Award of Excellence

Award of Excellence

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2025: Alan "Al" Steinman

Alan (Al) Steinman is the Allen and Helen Hunting Research Professor of Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI). Previously, he was Director of AWRI for 22 years, and before that, Director of the Lake Okeechobee Restoration Program at the South Florida Water Management District. Steinman has published over 200 scientific articles, book chapters, and books; has been awarded over $60 million in grants for scientific and engineering projects and over $6 million in private fundraising; and has testified before the U.S. Congress and the Michigan and Florida state legislatures. 

Among his awards are Phi Beta Kappa; Paul Harris Fellow (Muskegon Rotary); Fellow of the Society for Freshwater Science; the Award of Excellence from the National Garden Clubs; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Outstanding Planning Achievement Award; the Joan Hodges Queneau Palladium Medal from the National Audubon Society; Dr. Niles R. Kevern Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan chapter of the North American Lake Management Society; CR Everson Award from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council; Keiser Distinguished Lecturer in Life Sciences from Ohio Northern University; and the Patricia B. Johnson Award for Leadership and Innovative Grantmaking.   

Steinman currently is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Committee to Review Everglades Restoration, as well as science advisory boards/committees for 1) the International Joint Commission; 2) University of Michigan’s Water Center; and 3) NOAA’s Science Advisory Board Ecosystem Sciences and Management Working Group. He has served on the State of Michigan’s Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, Michigan’s Phosphorus Advisory Committee, and Ottawa County (MI)’s Executive Groundwater Committee. Editorial service includes currently Review Editor for Frontiers in Environmental Science (Freshwater), and previously, Associate Editor for Freshwater Biology, Freshwater Science, and Journal of Phycology. His current community service includes Executive Committee for the Alliance for the Great Lakes; Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (vice-chair), and the West Michigan Symphony. 

Al received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University under the guidance of Dave McIntire, and was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the guidance of Pat Mulholland and Jerry Elwood. Steinman’s current research interests include aquatic ecosystem restoration, harmful algal blooms, phosphorus biogeochemistry, and water policy.

From Dr. Steinman’s letters of nomination for the Award of Excellence:

Over the course of his career, Al has significantly impacted our scientific understanding, while also contributing significantly to management and policy issues across two major ecological systems (Everglades and Laurentian Great Lakes). He is an unselfish contributor and collaborator to many workgroups and study groups, always providing constructive criticism in a timely manner. The impact of his career spans issues across human and natural systems, and disciplinary topics ranging from molecules to systems.

Al is a world leader in the application of multidisciplinary research approaches in aquatic ecology, ecological restoration, and coupled human and natural systems. He is well known for both his theoretical work on algal ecology as well as his extensive work in nutrient management and ecosystem restoration. Not content with merely advancing our understanding of the structure and function of the lower trophic levels of fresh and brackish waters, Al excels in translating knowledge into practice that informs policy and management of two large, complex ecosystems in the Florida Everglades and Laurentian Great Lakes.

Al has impeccable credentials in freshwater science and has been a thought leader on whatever he has studied but mostly notable on benthic algae, phosphorus dynamics, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. In addition, he has led in mentoring new generations of aquatic scientists.

About the Award

The SFS Award of Excellence is awarded to a single recipient for outstanding contributions to freshwater science. The scope of the award will reflect the broad interests and expertise exhibited in the Society. The award is not limited to members of the Society. Nominations of people from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to increase the diversity of SFS Awardees. Submit your nominations here.

Recipients