Research

Ongoing research at the EMBL includes wastewater epidemiology, beach water quality & microbial source tracking, and wildlife/zoonotic disease

Wastewater Epidemiology

The State of Michigan SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology – Wastewater Evaluation and Reporting Network (SEWER Network) was established in 2020 to apply state-of-the-art wastewater epidemiology techniques to protect public health during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of 2024, our group is also monitoring Norovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The SEWER Network is a global model for population level disease surveillance. Our lab operates the Eastern Upper Peninsula portion of the network, covering 5 counties and ~5600 mi2 in partnership with local community wastewater facilities, the Chippewa County Health Department, the Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft District Health Department, and the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Updated Covid-19 Monitoring Results

MI SEWER Data

Note: To access our results, scroll down to Lake Superior State University and select the site you are interested in. The site works best on a computer.

Beach Water Quality & Microbial Source Tracking

In partnership with the Chippewa County Health Department and the MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (MI EGLE), we monitor recreational water quality in both Great Lakes and inland beaches throughout the summer months. When potential problems are identified, we can also conduct microbial source tracking to identify the responsible organism.

Beach water quality data is available at Michigan BeachGuard

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza, also known as avian flu, is caused by the influenza A virus, which can also infect humans. The type with the greatest risk is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and there are concerns that avian flu may mutate to become easily transmissible between humans. In partnership with Dr. Jason Garvon (LSSU Professor of Biology), we are investigating the prevalence of Avian Influenza in migratory waterfowl in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia bacteria that is spread by ticks in the genus Ixodes, and is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Northern Hemisphere. Symptoms vary, but can include the well known bullseye rash, fatigue, facial palsy, Lyme arthritis, neurological problems known as neuroborreliosis, and other symptoms, which may be chronic. Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) affects ~10 to 20% of people. In partnership with Dr. Jason Garvon (LSSU Professor of Biology), we are investigating the prevalence of Lyme Disease in Northern Michigan.

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