Community Members Learn About Blue Heron Research Vessel in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Community members stepped on deck to learn all about the Blue Heron research vessel in the Duluth.

UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory hosts the Science on Deck event in the Duluth Harbor near Pier B Resort. There are three days of tours offered this summer.

Scientists and staff are on hand to give tours, talk about their recent studies as well as give an overview of the layout of the vessel and research opportunities.

“This is a really great opportunity to highlight all the various different things that our research is doing at UMD and LLO, Large Lakes Observatory. And for the community to come in and talk to us one on one and get to talk in our language about what we’re doing and see how it’s benefitting the community,” said Lily Karg, UMD graduate who studied biochemistry.

“Some of the best things about it are you know every day is different. There’s different scientists that come out doing different projects,” said Jason Agnich, Marine Technician.

One scientist gave a presentation about bacteria and gut health.

“Most of my work right now focuses on how we can do small changes in our diet to improve our gut health. And gut health is important not only for just how your gut functions but also like how you feel in general. It controls things like anxiety, depression, colon cancer rates, things like that and so, we’ve been doing a lot of work on just small manipulations you can do to your diet. Easy little things you can do to improve your gut health,” said Jessica Sieber, Assistant Professor at UMD.

Science on Deck is a free event. The Large Lakes Observatory has been hosting tours since the spring of 2013.