Faculty
Sep. 2, 2019
Thomas J. Reilly, PhD
Educational background Ph.D. Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign B.S. Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign…
Sep. 2, 2019
Michael J. Petris
The micronutrient copper (Cu) is essential for several key enzymatic processes involved in energy generation, protection against reactive oxygen species, formation of blood vessels, immune function, and healthy functioning of the central nervous system. This nutrient is able to exist in two oxidation states Cu1+ and Cu2+, and participate in the generation of reactive oxygen species. A delicate balance of copper homeostasis must be maintained to provide sufficient levels of this nutrient, while preventing toxic build up. Copper and Cancer Recent evidence suggests that copper plays a key role in tumor growth because this metal is essential for blood…
Sep. 2, 2019
Brian Mooney
I am particularly interested in protocol and technology development for proteomics and mass spectrometry. We use mass spectrometry for protein identification, protein/peptide quantitation, and mapping sites of post-translational modifications and protein-protein interactions. Metastable Crystallins: Structure and stabilization (NEI-NIH award R01EY023219) Cataract and a host of other diseases result from abnormal interaction of proteins in the cells. The goals of this research are to understand lens protein aggregation in cataract formation and to develop and test lens protein alpha-crystallin-derived peptide as active mini-chaperones capable of suppressing protein aggregation. Understanding the structural changes in mutant proteins associated with cataract can help…
Sep. 2, 2019
Zhentian Lei
My research interests center on metabolomics and its application in biological and biochemical research. Specifically, I am interested in developing mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics protocol and technology, and applying the techniques in profiling changes of metabolism in animals, plants and microbes in response to genetic and/or environmental disturbances. Metabolomics is the systematic identification and quantification of the cellular metabolites (or small-molecules) using advanced technologies combined with multivariate statistical methods for data interpretation. These advanced technologies include high resolution mass spectrometry coupled to gas chromatograph (GC-MS) or ultrahigh performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC-MS), LC-MS-SPE (solid phase extraction)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). Educational background…
Sep. 2, 2019
Xiaoqin Zou
The molecular interactions that drive ligand-protein binding are a key to quantitatively understanding the basis of molecular recognition and to designing therapeutic interventions through rational drug design. Drug molecules usually act by binding to specific target proteins. Drug candidates that have high binding affinities can be identified by their geometric and chemical complementarity to the target in a process analogous to solving a “jigsaw puzzle”, if the target structure is known. An energy model that can give rapid and accurate evaluation of the molecular interaction strength is thus essential for selecting plausible candidate compounds from a chemical database consisting of…
July 16, 2019
Mallory Lynn Rahe
Mallory Rahe is an associate extension professor at the University of Missouri. She approaches her work in the area of regional and agricultural economic development with an emphasis on assisting producers or stakeholders that are engaging in on-farm investments or considering public investment options. She provides applied research, data analysis and trends, and supports strategic decision making. She has worked on a variety of value-added industry studies, studied farmers market vendor sales and retention, rural population migration and retention, and implemented a regional rural wealth creation program. Her research is often undertaken collaboratively with partner organizations. Educational background Ph.D. University…
July 16, 2019
Samniqueka Joi-Weaver Halsey
Educational background Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 2019 MBA, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 2020 M.S., Chicago State University, 2013 B.S., Northeastern Illinois University, 2011 Courses taught F_W 4600WI/7600: Ecosystem Management NAT_R 4110/7110: Natural Resource Biometrics F_W 4810: Wildlife Disease Ecology NAT_R 8200: Ecological Restoration…
April 4, 2019
Kiruba Krishnaswamy
Krishnaswamy is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri, Columbia. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and the Division of Food, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences. Her research program Food Engineering and Sustainable Technologies integrates convergence sciences with engineering principles to address the interconnected challenges of food and nutrition security. She uses a circular food systems approach to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Krishnaswamy obtained her B.Tech. in Food Process Engineering from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. She obtained the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship for her graduate…
April 1, 2019
Lupita Fabregas
Dr. Fabregas has conducted research on program development, inclusion, intercultural competence, and diversity. Dr. Fabregas is a national and international speaker in topics related to diversity and inclusion; former Chair of the 4-H National Council Latino Advisory Committee; and founder of the Epsilon Sigma Phi Latino Affinity Group, along with other organizations that support the mission of the land-grant universities by ensuring, equity, inclusion and full participation of youth, families and communities in the benefits and leadership of Cooperative Extension. Educational background Ph.D., Agricultural Education, Oklahoma State University, 2009M Ed, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, 1999B.S., Agriculture and Animal…
March 20, 2019
Ahmed Balboula
Dr. Balboula conducted his Ph.D. research in Japan (funded by Egypt-Japan Ph.D. Joint Supervision Program) and his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. Dr. Balboula joined the University of Cambridge in the UK as a Marie Curie Fellow before starting his independent laboratory at the University of Missouri in 2019. Research conducted in the Balboula laboratory employs cutting-edge imaging technologies, transgenic mouse models and genetic approaches to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian oocyte meiosis and early embryonic development. Dr. Balboula has been recognized with several research awards, including the 2023 SSR Virendra B. Mahesh New…