Description:

Please join us for our next Wildcats in Water student seminar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT.

Wildcats in Water is a monthly student seminar series where students share innovative water research through engaging flash talks, followed by informal networking with snacks and drinks. These gatherings are designed to create meaningful connections across our water community while showcasing exciting student work across disciplines. Open to all students, faculty, and staff.

This month’s theme: Local Lakes Research: Past & Present
Flash talks from two student researchers working across timescales, from high-frequency coastal hazards in Lake Michigan to paleoclimate reconstruction in the Midwest and New England.

📅 When
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT

📍 Where
O.T. Hogan Biological Sciences Building, Room 1-160

2205 Tech Drive, Evanston (First Floor)

🍽️ Lunch
Free lunch will be provided.

Featured Speakers

Alexa Yeo

PhD candidate (Hydrology), Colorado School of Mines

Alexa will present on high-frequency water level fluctuations (HFWLF) in Lake Michigan, including meteotsunamis and seiches that can pose hazards to coastal communities. The talk will highlight recent observations from Green Bay, wave events from summer 2025, and how 3D hydrodynamic–wave modeling can improve detection and forecasting of coastal hazards in the Great Lakes.

Aidan Burdick

PhD candidate, Earth Science (DEEPS)

Aidan will share research using paleolimnological tools to reconstruct climate during the last glacial–interglacial transition. By analyzing chironomid assemblages, oxygen isotopes, and lacustrine carbonates, this work investigates linkages between temperature and hydroclimate in Northern Illinois and New England, shedding light on abrupt climate change and human–climate interactions at the end of the last glacial period.

This is a great chance to learn about innovative lakes research and connect with peers across disciplines. Please feel free to forward this invitation to students and colleagues who may be interested.

Please fill out the interest form, or email us at water@northwestern.edu.