GLIN==> ‘Backbone’ of Great Lakes research receives Lifetime Achievement Award

  Media Alert

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2011

 

CONTACTS:

June Kallestad, UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute, 218-720-4300, jkallest at nrri.umn.edu

 

Sharon Moen, University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, 218-726-6195,

smoen at d.umn.edu

 

‘Backbone’ of Great Lakes research receives Lifetime Achievement Award

 



Joseph DePinto (left) accepting the IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award from Robert Heath. Credit: June Kallestad

 

 

Duluth, Minn. -- Joseph DePinto, a senior scientist at environmental consulting group Limno-Tech, Inc., in Ann Arbor, Mich., was recognized Wednesday evening for 35 years of work that has been the “backbone of decision-making for the Great Lakes ecosystems,” according to Robert Heath, president of the International Association of Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). Heath presented DePinto with the IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award during the group’s annual conference banquet.

 

DePinto’s extensive body of work in developing computer models of Great Lakes processes has set the standard and the format for development of other models, according to Heath. And Duluth scientists studying Lake Superior have also leaned on this body of knowledge.

 

“His modeling is original and state-of-the-art,” said Heath. “His work truly has led the field for 35 years.”

 

UMD Scientist Valerie Brady provided data for DePinto’s models to forecast the effects of proposed changes to Lake Superior water levels on wetlands. Ecologically diverse meadow marshes are particularly sensitive to these changes.

 

“DePinto’s work and today’s technology makes it possible to investigate potential effects of water levels on wetland plants and animals that wasn’t possible before,” said Brady.

 

The International Association of Great Lakes Research is a group of scientists, engineers and lake managers from academia, governmental agencies and other aquatic science interests. Their annual conference is the largest meeting in the world focused exclusively on large lakes, their coastal wetlands and tributaries.

 

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