![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wko_serpentinenorth_14426_mainimagedavid-g.-schmale-opt-scaled.webp)
About the project
The Our Lakes, Our Future team comprises over 40 national and international researchers and cultural experts passionate about protecting and revitalising the health of lakes in Aotearoa.
Our vision is that lakes in Aotearoa are cherished and thriving. We’ll achieve this by implementing world-leading holistic approaches for characterising lake health, assessing their vulnerability to degradation and climate change, and enhancing lake restoration.
Our research aims
We are developing a set of globally unique approaches to monitoring and managing lakes.
Holistic lake health
We are developing comprehensive approaches to measuring lake health that incorporates cultural values and biodiversity.
Explore Lake Health
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fish_futures_rotorua_28_09_2023_DAP6801sm_photo_dave_allen_MH-scaled.jpg)
Susceptibility & diagnostic assessment
Our team is evaluating vulnerability to degradation, climate change and diagnosing causes of decline.
Explore Diagnostic assessment
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Buoy-Lake-Tarawera-Chris-McBride_MH.jpg)
Lake restoration framework
We are developing an integrated decision-making framework to guide rigorous and effective lake restoration.
Explore Lake Restoration
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MH.jpg)
Our Team
Our team includes experts in lake and environmental science, mātauranga Māori, social science, and science translators.
Programme Co-leads
Susie Wood
Freshwater Molecular Scientist
![Susie Wood](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Susie-Wood-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Marcus Vandergoes
Paleoecologist
![Marcus Vandergoes](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marcus-Vandergoes-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Team Members
Ana Tovey
Communications
![Ana Tovey](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ana-Tovey-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Andrew Rees
Paleo Freshwater Ecologist
![Andrew Rees](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Andrew-Rees-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Brendon Blue
Social Scientist
![Brendon Blue](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Brendon-Blue-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Bryan Spears
Lake Restoration
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Placeholder-Male.jpg)
Chris Moy
Paleoclimatologist
![Chris Moy](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chris-Moy-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Claire Shepherd
Paleontologist
![Claire Shepherd](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Claire-Shepherd-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
David Hamilton
Lake Ecologist and Modeler
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/file-20190827-184207-1ffxmj2.jpg)
Deniz Ozkundakci
Freshwater Ecologist
![Deniz Ozkundakci](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Deniz-Ozkundakci-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Diane Orihel
Aquatic Ecotoxicologist
![Dianne Orihel](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dianne-Orihel-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Dianne Gleeson
Molecular Ecology
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dianne-Gleeson.jpg)
Frank Burdon
Freshwater Ecologist
![Frank Burdon](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Frank-Burdon-opt-90percent-800px-e1716243015363.webp)
Georgia Thomson-Laing
Molecular Ecologist
![Geogia Thomson Laing](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Geogia-Thomson-Laing-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Henry Gard
Lab Technician
![Henry Gard](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Henry-Gard-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Jacob Thomson-Laing
Research Technician
![Jacob Thomson Laing](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jacob-Thomson-Laing-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Jamie Howarth
Geochronologist
![Jamie Howarth](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jamie-Howarth-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Janine Bidmead
Project Manager
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BIDMEAD_Janine_7474.jpg)
Jeff Brass
Visual Communications
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BRASS_Jeff_Final-scaled.jpg)
Jenny Dahl
Lab Technician
![Jenny Dahl](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jenny-Dahl-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
John Pearman
Molecular Ecologist & Bioinformatician
![John Pearman](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/John-Pearman-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Jonathan Puddick
Cyanobacterial Ecologist
![Jonathan Puddick](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jonathan-Puddick-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Kathryn Gale
Freshwater Scientist
![Kathryn Gale](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kathryn-Gale-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Katie Brasell
Freshwater & Molecular Scientist
![Katie Brasell](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Katie-Brasell-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Kiely McFarlane
Social Scientist
![Kiely McFarlane](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kiely-McFarlane-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Kirill Shchapov
Freshwater Scientist
![Kirill Shchapov](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kirill-Shchapov-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Konstanze Steiner
Molecular Scientist
![Konstanze Steiner](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Konstanze-Steiner-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Lena Schallenberg
Lake Molecular Ecologist
![Lena Schallenberg](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lena-Schallenberg-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Lizette Reyes
Field & Lab Technician
![Lizette Reyes](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lizette-Reyes-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Lucy Thompson
Research Technician
![Lucy Thompson](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lucy-Thompson-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Marianna Terezow
Paleontological Technician
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TEREZOW_Mariana-v02.jpg)
McKayla Holloway
Science Translator
![Mckayla Holloway](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mckayla-Holloway-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Mereana Wilson Rooy
Freshwater Scientist
![Mereana Wilson Rooy](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mereana-Wilson-Rooy-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Miquel Lürling
Lake Restoration
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WUR_Miquel_573383.jpg)
Nicholas McKay
Climate Change
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Team_photo_Arizona_NickMckay.jpg)
Reece Martin
Iwi advisor & Engagement
![Recce Martin](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Recce-Martin-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Riki Ellison
Iwi Advisor & Engagement
![Riki Ellison](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Riki-Ellison-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Rose Gregersen
Freshwater Scientist
![Rose Gregersen](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rose-Gregersen-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Sean Fitzsimons
Geochronologist
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Placeholder-Male.jpg)
Sean Waters
Limnologist & Aquatic Geochemist
![Sean Waters](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sean-Waters-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Sebastian Naeher
Organic Geochemist
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NAEHER_Sebastian_Final-scaled.jpg)
Simon Stewart
Freshwater Ecologist
![Simon Stewart](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Simon-Stewart-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Soweeta Fort-D’Ath
Iwi Advisor & Engagement
![Soweeeta For D'Arth](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Soweeeta-Fort-DArth-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Tania Gerrard
Māori & Stakeholder Relations
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GERRARD_Tania_Final-scaled.jpg)
Xun Li
Palynologist
![Xun Li](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Xun-Li-opt-90percent-800px.webp)
Yvonne Vadeboncoeur
Foodweb Ecology
![](https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/yvonne-vadeboncoeur-opt-800.jpg)