A leading climate researcher from the University of Windsor has earned international recognition for groundbreaking research on ice loss across the Great Lakes and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Michael McKay, director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) and professor at the university’s School of the Environment, was named a 2026 laureate of the Daylight Award for Research for his work examining how climate change is reshaping light conditions beneath the lakes’ ice cover.
McKay’s research focuses on how disappearing ice changes underwater ecosystems. As ice melts, stronger wind and water movement disturb sediments beneath the lakes, clouding the water and reducing sunlight penetration. This loss of light threatens microscopic organisms at the base of the food chain that rely on photosynthesis to survive.
“Without daylight, we wouldn’t have life on Earth as we know it,” McKay said. “These are organisms upon which all other life on Earth depends. They are small but they are mighty.”
The award was presented by the Daylight Academy on May 16, recognized globally as the International Day of Light by UNESCO. McKay shared the honor with collaborators Brittany N. Zepernick and Steven W. Wilhelm for their collective research on how daylight affects photosynthetic algae amid climate-driven ice loss.
Their findings highlight the critical role light plays in diatom growth, parasite interactions, and monitoring toxic algal blooms through optical and remote sensing technologies. Researchers say the shrinking ice cover is not just an environmental concern but also a direct threat to habitats that support microscopic winter ecosystems essential to the broader food web.
“Receiving the Daylight Award 2026 came as a wonderful and unexpected surprise for our team,” McKay said. “This recognition underscores the global importance of the Great Lakes, both as a vital ecosystem supporting nearly 40 million people and as a proxy for north temperate lakes and ice-covered coastal ecosystems worldwide.”
The Daylight Award recognizes contributions in research and practice that deepen understanding of daylight’s impact on human life and ecosystems. McKay’s team received the honor in the research category, along with a $160,000 prize. The official award ceremony is scheduled for May 27 in Copenhagen.
Dr. Shanthi Johnson, vice-president of research and innovation at UWindsor, praised the team’s achievement, calling McKay’s work globally significant for biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience.