Spirit Lake, Iowa – A new endowed graduate fellowship has been created to advance research in fisheries biology, water quality, and watershed management within the Iowa Great Lakes ecosystem. The Edward Thelen Graduate Fellowship in Fisheries Biology and Water Science Research will provide funding and field opportunities for graduate students to conduct hands-on research in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, operated by the University of Iowa.
Funded through the generosity of private donors, the fellowship honors Edward Thelen’s career and contributions to the Iowa DNR, where he dedicated his life’s work to maintaining, protecting, and enhancing Iowa’s fisheries and aquatic habitat.
Partnership to Advance Science and Stewardship The program will be jointly supported by the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau and the Iowa Lakeside Lab, combining field expertise, scientific rigor, and local stewardship to address the most pressing fisheries and ecological questions in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
“This fellowship represents a remarkable opportunity to attract the brightest graduate students to our unique and valuable ecosystem,” said Mike Hawkins, NW Regional Fisheries Management supervisor with the Iowa DNR. “The Iowa Great Lakes are not only a natural treasure for our state but also a living laboratory for understanding aquatic systems. This program ensures that future scientists will have the resources, mentorship, and access they need to continue protecting these waters for generations to come.”
The Iowa Lakeside Lab, located on the shores of West Okoboji Lake, has long served as a hub for research, education, and outreach in the region.
“By pairing the strengths of the DNR’s field programs with the academic resources of Lakeside Lab, this fellowship will give graduate students unparalleled opportunities to conduct impactful research,” said Mary Skopec, executive director of Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. “It’s an investment not just in science, but in the future health and sustainability of our lakes, rivers, and watersheds.”
Focus on the Iowa Great Lakes Ecosystem Participants in this new program will engage in projects addressing topics such as fish population dynamics, invasive species management, water quality monitoring, and watershed health. Research outcomes will inform conservation and management strategies for the Iowa Great Lakes and other freshwater systems in the Midwest.
Graduate students pursuing degrees in fisheries biology, aquatic ecology, environmental science, or related fields are encouraged to apply by contacting Andrew Carlson, Fisheries Biologist at the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery by e-mailing him at andrew.carlson@dnr.iowa.gov.
About the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau The Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau works to protect, maintain, and improve Iowa’s diverse fish populations and aquatic habitats. Through science-based management, public education, and collaboration with partners, the bureau ensures healthy fisheries for both present and future generations.
About the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Founded in 1909, the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station of Iowa’s state universities dedicated to research, education, and outreach focused on the state’s natural resources. Its programs bring together students, faculty, and scientists from across the country to study and preserve the unique ecosystems of the Iowa Great Lakes region.