The UW Oshkosh HABs Project is a four-year effort to better understand and reduce harmful algae in the Winnebago Pool Lakes.

This work is part of a National Science Foundation–funded project called EMBAST. The team includes students and researchers from UW Oshkosh, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

together, they are:

  • Studying what causes harmful algae

  • Exploring how it affects people, wildlife, and communities

  • Looking at history, land use, and policy to understand long-term change

  • Creating educational tools and citizen science programs

The goal is simple: build stronger connections between science, people, and places to protect our lakes for the future.

Learn and Get Involved

The UWO HABs Project has created activities and resources to help people recognize harmful algae, understand what causes them, and take action to help prevent them.

Meet the HABs Team

Our interdisciplinary team combines expertise across several research tracks to better understand and address harmful algal blooms in the Lake Winnebago region.

Sally Scum
Sally has been living in the Winnebago system for thousands of years. More recently, she has grown very popular. Her interests include eating phosphorus, warm water, sunny days, and climate change. In her spare time, she likes to hang out at HABs. Her favorite beach is High Cliff State Park.
Shannon Davis-Foust
Shannon has her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from UW-Milwaukee and has widespread interests in water quality, habitat restoration, and citizen science. She teaches at UW Oshkosh in Biology and Environmental Studies, organizes outreach events, and advises environmental student groups.
Maddie Behrens
Maddie is pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at UW Oshkosh and plans to pursue graduate work in water quality or toxicology. She has experience monitoring E.coli at Door County beaches and works on the HABs project on Lake Winnebago.
Kevin Crawford
Kevin is an analytical chemist with a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech. His research interests include trace chemical analysis. He teaches Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry at UW Oshkosh and manages the campus Community Gardens.
Jim Feldman
Jim is a professor of Environmental Studies & History at UW Oshkosh and director of the Environmental Studies Program. He researches how people have historically interacted with algae blooms. He also enjoys parenting, cooking, canoeing, and cheering for Chicago sports.
Pen Priebe
Pen is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Philosophy. Their research interests include snow’s disappearance from culture and the separation of humans from nature. Outside academia, they enjoy hiking, photography, and electronic music.
Meredith Agnew
Meredith is a senior in Environmental Studies and a longtime SIRT intern. She chairs the Green Fund Committee and enjoys cooking, hiking, and kayaking. She aims to work in freshwater ecosystems after graduation.
Nichole Janak
Nichole is a senior Anthropology major with research experience in campus belonging and demographic studies. Originally from San Diego, she enjoys hiking, video games, and time with her dog, Jax.
Desmond Adongo
Desmond is a junior studying Environmental Studies, Economics, and GIS. He previously worked in corporate training and now serves on the UW Board of Regents. He enjoys hiking, biking, and tech building.
Ethan Phillips
Ethan is a senior majoring in Anthropology and Criminal Justice with minors in Forensics and Psychology. He has research experience across several fields and enjoys camping, running, and fishing.
Frankie Kerkhof
Frankie recently graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology and minors in Social Justice and Spanish. They are the Lead Ethnographic Student Researcher and have a passion for music, hiking, and cultural fieldwork.
Blayde Pamperin
Blayde is a recent graduate with degrees in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. He works on the Ethnography track and enjoys reading, writing, and the outdoors.
Jack Keating
Jack is a senior in Environmental Studies focusing on policy. He’s excited to gain experience through community outreach. He enjoys boating, music, and reading.
Will Stevens
Will is a junior in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. This is his first field-related job, and he enjoys games, cooking, and time outdoors with his cats.
Toni Verhagen
Toni is a senior Geography major with a focus in GIS. She works on spatial data and analysis for the EMBAST team. She enjoys karaoke, hiking, and travel.
Morgan Mulroe
Morgan is a PhD student in cultural anthropology at SUNY Albany. A UW Oshkosh alum, she supports ethnographic methods and enjoys music, hiking, and drawing.
Rhianna Schoeneberg
Rhianna is a senior in Anthropology with minors in Biology and Music. With experience in biological anthropology, she is excited to explore ethnographic methods.
Tobin Jackson
Tobin is a third-year Anthropology student with additional certificates in Indigenous and LGBTQ+ Studies. She works on community perception of HABs. She enjoys kayaking, reading, and music.
Gavin Nardi
Gavin recently graduated with a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. He supports field sampling and lab analysis for the Biophysical team.
Sam DeLain
Sam is a senior Biology major with a minor in Environmental Studies. She supports the biophysical team and enjoys hiking, foraging, and caring for her pets.
Dr. Heidi J Nicholls
Dr. Nicholls is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UWO and the lead social scientist on the project. She teaches and researches power, identity, and student success. She enjoys horses, travel, and her cat, Aiko.

Explore More:

Harmful Algae →     UWO HABs Project →     UWO HABs Activities →

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of the EMBAST initiative.