Dr. Timothy Fisher, Indiana University Northwest department of geosciences was recently awarded a $250,000 4 year research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant will go toward the study the northwest and south outlets of glacial Lake Agassiz in Saskatchewan, Canada. 

“The objectives of this research are to constrain the spatial extent and chronology of the northwest outlet of glacial Lake Agassiz, and to determine its temporal relationships with the southern outlet and climate change,” says Fisher.
Lake Agassiz served a pivotal role in controlling the release of cold glacial meltwater from 12,000 to 8,000 BP. 

According to Fisher, the research is significant because scientists in earth, atmospheric and oceanic sciences rely on the history of the lake as baseline information for their research – including the prediction of future climate change. 

Fisher is a resident of Valparaiso and associate professor at IU Northwest. Formally an art major in college, Fisher realized his love for the earth as a mountain climber and after taking a course in geology while at school. After changing his major to geology, Fisher received a B.S. in physical geography from the University of Alberta, a MS in glacial sedimentology from Queens University and a Ph.D. in Geomorphology, Glaciology and Quaternary Reconstruction from the University of Calgary.

More information on the Lake Agassiz grant or the department of geosciences is available by contacting Fisher at 219-980-7122.