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

Partially frozen plate ice on a lake
December 28, 2021

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.
November 1, 2021

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.
July 1, 2021

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.
May 17, 2021

Minnesota: Land of How Many Lakes?

Image credit: ©Mariana. stock.adobe.com

May 1, 2021

Social Costs of Poor Water Quality

Image credit: M. Thoms

Clear, jagged chunk of ice against a dark blue background.
February 25, 2021

Lake and River Ice: Formation and Classification

Image credit: ©besjunior. stock.adobe.com

Outreach Projects

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 crea

Logos of Habitattitude, Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers, and CD3

Aquatic Invasive Species Campaigns

Minnesota Sea Grant supports the Habitattitude, Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, and CD3 campaigns to slow and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

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.

Hypothermia: Understanding and Prevention

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

Media Mentions

News Releases

January 27, 2021

Can Minnesota Support a Sustainable Aquaculture Industry? New Minnesota Sea Grant market study seeks answers

This is one of several food-fish aquaculture projects led by the University of Minnesota Sea Grant program.

Logo with fish, gull, and the words Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative.
September 19, 2019

Great Lakes Sea Grant programs awarded $1 million for aquaculture collaborative

Duluth, Minnesota - Great Lakes states are not keeping pace with increases in consumer demand for fish and seafood, which is contributing to a