The Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI), formerly the Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, was created in 1967 and formally recognized by the UW Board of Regents in 1969. Its mission includes environmental research, environmental education, and public information for the Great Lakes Region.

Major research efforts have focused on biological monitoring (sampling, identification and analysis) of aquatic communities, ballast water treatment research, biodiesel fuel research, invasive species monitoring, and toxicity tests. These efforts have been focused in the Great Lakes and inland water bodies of the Upper Midwest.

Faculty and academic staff associated with the Institute possess expertise in chemistry, biology, toxicology, microbiology, geology, statistics, database management, data processing, computer programming, and GIS.

Personnel are active in publishing results, distributing data and customized software in various formats, and presenting research findings at scientific meetings and to various partners associated with LSRI.

LSRI maintains a 58-ft research vessel, an invertebrate taxonomy laboratory, chemical analyses lab,an aquatic animal culturing laboratory, aquatic toxicology testing lab, and a computer/data management center.

Many students at UW-Superior have participated in LSRI research projects as student research assistants, interns or temporary employees upon graduation.