August 2016 Letter from the Director
Hello!
There are few moments in life where opportunity and preparedness (a.k.a. ‘luck’) perfectly align. For me, this happened last month when I teamed up with Dr. Susan Galatowitsch to become Co-Directors of MAISRC. For one year, Sue will continue to oversee existing projects to ensure a productive and stable transition. I thank her, MAISRC founder Dr. Peter Sorensen, the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Department of Natural Resources, and all of the many, many stakeholders who have positioned MAISRC to be an innovative and collaborative leader in the field of aquatic invasive species research. I am excited to build on this foundation to find research-based solutions to AIS problems in Minnesota.
I get it. I grew up on the lakes in northern Minnesota and know firsthand the issues our lakes and rivers face, and the challenges that must be overcome. So much so, that I have dedicated my education and career to do what I can to protect them. I am by no means alone and am humbled to work with an incredible team of ~40 researchers affiliated with MAISRC. We are working tirelessly to find solutions, but are faced with the reality that quality research can take time. However, there are many reasons to be optimistic: our work is already filling key knowledge gaps for decision-making and making an impact on the prevention, control, and management of AIS in Minnesota.
What might that be, you ask? Come to our 2016 Research Showcase to find out!
No other time of year will all the MAISRC researchers be in one place and available to you. Listen to their latest research findings, plans for future work, and ask questions. Have lunch or a drink during the social with them. Provide input into our current research needs assessment. Hear from the DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr and UMN CFANS Dean Brian Buhr. See the newly renovated state-of-the-art and one-of-a-kind research lab. Network with fellow AIS stakeholders from across the state. I could go on, but a long story short – I hope to see you there.
Time to get back to the lab…
Sincerely,
Dr. Nick Phelps
Co-Director, MAISRC
