Gannon University Water Resource Sustainability

GANNON UNIVERSITY WATER RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY

Gannon University is committed to its long history of aquatic research, education and outreach. This is demonstrated through our intentional initiatives regarding lake health. These efforts aim to reconcile the environment with the economy to preserve and steward the natural resources of Lake Erie while simultaneously responding to community needs and growing the economy through job creation.

Partnering with the Regional Science Consortium

Gannon University became the anchor institution for the Regional Science Consortium in Fall 2022 to provide collaboration and continuity of education- and research-based knowledge and understanding of the Lake Erie and Ohio River Basin ecosystem to expand sustainability resources and initiatives.

• Enhanced community research and education

• Workforce training and development

• Student internship and employment support

• Chemistry, cell culture, instrumentation, microscopy, plant, aquatics and biological prep laboratories

Erie Greenhouse Project

Through Gannon’s new partnership with the Regional Science Consortium, greenhouses will be added on or around campus in 2023 to grow native plants for Presque Isle, provide small business opportunities for local residents and create a new food source for the community.

• Capable of generating 3,000-15,000 plants

• Support pollinators, provide seeds for new growth

• Job creation

• Education and research recycled plastics

Great Lakes Research & Education Center

Gannon will complement its laboratories and technology on campus with a new research and education center at the main Lake Erie docks in downtown. This will create new opportunities for hands-on learning and community engagement as well as increase efficiencies and effectiveness of research conducted nearby.

• Adjacent boating access

• Air and Water Quality Lab

• NOAA Science on a Sphere Classroom

• Aquatics Research Lab

Project NePTWNE

Project NePTWNE, which is short for Nano & Polymer Technology for Water and Neural-networks in Erie, takes an inclusive and holistic approach to addressing water quality, climate change, economic development and quality of life.

• Measuring and monitoring impacts on the health of Lake Erie

• Mitigating microplastics and pollutants

• Manufacturing removal and prevention solutions

• I-HACK additive manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence technology

TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF OUR GREAT LAKES

Our Location

Gannon University’s campus is within walking distance to Lake Erie and just minutes from the beaches and natural surroundings within Presque Isle. This prime location is ideal for the ecological and environmental research and projects led by the university and is central to local and regional organizations to partner in advancing the sustainability of our Great Lakes and the region’s economy.

Gannon has been a trusted and reliable community partner committed to the community’s development for nearly 100 years. As a partner in this initiative, you will become part of Gannon’s dedicated and stable network gaining access to opportunities with faculty experts and students who are transforming to rising professionals across a wide variety of industries, all with a shared focused on protecting our ecological resources.

Our Community Impact

Gannon’s Water Resource Sustainability initiative brings together university and community experts and resources to build a better future together. The goals and outcomes from this initiative are projected to contribute significant economic and ecological impact.

• 15 new jobs created through RACP investment

• $80+ million annual Erie economic impact

• Workforce of 20 academic and professional experts

• NOAA reports that coastal areas like ours represent strong economic and ecological engines in the Great Lakes. For every dollar spent in funding, an estimated $3.35 in economic activity is produced annually.

For questions or more information, contact:

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

iwanenko001@gannon.edu