The University of Toledo researchers who monitor summer algal blooms, test water safety for swimmers and advance the fight against invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes are helping inspire budding scientists this week.

The summer science camp for fourth and fifth graders titled “Nature of Maumee Bay” will take place at the Lake Erie Center, where all week the students will take part in laboratory exercises and outdoor activities, including scavenger hunts and collecting insects.

The media is invited as students get in the pond to collect samples with nets from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 15 at the UT Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Road in Oregon.

“They’ll be digging through dirt and up to their knees in water,” Rachel Lohner, education program manager at the Lake Erie Center, said. “The kids usually find a lot of tadpoles and small fish.”

Throughout the week-long day camp, students will keep a daily observation journal and use rubber molds to do fish printing on t-shirts.

“This is a great opportunity for kids to explore the world and learn about trees, wildflowers and birds along the way through hands-on experiences while having fun with new friends,” Lohner said. “We hope this creative learning camp helps grow their interest in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and math. Those jobs are in high demand, and we want to set these students up for success.”

A graduate student at The University of Toledo is the first researcher to find direct proof of grass carp, a type of invasive Asian carp, spawning in a Great Lakes tributary.

Holly Embke collected eight grass carp eggs last summer in the Sandusky River, which flows into Lake Erie. She discovered the eggs between Fremont, Ohio, and Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay after a period of heavy rains.

Grass carp egg

The fish eggs, which were confirmed through DNA testing, mark the first direct evidence of the invasive species reproducing in the Great Lakes basin. Embke’s paper is published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research. Embke also will present her work at the annual conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research on Thursday, June 9 at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.

This research was conducted as a follow-up to U.S. Geological Survey findings in 2013 that indicated four young grass carp taken from the Sandusky River were the result of natural reproduction.

UT graduate student Holly Embke

“Lake Erie commercial fishermen have reported catching grass carp since the mid-1980s, but those catches were thought to be sterile escapees from ponds and small lakes that were legally stocked for aquatic weed control,” said Embke, who is pursuing a master’s degree in biology in the Department of Environmental Sciences. “The discovery of these eggs in the Sandusky River means that this invasive species of Asian carp, which consumes large amounts of freshwater vegetation, is naturally reproducing in our Lake Erie watershed.”

Although considered a species of Asian carp, wild adult grass carp pose significantly different risks to the Lake Erie ecosystem than bighead carp and silver carp, which are the two invasive Asian carp species of great concern in the Mississippi River basin. Both bighead carp and silver carp consume plankton, and if these species were to make their way into the Great Lakes basin they would compete for the same source of food that ecologically and economically important native fish species need to survive. Silver carp are well-known for their jumping ability.

Grass carp pose a risk to waterfowl habitat and wetlands, but they do not eat plankton and are unlikely to compete directly with native fish. Grass carp do not jump and are primarily herbivorous. They can alter habitats for native fish communities near the shoreline by eating submerged, rooted plants and weeds.

Multiple grass carp eggs under the microscope

Scientists with UT, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and the USGS are collecting additional samples from the Sandusky River to continue studying the habitat requirements of grass carp spawning in order to inform methods for control of all invasive species of Asian carp.

“While the discovery of eggs is disconcerting, grass carp continue to remain present in the Lake Erie system in very low abundance,” said Rich Carter, executive administrator for fish management and research with the Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife. “There is currently no evidence of negative impacts to the Lake Erie ecosystem that can be attributed to grass carp. However, it is important that we remain vigilant and continue to build understanding about this species in Lake Erie and throughout the Great Lakes.”

“Given the similarities in reproductive strategies, this ongoing research on grass carp spawning may help us minimize the risk of bighead carp and silver carp from establishing a foothold in the Great Lakes,” said Patrick Kocovsky, a USGS research fishery biologist. “What we learn here also might apply to potential control strategies in tributaries to the Mississippi River.”

Sterile grass carp can be legally stocked in Ohio, as well as Indiana, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. They are a popular pond and small lake management tool because they control aquatic weeds. Ohio has banned the stocking of fertile grass carp and Michigan has banned all grass carp. The fish was first imported to the U.S. from Taiwan and Malaysia in 1963.

One of the locations on the Sandusky River where Holly Embke collected grass carp eggs

Researchers will next work to identify the spawning and egg hatching locations for the Sandusky River.

“Predicting locations and conditions where grass carp spawning is most probable may aid targeted efforts at control,” Embke said.

Embke is based out of UT’s Lake Erie Center where she does all of her sample processing and analysis.

