CMU spotlight: Morgan Jowett’s McNair journey in research and discovery

For Central Michigan University student Morgan Jowett, the McNair Scholars Program has been a transformative chapter in her academic journey, opening doors she never knew existed and giving her the tools to pursue research at the highest levels.

“Being a McNair scholar has helped me insurmountably when it comes to navigating how to conduct a research project, graduate school applications, and presenting research,” Jowett said. “The program made me aware of opportunities I never knew existed and made the gargantuan task of applying for graduate school much more manageable.”

This past summer, Jowett took part in the McNair Summer Research Institute, where she conducted hands-on research under the guidance of CMU faculty. The experience, fully funded through McNair, allowed her to focus entirely on her work while gaining valuable mentorship and real-world research experience.

One highlight of her journey has been her work in Dr. Anthony Chappaz’s lab, where Jowett is exploring the element rhenium as a potential paleo-redox proxy. By analyzing sediment cores from the Middle Island Sinkhole in Lake Huron, she hopes to better understand ancient ocean conditions and even past climate patterns.

“This research can tell us about the environment and possibly the climate conditions that were occurring within ancient oceans,” she explained. “Rhenium still needs to be refined as a proxy, since chemical interactions in sediments are incredibly complex, but that’s what makes this research exciting.”

Her work involves carefully separating sediment samples centimeter by centimeter, measuring water and organic carbon content, and analyzing trace elements with advanced lab equipment. The process is meticulous, often requiring adaptations when methods or machines don’t go as planned. Yet, Jowett says these challenges have taught her resilience and the patience required for scientific research.

Beyond her work in the lab, Jowett sees the broader impact of programs like McNair. As part of the federal TRIO initiative, McNair supports first-generation and underrepresented students in pursuing higher education and research, guidance that Jowett says has been life-changing.

“This program has been an incredible experience,” she said. “It’s given me the confidence, skills, and mentorship to pursue graduate school and research opportunities I never imagined. Programs like McNair are so important, and I hope future students have the same chance I’ve had to grow through them.”

For Jowett, McNair has been more than just a research program, it has been a launching pad for her future, a space to explore her passions, and a community of support that she hopes will continue for generations of CMU students to come.