After nine weeks of immersive mentored research across Wisconsin’s freshwater landscapes, the 2025 Freshwater@UW cohort presented their findings at a research symposium at UW-Madison on July 30. The event showcased the work of the 30 undergraduate researchers who spent the summer investigating water-related challenges.
This year’s cohort represented a diverse cross-section of students from across the Universities of Wisconsin system and beyond. Each student was matched with a mentored research project hosted at one of seven campuses, including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-La Crosse, UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Parkside and UW-Stevens Point.
Projects spanned a wide range of freshwater topics, including:
- PFAS detection, impacts and remediation (UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point)
- Aquatic ecology and restoration, from marsh monitoring to lake sturgeon to dragonflies (UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside)
- Water quality and nutrient dynamics, including phosphorus mobility and microcystin monitoring (UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW Oshkosh)
- Social science and communication, with projects on oral histories, podcast production and outreach strategies for invasive species and PFAS (UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison)
Students conducted fieldwork and lab analysis at their sites. They also engaged in weekly professional development seminars, learned science communication skills and explored a variety of career pathways. Their final presentations included flash talks and posters. Many of these will be shared at upcoming academic conferences and professional meetings.
“This year’s cohort was phenomenal,” says Alison Mikulyuk, program coordinator. “The students brought curiosity, creativity and a deep commitment to freshwater. Watching them grow as researchers and communicators was truly inspiring.”
The Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities program is funded by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Sea Grant, the UW Water Resources Institute and Water@UW-Madison. The program equips the next generation of freshwater professionals with knowledge and skills they need to meet Wisconsin’s water challenges.
Students return to their home campuses with new skills and knowledge, as well as a deeper connection to Wisconsin’s freshwater ecosystems — and a clearer vision of their future in water science.