraduates and piquing their interest in the research and protection of not only Wisconsin’s waters, but freshwater across the country,” she says.

Funding for the Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program is provided by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the UW Water Resources Institute and Water@UW-Madison. This is the fifth year of the program.

Written by Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative

Finding cost-effective ways to reduce agricultural runoff is critical to improving water quality in the Fox-River basin. To help, Brown and Outagamie Counties have begun installing agricultural runoff treatment systems (ARTS).

ARTS were developed with a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in 2015. These pond-wetland systems are designed to work as natural phosphorus filters when installed next to farm fields. UW-Green Bay and USGS provide intensive monitoring for two of the ARTS sites.

UW-Green Bay researchers recently published results from a six-year study in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment that indicates that ARTS are one of the most cost-effective options for meeting Wisconsin’s nutrient reduction goals.

“Pond–wetland systems can intercept sediment and phosphorus from farm fields before they enter streams,” says Michael Holly, lead researcher on the study. “This creates opportunities for partnerships in which wastewater utilities support on‑farm installations and potentially achieve nutrient reduction goals through water quality trading.”

A Training Ground for Students

Not only are these systems cost-effective, but the Heart of the Valley (HOV) Metropolitan Sewerage District ARTS site in the Town of Buchanan is providing an excellent training site for high school and undergraduate students participating in Freshwater Collaborative–funded projects.  

“This site has started a lot of side projects that have led to additional research,” Holly says. “We bring the students out to see the bigger picture and how their research projects relate.”

The site provides opportunities for students to collect and analyze samples, test filter media and learn how to use equipment. Since 2018, five High School Freshwater Summer Scholars, 10 UW-Green Bay undergraduates and four Freshwater@UW Summer Scholars have conducted hands-on research at the HOV ARTS site.

UW-Green Bay faculty also take classes to the site for hands-on learning activities. When UW-Green Bay hosts the Ag-Water Nexus Seminar and Ag-Water Nexus Field Experience in fall, the ARTS site will provide real-life learning experiences for students interested in working with farmers to reduce phosphorus and protect nearby lakes.

Unique Experiences Through Freshwater@UW

As a Freshwater@UW Scholar, Ellen Chadwick conducted mentored research with Holly during the summer of 2024. The senior at Kenyon College in Ohio says the most valuable part of the summer experience was seeing how scientific research could be applied to real-world environmental problems.

“Visiting the ARTS site was especially meaningful,” she says. “Oftentimes, I feel like research happens mostly in isolation, and you rarely see the practical applications of your work. Here, the application was right down the road!”

Her summer research project at UW-Green Bay sparked her interest in a career focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Freshwater@UW Scholar Camden Chrudimsky felt a professional and personal connection to the research he conducted at the ARTS site. The UW-Madison undergraduate is from Green Bay and has seen the seasonal algae blooms that plague the Bay of Green Bay.

His research project at UW-Green Bay provided unique opportunities to work with metals and learn more about the chemistry behind phosphorus complexation. Particularly motivated was knowing that his findings were building upon previous student research at the site.

“This experience was amazing because it provided a large-scale perspective on where our work would eventually be applied,” Chrudimsky says. “Seeing the ARTS site showed me that there was real value behind our work. I was happy to see that UWGB was taking an initiative to protect this major waterway and improve phosphorus management practices.”

Finetuning Effectiveness

The recent publication outlines findings from the first six years of the HOV ARTS site. UW-Green Bay researchers intend to finetune processes to further increase effectiveness.

“I would like to see 90 percent effectiveness in nutrient reductions, and there are more things we can do,” Holly says.

For students, the research opportunities will continue — and prepare them for careers that will help them collaborate with Wisconsin’s farmers and wastewater treatment plants to address phosphorus pollution and other water quality issues.

Written by Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative

Each year Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol features undergraduate research at the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. Six Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects were highlighted in 2026.

Poster Title: A Systematic Approach to Testing of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water in Rural Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
Student: Meg Walker, UW-Eau Claire, Geology major with an emphasis in Environmental Science, minor in Spanish
Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
Mentor: Sarah Vitale

Summarize the research and your role.

My research investigates the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private wells in rural Eau Claire County. I have been involved in this project for the past year and a half, including collecting samples from homes and analyzing the results. In collaboration with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, we have been able to compile all results to observe the spatial correlation of the data. 

What skills have you gained?

Throughout this study, I have gained valuable hands-on experience with standard sampling protocol, communication with homeowners and laboratories, and presentation skills when showcasing the research at conferences.

What was your favorite part and most challenging part of this project?

My favorite part of this experience has been the unique collaboration with the local health department. Without their aid, much of this project would not have been possible. With so little known about PFAS, we are investigating every anomaly that results from the data. At times, it can be hard to understand what we are working with. However, this shows just how important our research is in protecting access to drinking water. 

What opportunities have you had because of this research?

Throughout my time on this project, I have been able to gain valuable experience presenting at different conferences. We presented our research at the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Conference in April 2025, UWEC’s Celebration of Excellence in Research & Creative Activity (CERCA) event (2025), and most recently, the Geologic Society of America Meeting in San Antonio, Texas (2025). 

What are your plans after graduation and how will this experience benefit your career?

After graduation in May, I plan to relocate to Salem, Oregon. I am hoping to begin my career in environmental consulting, looking for a career with hydrogeological opportunities. This research experience has allowed me to develop skills that I will take with me into my future career. When I was a freshman, I never would have expected to complete this type of undergraduate research. Through the Geology and Environmental Science program, I was able to have incomparable education and research experiences. 

Read more about this research and the collaboration.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Emily Valentine hadn’t considered a career in water until she went to UW-Madison.

“I loved that the campus was on Lake Mendota,” she says.

She enrolled as a chemistry major and after getting involved in sustainability organizations her first semester, she added environmental sciences and quickly learned how much she liked working with water.

The summer before her junior year, Valentine began researching per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Christy Remucal’s Aquatic Chemistry Lab at UW-Madison. One of Valentine’s graduate student mentors suggested she apply to the Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program. The program, funded in part by the Freshwater Collaborative, provides opportunities for undergraduates to work on research at a university other than the one they are enrolled at.

“I thought it would be cool to see what other labs are like,” Valentine says. “I chose Dr. [Joseph] Mondloch’s lab because it involved water and PFAS. I liked how environmental science and chemistry are merged in his lab.”

Her work in the Remucal lab focused on quantitative analysis, while her summer research as a Freshwater@UW Scholar looked at PFAS remediation technology. In Mondloch’s lab, she worked entirely with other undergraduates, which was a new experience she enjoyed. Valentine says one of her biggest challenges was identifying a research project she could tackle during two busy summer months.

“The more you learn about a topic, the more questions you have!” she says. “My eyes were opened to the vast possibilities and endless inquiries regarding this research.”

Having graduated in December 2025, Valentine plans to work for a year or so to gain real-world experience. Then she will apply to doctoral programs to earn her PhD in a field related to environmental chemistry or water chemistry.

“Wherever the future may take me, I want to continue learning about water, whether it be a part of my job or on my own time,” Valentine says. “I am deeply grateful for this experience, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”

Funding for the Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program is provided by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the UW Water Resources Institute and Water@UW-Madison. This is the fifth year of the program.

Written by Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative