Lian started working with Friends of the Rouge in the fall of 2023 as a researcher through a collaboration between Friends of the Rouge and the University of Michigan. Her work aims to model the invasive Round Goby expansion upstream in the Lower Rouge River. Additionally, she is a Marshall Weinberg Intern for the 2024 summer, where she will be assisting in the fish surveys.
She is currently working toward her Master of Science at the University of Michigan. Her thesis relies on data collected by Friends of the Rouge and looks at Round Goby ecology and their interactions with native fishes.
Lian was born in Yang Zhou, China, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She originally came to the University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree in 2019. Growing up next to the Mississippi River, she gained an appreciation for the hydrologic cycle and water management. Since living in Ann Arbor, she has become extremely passionate about the conservation and restoration of Michigan lakes and streams. She looks forward to learning more about the Rouge River and the restoration efforts that take place there.
Lian currently lives in Ann Arbor with her partner and their cat, Shimmer. She enjoys spending time outdoors, fiber arts, cooking, and gardening. Her favorite Michigan fish is the Johnny Darter.