Dear Alumni and Friends,

Welcome to the Fall semester. I am delighted to share with you some of the remarkable achievements in 2024 from the Division of Plant Science and Technology (DPST). Our faculty and staff continue to provide learning and leadership opportunities for our students in classrooms, research laboratories, field, and international settings. Our mission is to keep students on track towards graduation, and to provide them with high quality education and the foundation for life-long career success. Read more >>

Enns Entomological Museum hosted Open House to celebrate 150th anniversary last fall.

Soyon Park is testing a novel method for genome editing using parasitic plants.

Mizzou plant scientists identify a new gene that could strengthen soybean crops from mounting SCN resistance.

Mizzou researchers are getting a drone’s-eye view of corn stalks to help farmers better manage their crops through precision agriculture.

The University of Missouri study reveals that soybeans use a natural targeted cooling mechanism to protect reproduction under tough weather conditions.

Jaime Barros-Rios joins forces with marine biologist, fashion innovator to develop plant-based textile dyes, aiming to improve sustainability, working conditions worldwide.

Learn more about and see more photos from recent awards to Michelle Brooks and Jeff Barizon.

For Rob Myers, preparing farmers for a productive future is a top priority. With over $40 million in funding, his center is transforming farming techniques in Missouri and beyond.

Researchers believe the method could be modified for other crops such as corn and beans.

With wheat planting on the rise, visiting scholar Jafar Tanin is revitalizing Mizzou’s wheat breeding efforts to boost yields, disease resistance, drought tolerance and nutrition for Missouri growers and consumers.

The Joro spider, a colorful orb weaver from Asia, is slowly making its way northward and is likely to invade Missouri soon.

Advanced research tools help explore plant cell function and develop sustainable solutions for energy production.

Gary Stacey receives prestigious Stephen Hales Prize.

Bing Yang ran a two-week workshop on genome editing in plants as part of his international award.

Plant Science & Technology welcomes new faculty members

Felix Fritschi and Ron Mittler named AAAS fellows for recognition of contributions to their fields

Felix Fritschi elected President of Crop Science Society of America

Walter Gassmann received 2024 Noel T. Keen award from American Phytopathological Society

Kelly Nelson named American Society of Agronomy 2024 Fellow

Bing Yang named Curators’ Distinguished Professor, fellow of the American Phytopathological Society

Rob Myers named to Soil Health Institute board of directors, recognized with Soil and Water Conservation Society Fellowship

The Floral Artistry and Management Certificate and the newly implemented Landscape Design Certificate allow students within plant sciences to increase their niche knowledge, in addition to welcoming students outside of the program to explore the exciting world of plant sciences.

The Certificate in Landscape Design provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as designers within the Landscape Design/Build industry. Coursework provides the students with the hands-on design and landscape project management skills utilized within the landscape industry. This includes basic plant growth requirements, a thorough understanding of preexisting project site conditions, basic landscape design practices and principles, design and implementation requirements for specific and complex landscape systems, knowledge in the use of prevalent design and graphic software applications, and improved methods to convey design concepts to potential landscape clients. Students within this certificate program also have the opportunity to showcase their skills at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition. In 2024, Mizzou’s first time participating, three students placed in the top 20 in one or more categories. See more. The 2025 team placed 15th out of 54 schools nationwide. See more. Students have even received job offers at this competition.

This online Floral Artistry and Management certificate gives students the knowledge and skills necessary for employment within the floral industry. Coursework gives students the hands-on design and business management skills used in the floral industry. This includes basic, advanced and seasonal floral design skills while emphasizing branding and marketing skills. Students in our Floral Design program had the opportunity to work with French artist Frederic Dupre to create one-of-a-kind dresses made from fresh and dried flowers. The custom floral designs were created for the Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection’s Golden Gala fundraiser in April 2024. See more.

Mizzou Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers placed second at the 2025 AIFD National Symposium. Read more.

Torq’N Tigers team took third place at the 2025 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. See more.

Student Demi White was selected as MizzouForward Undergraduate Research Training Grant recipient. She is now conducting an independent research project under the mentorship of Assistant Professor So-Yon Park. Read more.

Kenny Henk, junior plant sciences major from Wentzville, Missouri, received the 2024 U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Henk used this scholarship to study abroad in New Zealand during the Spring 2024 Semester. See more.

Two plant sciences students received awards in the Show-Me Research Week’s Advanced Light Microscopy Core Image Contest, including Donielle Brottlund (Fritschi Lab) and Lydia Phillips (Park Lab). See more.

Biochemistry and plant sciences students attended the Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists meeting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, March 21-23. Two plant sciences students placed in the top two in poster and oral presentations. See more.

Ava Kemper received the Outstanding Junior Award at the annual CAFNR Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony in April 2024. See more.

In Katherine Hagely’s Grapes and Wines of the World class, students explore agriculture, history, geography and culture through rosé-colored glasses.

Holmes graduated in May 2024 with a degree in plant science and technology.

Gutz graduated in May 2024 with degrees in agricultural systems management and agribusiness management.

Leah Gastonguay, a doctoral student in the Division of Plant Science & Technology, studies promoting beneficial insects in cropping systems.

Abby Tobben (BS, Agricultural Systems Technology ’23) and Drew Drummond (BS, Agricultural Systems Technology ’23) are in the field and directly applying cutting-edge curriculum from their AST degrees.

Allen and Melissa Niedermann met in an entomology lab in 1998 and now two of their children attend Mizzou as legacies – one even inherited their love of entomology.

Julian Lenis recognized with top CAFNR alumni honor from Division of Plant Science & Technology.

Drake Minear (B.S. Agricultural Systems Management '18) and his wife Kaylee (Michael) Minear (B.S. Elementary Education '18) graduated from Mizzou and returned to the farm.

Mandy Bish was recognized with the Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty this spring. This award recognizes faculty with a current extension assignment who have made exceptional accomplishments in their first four years of service to MU in the field of extension or continuing education. See more.

David Mendoza-Cozatl received the 2024 MU International Engagement Award from MU International Programs. The award recognizes meaningful and sustained commitments to international work, whether directly on campus or brought back to the campus from an engagement abroad. See more. In addition, he was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Research & Creative Activity in the Biological Sciences (see more) and received the Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award (see more) in 2025.

Rob Myers was recognized by the UM System with the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship Award. The Fellowship Award recognizes a University of Missouri System faculty member who demonstrates commitment, dedication and effectiveness in advancing the land-grant mission through extension, international education and agricultural economics programs.  See more.

Henry Nguyen was named to the Borlaug Training Foundation Board of Directors. The Borlaug Training Foundation (BTF) is an independent, non-profit corporation, established to facilitate cutting-edge agronomic education and skills development under dynamic technological and climate-change scenarios for young scientists from low-and middle-income countries. See more.

Sam Polly and Daniel Sjarpe were recognized for their outstanding work in pesticide safety education by the American Society of Pesticide Safety Educators. They received the Professional Recognition Award for 2024, recognizing members who have enhanced public health and the environment through their efforts in pesticide safety education or application certification. See more.

Gurbir Singh was named recipient of the 2025 Early Career Award for Extension, Outreach and Engagement by the Universities Council on Water Resources. Awardees have a significant record of accomplishment in these areas and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition. See more.

CAFNR’s annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony recognized plant science and technology students, faculty and staff, including:

• Bing Yang, Mumford Award for Outstanding Faculty
• Michelle Li, Outstanding Staff Award
• David Mendoza-Cozatl, Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award