Staff

Nate grew up in Michigan and received his doctorate in 2007 from the University of Michigan in the field of limnology (the study of freshwater lakes).  He has 18 peer-reviewed publications spanning research in the Great Lakes to smaller inland lakes and streams. Nate has been awarded the Chandler Misner Award twice by the International Association of Great Lakes Research which signifies the most notable journal article for that year – this is an award that many lake scientists strive for over their entire careers.  At Grace College, Nate is a professor in the environmental science program. He also has the privilege of leading the Lilly Center team and serving the local community.

In addition to nerdy science stuff, Nate loves to spend time with his wife and four kids enjoying water sports on local lakes, restful walks in nature, exploring caves in southern Indiana, or traveling to national parks and other scenic places around the United States. 

Matt grew up on a farm in western Pennsylvania and received his master’s of science from Kansas State University with a concentration in fisheries. His career includes time serving the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Manchester University, and Pennsylvania’s Warren County Conservation District. Matt strategizes major research efforts at the Lilly Center and analyzes data to present to the public. Despite resisting the call to have his own farm, his family now raises cows, chickens, and ducks on their homestead. Matt enjoys working with his hands and can’t wait to get home and work on the farm. He especially enjoys time with his wife and three kids fishing on the Tippecanoe River.

At heart, Rusty is a photographer and storyteller. His travels in Mexico, Japan, Dominican Republic, and across the United States have given him the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and tell their stories. At the Lilly Center, Rusty leads strategic communication and marketing efforts to advance the Lilly Center’s mission. Rusty’s interests include biking, reading while hammocking, and game nights with friends.

As a life-long learner, Jed enjoys the outdoors as much as the indoors. He frequently takes deep dives into topics like the world of microorganisms, or the inner workings of quantum physics. Jed is a 2019 Grace College graduate and a former member of the Lilly Center research team. He worked at Element Labs in Fort Wayne but decided to return to the Lilly Center as a full-time staff member in 2021. Among other tasks, Jed will run the research lab, guide the student research team, and monitor quality control processes.

Amy has worked at the Lilly Center since 2013; she’s one of the center’s longest-serving staff members (only our director has worked at the center longer). Amy currently serves as our development assistant, curating materials for and communicating regularly with our supporters. She serves those of you who make our work possible. You may have received a handwritten thank-you note from Amy or contacted her to RSVP for one of our summer social events. You can contact her with questions about making a gift, and if you’ve received a specific gift receipt or annual giving statement, it was Amy who helped with that!

Grace grew up in northern Indiana. She was always outside enjoying nature any way she could. By following her love for nature, Grace received a degree in environmental science and a master’s in nonprofit management from Grace College. By working at the Lilly Center as a student worker, she was able to find her passion for environmental education by teaching students and adults about nature. As lead education coordinator, Grace manages all aquariums housed in the science complex and in local classrooms. She also oversees the Lilly Center’s native landscaping, including the live wall, green roof, and native plants around the building. In her spare time, Grace enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and doing anything active.

Sarah was raised on a farm in Allen County. She grew up tending gardens, working in the fields and caring for animals, and she thrived in the rural atmosphere, free to fully enjoy the outdoors. As an adult, Sarah studied business management while running a small business and raising a large family. She earned several certificates along the way, including ones from Project Wet, Aquatic Wild, Hoosier Riverwatch, Indiana Master Naturalist, and an Environmental Education certificate from Cornell University. A life-long learner, Sarah has served as an environmental educator in communities throughout Kosciusko County for over four years.

In their spare time, Sarah and her husband enjoy camping and bike riding. They frequently watch sunsets over Lake Tippecanoe and run their tiny fishing boat along Grassy Creek to watch native wildlife.

Ariel’s passion for the outdoors began with her grandparents back in Pennsylvania. She grew up trekking outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and trapping. In school, she studied public history and enjoyed connecting her passion for the outdoors with natural history. While a student, she worked at Mounds State Park as an Interpretive Naturalist. During her time in the parks, she led interpretive programs and hikes that connected the community with its natural and cultural history. 

During her free time, you can find Ariel working in her flower gardens, mushroom hunting, kayaking, or watching Lord of the Rings. She also loves spending time with her family, cats, bunnies, pig, duck, and beagle.

Dr. Frentzel’s research picks up once the lakes and streams samples are brought back to the Grace campus.  In the research lab, Dr. Frentzel and his team of undergraduate researchers perform algae analysis using sophisticated microscope imaging of water samples.  Algae are identified based on structural and biochemical characteristics in order to estimate species assemblage, information critical to assessing the overall health of a lake.  Moreover, Dr. Frentzel’s group performs coliform testing of water samples, including quantifying E. coli bacteria levels, as an integral part of the continuous monitoring of the health and safety of our local waterways.

Dr. Frentzel is a member of: Phycological Society of America; Human Anatomy and Physiology Society; Indiana Academy of Sciences, and the American Chemical Society.