The UT Lake Erie Center is a research and educational facility focused on environmental conditions and aquatic resources in Maumee Bay and western Lake Erie as a model for the Great Lakes and aquatic ecosystems worldwide.

“This discovery was student research,” Christine Mayer, UT ecology professor, said. “Our graduate students are doing work that is useful. They’re not just in the lab. They’re out in our region’s rivers and lakes providing information that helps solve problems.”

For more information on Asian carp or how to report sightings, go to wildlife.ohiodnr.gov.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (June 3, 2016)

After Memorial Day weekend, The University of Toledo Ritter Planetarium is opening the doors to its newly-renovated Brooks Observatory for Mars Watch 2016.

The public is invited from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 31-June 2, to view the Red Planet through the UT telescope as Mars marks its closest approach to Earth in more than a decade.

Photo credit: NASA

“There is a window every two and a half years when the views of Mars are exceptional because the planet comes into what is called opposition – the point when Mars and the sun are on directly opposite sides of the Earth,” Alex Mak, associate director of UT Ritter Planetarium, said. “Each year is a little bit different.  This year is one of the better ones.”

The event is free and dependent on clear skies.

“This opportunity to see Mars at its best will be fascinating for people of all ages,” Mak said. “Mars is probably everybody’s favorite planet besides Earth. The zillion dollar question is whether there is life on Mars. We don’t know yet. It’s going to be the first planet we ever travel to. As far as conditions, it’s the one that is most like Earth.”

Visitors are invited to meet in the lobby of McMaster Hall where they will be guided up to Brooks Observatory.

Media Coverage
The Blade (May 30, 2016)

The somewhat ticklish, exfoliating feel of toes in the sand is one of the joys of a Great Lakes summer escape.

To preserve the beauty and health of a northwest Ohio shoreline frequently visited by families, The University of Toledo Lake Erie Center is inviting the public to help pick up litter on Maumee Bay State Park’s public beach at 4 p.m. Friday, June 3 in Oregon.

The clean up is in partnership with the Alliance for the Great Lakes which holds more than a dozen Adopt-a-Beach events throughout the region each year sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

Last year, nearly 15,000 Adopt-a-Beach volunteers – enough to fill 207 school buses – removed 37,581 pounds of trash at 348 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“It’s important that people throughout our entire community take care of our Lake Erie beaches,” said Rachel Lohner, education program manager at the UT Lake Erie Center. “Keeping them tidy will help inspire a new generation of Great Lakes lovers with a lifelong respect for their value to our ecosystem and economy.”

For more information or to register online, visit greatlakesadopt.org.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (June 3, 2016)

More than 170 sophomore high school girls will visit The University of Toledo Thursday, May 12 when prominent female scientists and engineers across the region will introduce them to the exciting world of science and technology careers through hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

The seventh annual Women in STEMM Day of Meetings, which goes by the acronym WISDOM, will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on UT’s Main Campus and Health Science Campus.

UT faculty and professionals at Dana Corporation and Marathon Petroleum Corporation will help inspire a passion for science careers by exploring the tools of the trade.

The girls will perform experiments in a number of areas, including physics and astronomy, chemistry, biology, engineering, pharmacy and medicine.

Activities for students include building solar cells, making liquid nitrogen ice cream, swabbing their cheeks for a DNA sample, constructing model airplanes, interacting with robots through computer programming and whipping up a sugar scrub for their feet and hands (see schedule below).

“Helping young women stay interested in STEMM and pursue a job in a field with low unemployment is one of the best things we can do for our region,” said Edith Kippenhan, senior lecturer in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and president of the Northwestern Ohio Chapter of the Association for Women in Science. “For every STEMM graduate there are four jobs waiting.  For every non-STEMM job opening, there are two applicants. It is our hope this fun visit to UT will help students discover there is a supportive network ready to receive them and help turn their dreams into reality.”

Students from Toledo Public, Washington Local and Oregon Schools, as well as from the Toledo Islamic Academy and Wildwood Environmental Academy, will participate in WISDOM at the University.

The event is hosted by the Northwestern Ohio Chapter of the Association for Women in Science.  Sponsors include Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Columbia Gas, Spartan Chemical Company, Dana Corporation, Toledo Chapter of the American Chemical Society, the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women and the UT Colleges of Engineering, Medicine and Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Photo/video opportunities include:

• Building solar cells: 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in Student Union Room 3016 on UT’s Main Campus;
• Making liquid nitrogen ice cream: 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in Student Union Auditorium on UT’s Main Campus;
• Making model airplanes: 10:25 a.m. in Brady Engineering Innovation Center on UT’s Main Campus;
• DNA sampling: 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in Student Union Room 3018 on UT’s Main Campus; and
• Making sugar scrub for hands and feet: 9:10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. in Health Education Building Room 019 on UT’s Health Science Campus.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (May 10, 2016)

The planet Mercury transits the sun only about 13 times a century, and you can witness it next on Monday, May 9.

