Great Lakes community outreach about harmful algal blooms and health
Community Engagement Core
This project brings scientists, local leaders, and residents together to share information and tools to lower health risks from harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes region.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11364987 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a community perspective, the project will strengthen environmental literacy and share research findings so people better understand when and where blooms are risky. It will work with local decision makers, agency staff, businesses, media, students, and shoreline residents to change behaviors and inform management and policy choices. The team will identify gaps in what we know about bloom impacts and use outreach to help prevent exposure and reduce harm. Sea Grant outreach experts will guide the design and delivery of educational materials, tools, and resilience practices.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who live, work, or recreate along the Great Lakes and nearby waterways, including watershed residents, anglers, and local businesses.
Not a fit: People who do not use or live near Great Lakes waters and are not exposed to algal blooms would likely see little direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower people's exposure to toxic algal blooms by improving local warnings, policies, and everyday behaviors.
How similar studies have performed: Outreach and community-engagement programs have reduced exposures in other coastal systems, though applying these approaches to cyanobacterial blooms in the Great Lakes is a targeted effort.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winslow, Christopher — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Winslow, Christopher
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.