John A. Downing

John Downing headshot
Professional Title
Director

Biography

  • Limnology, aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, fisheries, lake management and restoration, eutrophication, harmful algae blooms, groundwater, biodiversity, endangered species, carbon cycling, global role of lakes and streams
  • Research, education and science policy
  • Professor, Department of Biology and with Large Lakes Observatory (UMD)
  • Immediate past chair, Council of Scientific Society Presidents
  • Immediate past president, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography

Publications

Videos

MNSG Leadership

  • Director

Education

Ph.D. - Biology
McGill University
M.S. - Zoology
North Dakota State University
B.S. - Biology
Hamline University

Earth's Eye: Director's Column

woman pours water from a bottle into a mug

Water Purification in the Wild

Water from lakes and streams can contain a lot of things that can make you sick. Making drinking water safe when camping, on the trail, or simply traveling, has become big business with many options. A safe solution is easier and cheaper than you might think. Minnesota Sea Grant’s April 2023 Director’s Column has information to help keep you safe and hydrated. 

Jagged pieces of ice on shore of Lake Superior.

Forecasting Ice-Out on Minnesota Lakes

I wanted a tool to measure the thawing potential that weather exerts on lakes in spring so my friends, colleagues, and family could better plan for spring activities. So I made a fun widget called the Minnesota Lake Ice-In and Ice-Out Widget to help track thawing in spring. 

Lake Superior, Minnesota Point, Duluth-Superior harbor aerial view

Ice, Fish-Friendly Shoreline Property, and Staff Milestones

The open water of Lake Superior (right) and the frozen water of the Duluth-Superior harbor (left). Image credit: M. Thoms

Partially frozen plate ice on a lake

Sounds of Ice

Plate ice, cracked ice, and refrozen plate ice on a Minnesota lake. Image credit: John A. Downing.

Young child sitting on counter filling glass from water faucet.

Getting the Lead Out

Image credit: Igor Pushkarev. All AdobeStock images in this story are protected by copyright.

Beach bonfire on rocky shore by water with waves.

Fire, Water, and Ash: Are Wood Fires Harmful to Lakes?

Image credit: ©diyanadimitrova. Stock.adobe.com

Two people holding hands standing on a wooden dock looking out toward a lake and a forest.

Minnesota: Land of How Many Lakes?

Image credit: ©Mariana. stock.adobe.com

Waves rolling onto wide grassy beach

Social Costs of Poor Water Quality

Image credit: M. Thoms

Clear, jagged chunk of ice against a dark blue background.

Lake and River Ice: Formation and Classification

Image credit: ©besjunior. stock.adobe.com

Outreach Projects

Trout being tossed from a hand-held net into an aquaculture pond.

Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative

The Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC) is a three-year (2019-2022) project to create a regionwide group to foster relevant, science-based initiatives that support aquaculture industries. Credit: L. Angradi.

Top down view of school of spotted fish

Aquaculture Market Study

The Aquaculture Market Study is a three-year (2020-2023), $250,000 project led by the University of Minnesota Sea Grant program that was created to determine the potential for a sustainable food-fish aquaculture industry in Minnesota.

A man wearing a winter hat blowing on his cold hands.

Hypothermia: Understanding and Prevention

History, prevention, kits, rescue, field treatment and more about hypothermia.

Map of Minnesota with arrow pointing to the airport in Hibbing.

Minnesota Lake Ice-In and Ice-Out Widget

This ice-in and ice-out widget is a bit of science fun to show you how to estimate when a body of water like a lake is likely to freeze or thaw.