Mercury transits the Sun as seen from Earth in 2006. (Credit: ESA/NASA/SOHO)

The Ritter Planetarium at The University of Toledo is helping the community mark the occasion with programs at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The 15-minute programs will be followed by a live-streaming image projected on the full-dome screen.

The Toledo Astronomical Association also will have a telescope with a solar filter on hand outside the planetarium so that people can see the transit live, weather permitting.

The planet will take about seven and a half hours to cross the sun. The last such transit was Nov. 8, 2006.

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (May 6, 2016)
13 ABC (May 6, 2016)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded The University of Toledo nearly $500,000 to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes through bait shops, outdoor outfitters, pond suppliers and pet stores.

The project funding is part of $12.5 million in 2016 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants announced Wednesday by the US EPA and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

Carol Stepien

“We want to block potential pathways for invasive fish and mollusk species that can cause billions of dollars in economic damage,” said Carol Stepien, director of the UT Lake Erie Center and leader of the two-year project. “Retailers, customers and even taxonomic experts are often unable to distinguish these non-native species from native species at early life stages – as eggs, larvae or fry. Many minnows in a bait store may appear alike, including invasive Asian carp. Plus, buyers sometimes release non-native pets, bait and other organisms into waterways, which can have unpredictable and widespread effects.”

Stepien is working with Kevin Czajkowski, professor and director of the UT Center for Geographic Information Sciences and Applied Geographics, and Andrew Solocha, UT associate professor of finance.

The team will use UT’s newly developed DNA diagnostic tests to analyze fish and mollusks purchased from retailers.

Researchers will detect invasive species, diagnose supply chain sources and pilot a voluntary “Invasive Free” certification program for retailers.

“We also will survey hundreds of fishermen and businesses to help close the ‘door’ to this avenue into the Great Lakes,” Stepien said. “Accurate detection within the marketplace is critical to maintaining long-term ecological health. Within two years we plan to launch a public education campaign.”

The EPA has awarded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants to UT researchers for several projects over the last few years, including development of the early detection DNA technology for high risk invasive species, as well as wetland restoration that helps prevent bacteria from entering Maumee Bay.

“With support from a strong alliance of bipartisan senators, representatives, states, tribes, municipalities, conservation organizations and businesses, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will keep making strong investments to resuscitate the Lakes,” said Cameron Davis, senior advisor to the U.S. EPA Administrator.

Media Coverage
The Blade (May 4, 2016)
The Blade (May 4, 2016)

The University of Toledo is partnering with the Lucas County Engineer’s Office to give the new roundabout at the intersection of Dorr Street and King Road a new look from the ground up.

Dozens of students in UT’s Department of Environmental Sciences will plant flowering species of plants native to the Oak Openings region next week at the new 67-foot diameter traffic island in Springfield Township.

Students and organizers will be available for media interviews from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 at the Dorr and King roundabout.

“People may be surprised that we specifically wanted bare sand to begin the gardens,” said Todd Crail, an environmental studies lecturer at UT who regularly moves his classroom outdoors for student service learning. “The plants we use are adapted to this type of soil, as well as the regional climate.  Therefore, they need little maintenance or watering once established and – more importantly – do not require fertilizer.”

The Lucas County Engineer’s office paid $7,000 for nearly 9,000 native species plants to be used in this project. According to the county, it costs on average $11,000 for labor and materials to plant a more traditional, non-native landscape that also requires continuous weeding.

“The county is actually saving money by going this landscaping route both initially at the outset and over the long term because native species require minimal upkeep,” said Kyle Warner, a traffic/design engineer with the Lucas County Engineer’s Office.  “As Todd and his group of volunteers are donating their labor, more money can be focused on the native plants themselves with the idea that a denser planting pattern will reduce the opportunity for weed growth. It’s a self-sustaining landscape that does not need mulch or fertilizer, and it requires very little – if any – watering or maintenance after 2-3 years. Even if we put down rock or stone, it would require ongoing labor and harsh chemicals to treat and prevent weed growth.”

The students will be planting predominantly herbaceous species that also keep weeds at bay by taking up nutrients and space.  Plants include black eyed susans, butterfly milkweed, dotted horsemint, prairie thimbleweed, rattlesnake master, rough blazingstar, wild bergamot and wild blue lupine.

