Central Michigan University is returning to Beaver Island this summer to conduct freshwater research.
The Great Lakes Research Experiences for Undergraduates program took a pause last summer due to uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, biology students will return to Beaver island to conduct hands-on freshwater research with CMU faculty members again.
Dr. Don Uzarski is the director of the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island. He said in the field of biology, research experience is an important study before making the next step.
In previous years, the ten week program would begin on the main-campus for two weeks to train and prepare students. This year, the training and preparation period will take place virtually for four weeks.
Students will have six weeks to develop and conduct the research projects on Lake Michigan.
“I think this year, they’re even more excited,” Uzarski said. “People have been pent up with the vaccines available and people getting vaccinated, everyone’s got hope and I think they’re looking forward to it.”
He said the station will follow the same COVID-19 precautions as CMU’s main-campus.
Funding for the program comes from the National Science Foundation and the College of Science and Engineering at CMU.
