Research teams from GEO 181 First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES) present the results of their research projects focused on Lake Michigan dunes and ذكذكتسئµâ€™s Perseverance Dune.
FYRES 2024 students gathered around a sampling location to collect data.
2025 Dune Research Presentations
The GEO Seminar Series at ذكذكتسئµ invites public lectures each semester on topics related to geology, geography and the environment. The GEO Seminar on 4 December 2025 from 3-4:30pm was Dune Research Presentations by First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes research teams. To see the video of the entire event which was livestreamed via Zoom:
Links to videos of individual presentations are available below.
Presentation Topics and Research Teams
Impacts of Unmanaged Trails on Sand Movement
by Makayla Goodrich, Lucy Giessen, Renata Laird, and Mia Powell
Tick Habitats on Dune Slopes
by Peter Baima, Jacob Kissinger, Micah Mackenzie, Betsy Perez, Kaley Sheahan, Jonathan Solis
Blowout Activity at Hoffmaster State Park
by Ian Emmelkamp, Bibi Moricette, Nancy Oteney, and Cohen Schneider
Cirsium pitcheri in Relation to Unmanaged Trails
by Willem Klop, Asher McNiel, Ivy Ries, and Alisha Steinmann
Wooded Dunes as Tick Habitats
by Benjamin Cooper, Jared Genthner, Levi King, Cole Schmidt, and Polly Zenk
Team member and coauthor Jared Genthner had a schedule conflict and was not able to join his team for the presentation.
Previous Presentations
2024 Dune Research Presentations
The GEO Seminar on 5 December 2024 from 3-4:30pm was Dune Research Presentations by First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes research teams. To see the video of the entire event which was livestreamed via Zoom: . Links to videos of individual presentations are available below.
Emerging Dunes Found Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline
by Syann Benckhuysen, Mary Claire Davis, and Abigayle Seigneurie
Threats to Cirsium Pitcheri at Rosy Mound Natural Area
by Rhys Bedford, Nathan Boersema, Sam Hagberg, and Elem Rottman
Characteristics of Succession on a Lake Michigan Blowout
by Lilliah Engel, Hope Gritter, Lucas Phelps, Jace Porter, and Susannah TenHuisen
Impacts of Building a Boardwalk on a Dune
by Emily Baartman, Tyler Gerrick, and Jordyn Holtsoi
Vegetation Patterns and the Effects of Trampling on Blowouts
by Kelsey Brunsting, Charles Kuiper, Linnea Pothoven, and Josslin Wright
Sand Fences and Rare Thistle Patterns on a Managed Dune
by Bethany Carlson, Rebecca Evenhouse, Maia Peterson, and Corinne Van Stratt