Research Centers
Center for Community and Regional Research (CCRR)
College of Liberal Arts
The Center for Community and Regional Research is a Duluth-based unit of the all-University Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). The CCRR’s mission is to provide faculty and students from across the UMD campus and members of local community organizations and institutions the opportunity to collaborate on research and outreach projects of significance to the northeast Minnesota region and surrounding areas. CCRR also serves as a partner and source of support for the Urban and Regional Studies program at UMD.
For more information contact the director at ccrr@d.umn.edu or visit www.d.umn.edu/ccrr.
Center for Freshwater Research and Policy (CFRP)
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
There is a tremendous amount of activity at UMD in the area of freshwater research and policy, taking place in several colleges, at the Center for Water and the Environment at the Natural Resources Research Institute, at the Large Lakes Observatory, in the Water Resources Science graduate program, through various programs administered by Minnesota Sea Grant, and in collaboration with a variety of external entities, such as the Mid-Continent Ecology Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The CFRP was created to facilitate communication among scholars from various fields at UMD who are working on these interesting and important problems, and to foster communication between those working in this area at UMD and various external constituencies.
Large Lakes Observatory (LLO)
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
LLO researchers study large lake systems throughout the world, focusing on their biological, chemical, and circulation dynamics, and the record preserved in lake sediments of the past operation of these processes. The LLO conducts detailed research in sedimentology, paleoclimatology, basin structure and evolution, current processes, isotope geochemistry, organic and inorganic aquatic chemistry, nutrient dynamics, primary productivity, and zooplankton dynamics. The observatory’s sedimentological, biological, and biogeochemical laboratories are equipped with a range of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. It operates the only University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) research vessel in the Great Lakes, the R/V Blue Heron. The Blue Heron is equipped with an acoustic Doppler current profiler, high-resolution seismic reflection and multi-beam sonar systems, CTDs, a triaxus towed vehicle, computer systems for data collection and archiving, water column sampling equipment, and several sediment corers.
Students may pursue graduate studies with LLO faculty through UMD’s master of science programs in geological sciences, chemistry, and physics, or through the Integrated Biosciences, and Water Resources Science (WRS) Programs, which serves the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Graduate students may also pursue doctor of philosophy degrees with LLO faculty through the WRS Program or through individual departments and the Graduate School on the Twin Cities campus. LLO also employs several undergraduate science majors each year.
Minnesota Sea Grant College Program
Academic Administration
Minnesota Sea Grant addresses coastal environments and economies through a partnership between the University of Minnesota and the federal government. It is one of 32 similar science-based programs that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant Program. The program works statewide with people and communities to identify needs, foster research, and communicate results that enhance life in and along Lake Superior and Minnesota’s inland waters. Minnesota Sea Grant partners with other agencies, institutions, and organizations across the state, region, and country to maximize resources and outcomes.
Minnesota Sea Grant provides competitive funding for University researchers to address problems and opportunities associated with Lake Superior and Minnesota’s inland waters. Research focus areas include healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable coastal development, safe and sustainable fisheries, and hazard resilient coastal communities. Minnesota Sea Grant supports master’s and doctoral degree assistantships for University students working on the program’s research projects.
Minnesota Sea Grant’s outreach links the University to coastal communities. Outreach staff are dedicated to providing technical assistance, research-based information, and education programs on a variety of Great Lakes issues, including fisheries, aquaculture, water quality, land use planning, aquatic invasive species, and maritime activities. Sea Grant’s staff also alerts University researchers to the needs of Minnesota’s citizens.
Follow the program through Facebook, Twitter, Podcasts, RSS feeds, and online at: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/.
Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
Academic Administration
The NRRI is composed of scientists, engineers, and researchers with a wide array of expertise who provide technical, research, and economic development assistance to businesses, industry, and government agencies.
The institute was established in 1983 to “foster the economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.” This mission is met through:
- technology development—finding new ways to extend, improve and use products from Minnesota’s resources;
- resource management—providing information to help Minnesota’s decision-makers manage resources and the environment; and
- client services—giving regional businesses (large and small) the competitive edge.
The NRRI’s facilities are available in special circumstances for laboratory work associated with courses in the sciences and engineering. On joint NRRI-UMD research projects, financial assistance is available for graduate students in the form of research assistantships.
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratory (NATSRL)
The NATSRL program, founded in 2000, focuses on improving the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation systems in northern regions through applied research activities. The specific emphasis areas include:
- Innovative strategies to prevent and reduce crashes and incidents on roadways; Advanced traffic management and information technologies under normal and inclement weather conditions; Next-generation sensing technologies for road, weather, and traffic conditions; Winter road maintenance strategies, including snow and fleet management;
- Large scale data management and area-wide performance measurement.
Visit NATSRL for more information.
Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI)
GLMRI was established in 2004 as a consortium of the universities in the Great Lakes region to develop and improve economically and environmentally sustainable maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. In 2005, GLMRI was designated as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute under the United States Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. GLMRI is administered through a partnership between UMD and the University of Wisconsin-Superior with ten affiliated universities in the Great Lakes basin. The focal research areas of the institute include:
- New shipping market opportunities on Great Lakes including short sea shipping for both passenger and freight transportation, Innovative strategies to prevent invasive species and improve environmental conditions in the Great Lakes, Environmental and economic benefits of waterborne transportation on the Great Lakes, New vessel designs and ship building/repair capabilities on the Great Lakes,
- Efficient intermodal infrastructure to handle various types of shipping needs on the Great Lakes.
Visit GLMRI for more information.
Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG)
MPIRG is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, student lead organization which addresses issues such as environmental quality, consumer protection and education, renters’ rights, solid waste management, racial and sexual discrimination, and corporate and government responsibility. Students pay an optional/refundable fee each semester at registration to support MPIRG’s work.
Student Legislative Coalition (SLC)
SLC advocates student views on University quality, affordability, and accessibility. The optional/refundable fee is charged each semester at registration. For information about lobby efforts, contact a Student Association officer.
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