Jennifer L. Morford

Jennifer L. Morford is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry at Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Since joining F&M she has built an internationally recognized research program in marine geochemistry while maintaining a deep commitment to undergraduate teaching and mentoring. She currently serves as Chemistry Councilor on the Committee on Undergraduate Research (2021-2024) and as Executive Secretary of the Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention (2018-present).

Education & Training

• B.S. Boston College
• Ph.D. University of Washington
• Postdoctoral Scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2000-2002)
• Postdoctoral Investigator, University of Washington (2000)

Research Interests

Morford’s research group investigates trace-metal cycling in marine environments, focusing on molybdenum (Mo), uranium (U) and rhenium (Re) behavior in sediments. By integrating careful laboratory experiments that synthesize single mineral phases with field-based observations, her work clarifies the environmental conditions that control trace-metal precipitation and retention. These findings are essential for accurately interpreting metal accumulation records in ocean sediments, enabling reconstructions of ancient ocean redox conditions, paleoclimates and the development of modern dead zones.

Research Themes & Approaches

• Experimental geochemistry and materials synthesis
• Application of isotope and trace-metal proxies
• Paleo-redox reconstructions from sedimentary archives
• Controls on Mo, U and Re authigenesis in sulfidic environments

Recent Publication Trends

Morford’s 2024-2025 papers emphasize robust proxy validation, global syntheses of low-oxygen proxies, and integration of nanomaterials research into undergraduate curricula. Earlier work systematically unraveled the influence of organic ligands, sulfide mineralogy and diagenetic processes on trace-metal sequestration, providing models now widely applied in paleoceanography.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry, Franklin & Marshall College (2022)
• Christian R. and Mary E. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching (2021)
• American Philosophical Society Franklin Research Grant (2017-2018)

Grants & Funding

• NSF Marine Geology & Geophysics: “RUI: Where does all the Mo go?” (2022-2025, Co-PI)
• NSF Sedimentary Geology & Paleobiology: U-isotope tracking of Paleozoic ocean redox (2017-2023, Co-PI)
• ACS Petroleum Research Fund: Mo incorporation into iron sulfides (2017-2022, PI)
• NSF Chemistry: Acquisition of low-voltage TEM for materials chemistry training (2017-2019, Co-PI)
• NSF Earth Sciences & ACS-PRF equipment and research grants (2004-2011)
• HHMI IE3 Learning Community Project Co-Director (2020-present)

Teaching & Mentorship

Morford teaches General Chemistry I & II, Chemical Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry in the News. Her research group has mentored more than two dozen undergraduate co-authors on peer-reviewed publications, providing intensive training in experimental design, materials synthesis and advanced characterization techniques.