University of Minnesota Duluth

Water

Person wearing pink sunglasses and waders takes notes while standing among tall grasses.

Core experiences

How early curiosity about the natural world shaped one student’s path in environmental science.

Person standing beside a large black twin-propeller apparatus mounted on a floating platform, with an orange crane and wooded hillside in the background.

Future-forward energy

Andrew Walz grew up tinkering in a garage in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Today, he’s helping a German startup harness rivers for renewable energy.

An aerial image showing Lake Superior waters and shoreline beneath a partly cloudy sky.

Underwater neutrino testing in Lake Superior, Lake Vermilion to begin this fall

Novel underwater detection experiment will continue Minnesota’s legacy of neutrino research

A young man in a beanie and jacket stands at the railing of a boat, watching the sunrise over Lake Superior, with three others in the background.

UMD’s new maritime engineering track

How place-based learning puts Duluth students at the helm of marine innovation.

a group of educators pose for a group photo in front of a research ship.

What happens when educators spend a week aboard a research vessel on Lake Superior?

Six smiling people stand on the deck of UMD's Blue Heron research vessel, a blue ship operated by the Large Lakes Observatory, docked at a pier.

Science on Deck kicks off the 2026 season

Community events offer public hands-on science opportunities aboard the R/V Blue Heron.

A person rock climbing with a view of a lake in the background.

Anchored in academics and adventure

Finding a strong foothold in research and rock climbing at UMD.

UMD's Blue Heron research vessel, a blue ship operated by the Large Lakes Observatory, docked at a pier with the Duluth shoreline visible in the background.

Scientists discover new life aboard Great Lakes research vessel

Routine maintenance leads to unexpected microbial discovery in “ship goo” on the R/V Blue Heron's rudder shaft.

a sunrise aerial image showing the R/V Blue Heron and Lake Superior.

UMD announces new director of LLO

The University of Minnesota Duluth announces Catherine O’Reilly as director of the Large Lakes Observatory.

A woman in a hard hat and reflective vest poses in front of domes structures

Positively impacting the region

Alumna keeps waterways clean from the helm of WLSSD.

fish swim near the surface of clear but brown water near a concrete and steel structure.

Research Brief: 50-year generation gap in Minnesota’s longest-lived fish

Three-year study identifies conservation concern for native Minnesota fish.

Sunflowers in full bloom in foreground and Swenson Civil Engineering building in background.

Retiring Faculty 2023-24

UMD honors and thanks these faculty for their years of teaching and service.

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