Longtime U-M Biological Station Algae instructor Rex Lowe is the recipient today of the Phycological Society of America’s 2014 Award of Excellence. The award recognizes scientists “who have demonstrated sustained scholarly contributions in and impact on the field of phycology over their careers.”

With more than 100 publications to his name, an advising roster of 60+ graduate students, and 4 distinguished teaching awards, Lowe is clearly deserving of the award. He has been a regular instructor of Algae in Freshwater Ecosystems at UMBS since 1974. He has a cult following among many former students. In 2006, the Station honored him with “Rex Fest,” for which more than 40 alumni not only returned to camp but ordered groupie t-shirts.

Although Lowe has retired from teaching at Bowling Green State University, he remains active with research. In the past year he has gone to India with colleague and fellow Algae instructor Pat Kociolek to sample algae in the Western Ghats and returned to Hawaii as part of his continuing studies there.

He will be returning to Douglas Lake in June to teach Algae to a new crop of fortunate students.