Water researchers are always looking for new and innovative ways to reach out to people about how the impacts of their work can help improve water quality. Serena George is one of those researchers.
A Ph.D. student in veterinary medicine and molecular and environmental toxicology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Serena has created “Finding Norman,” a comic book story about a fish involved in Eurasian watermilfoil research, one of the more well-known and challenging aquatic invasive species inhabiting our waterways, including in the Great Lakes region. The project was inspired by her work with Sea Grant’s Emerging Contaminants Specialist Gavin Dehnert.
Readers can follow Norman on his journey through the scientific experimental process while learning about the importance of water research in helping control invasive species, which can harm native flora and fauna and impact our local economies.
Serena is shown sharing her strip at UW–Madison’s Spring Research Day, held last March. The project is supported by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.