Research ⋅ Page 1

Office of the Provost’s Grant for Classroom Improvement Enhances Soils Lab Experience

Soils labs in the School of Natural Resources have been upgraded to prepare students to work in the lab and in the field. 

The School of Natural Resources soil science program was recently awarded a classroom improvement grant from the Office of the Provost. This grant was used to update soil sciences technology, increase available supplies and technology for soil science students, and generally improve soils lab conditions. With the grant, the soils program purchased a variety of updated lab equipment, more standard…

Biochemistry Students Accepted into MU School of Medicine Bryant Scholars Pre-Admissions Program

Aidan Dowdney and Luke Smith went from randomly assigned roommates freshman year to Bryant Scholars headed for medical school. 

When Aidan Dowdney was looking for colleges, he was thinking about more than a bachelor’s degree. “It’s good to look four years down the road, but what about 10 years down the road?” Dowdney said. “That works a lot better if your medical school and your undergrad work together. Mizzou was close to home and their medical school was excellent.”…

Q&A with First-Generation Student Lidia Myers

In honor of National First-Generation Student Week, Lidia Myers, senior plant science major from Fredericktown, Missouri, discusses her experience as a first-generation college student. 

Q: Why did you choose Mizzou? A: I chose to attend Mizzou for several reasons, such as the high graduation/employment rate of my program, the ample amount of funding through scholarships and grants, and research opportunities for undergrads. Q: Why CAFNR/your chosen major? A: I wanted to be a plant science student because it combines the most important things in…

Where Science and Agriculture Intersect: Life Sciences Quest 2023

Life Sciences Quest gave high schoolers from across Missouri the opportunity to preview CAFNR's scientific opportunities 

Life Sciences Quest 2023 was held July 9-13 in partnership with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to help high school students learn about the intersection of science careers and agriculture in our daily lives. Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors participated in University of Missouri research farm tours, hands-on lab activities, and professional panel discussions during the four-day camp.…

Enhancing Learning Opportunities

New funding brings state-of-the-art equipment to Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory

Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory (3-35 Agriculture Building). Plant sciences students have been able to benefit from the renovated space through a variety of courses and laboratory work.…

Finding the Perfect Degree

Memphis Bancroft said she has fallen in love with the food science and nutrition degree

When Memphis Bancroft made the decision to pursue a food science and nutrition degree at the University of Missouri she didn’t realize the real-world application of what she was studying would be so immediate. When Bancroft chose the degree program her mother was on a very restrictive diet due to a colon cancer diagnosis. “With the effects of surgery we…

A Tasty Experience

Food science and nutrition students spent the fall semester developing a variety of barbeque sauce flavors

A capstone course within the food science and nutrition degree program, the Food Product Development (F_S 4970) class allows students to integrate the various disciplines of food science to create new food products. Andrew Clarke, an associate professor, has taught the writing-intensive course for more than two decades – helping to lead students on a journey that begins with them…

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Nix

Nix will graduate with a degree in agricultural education

As a sophomore, Taylor Nix attended CAFNR’s Career Fair hoping to find an internship opportunity that would give her a chance to join a company within the agriculture industry. Nix found immediate success, serving as a practical farm research assistant for Becky’s Hybrids during the summer of 2020. It was her first exposure to research – something that she quickly…

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Brooke Weiler

Discovery Fellows program jumpstarted Brooke Weiler's interest in research

The Discovery Fellows program at the University of Missouri, offered through the Honors College, gives first-year students the opportunity to join a research laboratory the minute they step onto campus. For Brooke Weiler, the one-year scholarship has turned into a four-year research journey. Weiler, a senior majoring in both biochemistry and psychology, has found a passion for research while working…

Growing His Writing Portfolio

Joe Butler's job with Gardener's Path allows him to combine his two passions – plants and writing

Through numerous hands-on learning opportunities as a plant sciences major at the University of Missouri – and a variety of jobs and internships – Joe Butler gained valuable experiences that he knew would one day prepare him for the workforce. Those experiences showcased multiple industry options to Butler, who realized that he wanted to find a career where he could…