Last year, UT students planted the roundabout at Dorr and Centennial.

Media Coverage
The Blade (May 4, 2016)
The Blade (May 4, 2016)

Arbor Day 2016 marks 50 years since The University of Toledo’s Stranahan Arboretum opened to the public as a place of beauty, learning and inspiration.

A group of UT students will celebrate the golden anniversary by recreating the tree planting ceremony of five decades ago along with food and games from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 29 at the 47-acre site at Sylvania Avenue and Corey Road.

UT President Sharon L. Gaber will attend the tree planting ceremony that begins at 4:30 p.m.

The free, public event on Arbor Day will feature guided tours and family activities, including potato sack races and Frisbee.

“As a senior project, our group called Team Treedom Arboretum wants to ignite the hope and inspiration that was present 50 years ago by involving both the community and the University,” Matthew Miller, UT student majoring in environmental studies, said. “We want to help make a difference by inspiring the next generation of tree planters with our love of nature and belief in preserving forests for the future.”

“The UT Stranahan Arboretum is not only an outdoor laboratory for ecology and geology classes, it is a place to nurture plants and engage our community in fascinating biodiversity,” Gaber said. “We want to use this milestone to kick off the next 50 years of our work to protect the environment here and across the broader region.”

The W.W. Knight family donated the land to UT in 1964 in memory of Robert Stranahan, founder of Champion Spark Plug Company.

The Stranahan Arboretum opened in 1966 and serves as one of the Department of Environmental Science’s field sites for education and research. It also hosts educational programs for local K-12 school students.

“Trees are amazing. They not only make our world beautiful, they clear our air and clean our water,” Daryl Dwyer, director of the arboretum, said. “The 50^th anniversary of the Stranahan Arboretum should remind us to thank J. Sterling Morton, who with his wife organized the first Arbor Day in Nebraska in 1872 as a holiday that is a promise for the future made by planting trees that ‘grow and self-perpetuate themselves and shed yearly blessings’ on us all.”

Parking will be available at Camp Miakonda located at 5600 W. Sylvania Ave.  A UT vehicle will shuttle visitors to Stranahan Arboretum.

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 30, 2016)

Astronomers at The University of Toledo have identified a new object in space approximately 100 light years away from Earth estimated to be roughly five to 10 times the mass of Jupiter and 10 million years old.

The free-floating planetary mass object identified by researchers as a brown dwarf is called WISEA J114724.10-204021.3, or just WISEA 1147 for short.  A brown dwarf is a light-weight star that lacks enough mass to fuse hydrogen into helium, the process that makes stars like the Sun shine.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The new object is a member of the TW Hydrae family of stars and is located in the Crater constellation.

“We estimate it is one of the youngest and lowest-mass free-floating objects yet discovered in the Solar neighborhood, which is within 300 light years,” said Adam Schneider, UT post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and lead author of the new study to be published in The Astrophysical Journal. “This is not orbiting a star, so it is not a planet. It likely formed on its own in isolation like stars. We can use this to help us inform our understanding of chemistry and cloud structure of exoplanets, which are planets that orbit stars other than the sun.”

According to NASA, this discovery provides new clues in a mystery of galactic proportions regarding possibly billions of lonely worlds that sit quietly in the darkness of space without any companion planets or even a host sun. Where do the objects come from? Are they planets that were ejected from solar systems, or are they brown dwarfs?

“We are at the beginning of what will become a hot field – trying to determine the nature of the free-floating population and how many are planets versus brown dwarfs,” said co-author Davy Kirkpatrick of NASA’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

UT undergraduate student James Windsor, a sophomore studying astrophysics, is listed as one of the study’s co-authors.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

“James played a vital role at the outset of the study by identifying WISEA 1147 from a candidate list of several thousand,” said Mike Cushing, associate professor of astronomy and director of UT’s Ritter Planetarium. “Exposing undergraduates to cutting-edge research plays an important role in their education and I am happy that in this case it resulted in a pretty amazing discovery.”

“To make the discovery and have a student be involved is just awesome,” Schneider said.

James Windsor

“The ability to do research like this as an undergraduate student is one reason I chose to attend UT,” Windsor said. “This whole experience is mind blowing. I’m a kid who grew up in the village of Paulding, Ohio, dreaming of becoming an astronomer.”

For more information and to download images from NASA, go to http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6424.

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 20, 2016)
13 ABC (April 22, 2016)
WTOL 11 (April 22, 2016)
FOX Toledo (April 22, 2016)
The Independent Collegian (April 27, 2016)