Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant | University of Illinois

Staff Directory

Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist

Sarah Zack

Sarah Zack is IISG’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) specialist. She works with Pat Charlebois, the program’s AIS coordinator, and is located at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. Sarah is responsible for outreach to recreational water users, including promoting the Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker Campaign as part of a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant. Additionally, with funding from National Sea Grant, Sarah is responsible for researching and developing AIS best management practices for tournament anglers.

Previously, Sarah was a biology instructor at Loyola University Chicago. Prior to that she worked as a wildlife biologist for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources where, among other things, she was integral in the chronic wasting disease program for the state. Sarah has a B.S. in zoology and biological conservation from University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.S. in biology with an emphasis on aquatic ecology from Loyola University Chicago.