Nov 22
Jun 19, 2020
Dr. Ashley Moerke Elected as President of the Society of Freshwater Science
Center of Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) Director, Dr. Ashley Moerke, was recently elected as President of the Society of Freshwater Science at the annual meeting held via Zoom. Dr. Moerke’s position began on June 9, 2020 where she will serve one year as a President-Elect, one year as President and one year as Past President. The Society of Freshwater Science is a 2,000 member international scientific organization, founded in 1953, whose purpose is to promote further understanding of freshwater ecosystems and ecosystems at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Dr. Moerke also serves as Professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at Lake Superior State University and has been a main driving force in the creation of the new Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE), currently under construction, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Having a strong passion for teaching and supporting undergraduate students, Dr. Moerke is a well-respected professor at Lake Superior State University, and is widely known as being instrumental in amplifying student success for numerous university students.
Dr. Moerke has supervised over 100 undergraduate theses and led or collaborated on over 20 funded research projects (>$2.5 million directly to LSSU) that have provided hundreds of undergraduate students with hands-on research experiences.
The year of Dr. Moerke’s presidency will also coincide with the official opening of the Center for Freshwater Research and Education. Under Dr. Moerke’s leadership, the Society of Freshwater Science will host a joint aquatic sciences meeting in Grand Rapids, MI in 2022, with other major scientific societies including the American Fisheries Society.
“Throughout my career, the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) was foundational in building my confidence, challenging and strengthening my ideas, and introducing me to people who would become the best mentors, colleagues, and friends that I could have imagined. I am honored to now help lead SFS so that it continues to welcome and engage scientists from diverse backgrounds, provide opportunities to promote quality science and policy initiatives, and transform how our world views scientific information and freshwater ecosystems,” said Dr. Ashley Moerke. The President of the Society of Freshwater Science was an attractive opportunity for Dr. Moerke because she attributes her professional development largely to the pathways that SFS provided her throughout her professional career. This same foundation is a driving force behind Dr. Moerke’s passion and dedication into teaching her students.
“I am thrilled that Professor Moerke will be taking on this international leadership role as SFS President,” said Jennifer Tank, the Ludmilla F., Stephen J., and Robert T. Galla Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. “As a former president of the society, I truly appreciate the importance of this three-year commitment in supporting those who study freshwater ecosystems. The presidential role is critical in helping to guide and translate the most significant freshwater science to policymakers, educators, and other natural resource leaders. Dr. Moerke also brings the breadth of leadership skills from her experience at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) which is a thriving segment of the society’s membership.”
Dr. Rodney Hanley, President of LSSU, stated, “I am proud of the work that Dr. Moerke has done throughout her time at LSSU. She is a respected and passionate educator and I have no doubt that she will serve the Society of Freshwater Science well during her term. This position will also help to further highlight the important role that CFRE will play to connect our faculty and students to an international scientific network.”
Lake Superior State University is one of Michigan’s most affordable public universities with One-Rate at Lake State tuition for all. Surrounded by three Great Lakes, LSSU is an unsurpassed location for research, focusing on real-world experiences. Well known for programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, nursing, criminal justice, and fire science; Lake State is also leading the way with innovative new programs, including cannabis chemistry, cannabis business and robotics engineering. For more information, visit LSSU.edu.
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