ESF Researchers Tapped for Grant to Forecast Aquatic Invasions in Lake Champlain Basin Using Advanced DNA Technology

10/20/2025

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Oct. 20, 2025 – A research team from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has been recommended for a two-year grant from the Lake Champlain Sea Grant to pioneer a new, high-tech approach in the fight against aquatic invasive species (AIS).

The project, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Richard Ross Shaker, will use environmental DNA (eDNA) and advanced spatial modeling to create an early-warning system for the Lake Champlain Basin. This innovative method will help predict and manage the spread of non-native species that threaten the basin's ecological health, recreational value, and economic stability.

The project, “Forecasting Aquatic Invasions Across the Lake Champlain Basin: Integrating eDNA and Spatial Modeling for Early Detection and Management,” involves analyzing water samples for microscopic genetic traces left by organisms. This allows scientists to detect the presence of invasive species far earlier and more efficiently than traditional visual surveys.

“We are thrilled that Lake Champlain Sea Grant has recommended our project for funding," said Shaker, an assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at ESF. “By combining eDNA surveillance with powerful predictive mapping, we can provide resource managers with a forward-looking tool — a forecast for future aquatic invasions and prioritization of management resources. This will government and NGOs to be more proactive and strategic in protecting our waterways."

“This work bridges the gap between sophisticated lab science and the practical needs of on-the-ground conservation,” said Shaker. “The decision-support tools will empower local communities and environmental agencies to use their resources more effectively in safeguarding the Lake Champlain ecosystem for future generations.”

Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Eddie Bevilacqua, ESF professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management, noted the project's collaborative nature. The project brings together a distinguished team of collaborators from multiple institutions, including:

• Dr. Hyatt Green, ESF associate professor, Department of Environmental Biology
• Sakib Tahmid Rishan, ESF Ph.D. student environmental science
• Dr. Jose Andrés, Cornell University, Atkinson Center for Sustainability
• Erin Vennie-Vollrath, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
• Brian Greene, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program
• Meg Modley Gilbertson, NEIWPCC and Lake Champlain Basin Program
• Dr. Steven H. Pearson, DEC, Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

“The innovative use of environmental DNA and spatial modeling marks a transformative step toward protecting our waterways,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “This project exemplifies ESF’s leadership in applying cutting-edge science to solve urgent environmental challenges.”

The research is expected to produce actionable, science-based tools that will directly support environmental managers, policymakers, and lake associations throughout the Basin. The project aligns with Lake Champlain Sea Grant's strategic goals of protecting healthy ecosystems and fostering resilient communities.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.