Catherine O’Reilly, PhD, a globally recognized aquatic ecologist, has been appointed director of the Large Lakes Observatory (LLO) and faculty member in the Earth & Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD).
O’Reilly joins UMD from the National Science Foundation, where she served as program director from 2022–2024, as well as a professor at Illinois State University. Her research, focusing on Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania, explores biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, and the impacts of climate change and human activity on freshwater ecosystems.
"The Large Lakes Observatory has made tremendous strides under Dr. Robert Sterner’s leadership. With Dr. O’Reilly at the helm, we are confident that LLO will continue to thrive and evolve as a leader in freshwater science,” said Wendy Reed, dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at UMD. “Her interdisciplinary approach, commitment to cutting-edge research, and track record of collaboration will guide LLO into its next chapter of growth and discovery."
O’Reilly earned her PhD in Geosciences from the University of Arizona in 2001. She has held faculty positions at Vassar and Bard Colleges and served as primary investigator on the Nyanza Project, a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.
O’Reilly’s work on the impacts of climate change on Lake Tanganyika contributed to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC report "Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability." She has also been instrumental in several large-scale international studies on changes to lakes around the world, and is dedicated to diverse collaborations, such as her Data as Art exhibit.
Pictured in front of the R/V Blue Heron, Catherine O’Reilly, PhD, a globally recognized aquatic ecologist, has been appointed director of LLO and faculty member in the Earth & Environmental Sciences Department at UMD.
At LLO, O'Reilly will oversee the strategy and operations of the institute's staff and programs, advancing its mission to conduct interdisciplinary research, outreach, and education on large lakes worldwide. "LLO has such a unique combination of scientists,” O’Reilly said. “They’re all incredibly strong, and they’re really known around the world.”
“This opportunity to come in and help this team grow and expand into additional areas of freshwater science is incredibly appealing to me. I'm excited about working with such a talented team, and I believe LLO has the potential to truly become a premier freshwater research institute," O’Reilly said.
The Large Lakes Observatory is part of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at UMD, and is dedicated to expanding and communicating knowledge about the past, present, and future of large lakes worldwide.
O’Reilly’s appointment takes effect January 2, 2025. Prior to her appointment, Ted Ozersky served as interim director from August through December 2024 following Robert Sterner’s leadership in the director role from 2014–2024.
Header Image: A sunrise aerial image of LLO's R/V Blue Heron docked at Superior, Wisconsin.