School of Natural Resources

Zachary Leasor

Aug. 30, 2023

Zachary Leasor

Zack is an assistant professor in climate science within the School of Natural Resources. He also works as State Climatologist and director of the Missouri Climate Center. He serves on panels dealing with adverse weather conditions such as drought and flooding. He also works with the National Weather Service offices and regional climate services to provide climate data and prepare special summaries of significant weather and climate events.   Originally from Louisville, Ky., Zack spent the last several years living in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Missouri during the summer of 2023. Zack received a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, with a minor…
Robert Jacobson

Aug. 9, 2023

Robert B. Jacobson

Robb Jacobson pursues interdisciplinary research in river ecosystems with a focus on large-river ecology, endangered pallid sturgeon, invasive Asian carps, indicators of aquatic ecosystem integrity, and ecosystem services of large-river floodplains. His research efforts are directed toward decision-relevant information needs for management and restoration of large rivers, with an emphasis on the Missouri River. Current research projects include: transport dynamics of pallid sturgeon larvae in the Missouri River; assessments of large-river restoration strategies; evaluation of ecosystem services and resilience provided by levee setbacks; spatial distributions of flooding and flood damages on large, regulated rivers. Educational background Ph.D., 1986, The Johns…
An Asian man with short, dark hair and glasses wears a grey sweater with 3/4 button closures inside of a building wiht large windows and a staircase behind him. He stands with his hands clasped in front of him.

July 6, 2023

When science becomes humanitarian

Ukraine has long been one of the world’s top producers of grains like wheat, corn and barley, and produces half of the world’s sunflower oil, but Russia’s invasion and the war following have left the country’s agriculture industry with a litany of problems to overcome to continue serving as the world’s breadbasket. Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has mapped out eight areas in need of immediate assistance, and among them is pollution of farmland throughout the country.
A white woman with long, curly, blonde hair wears a pink blouse and smiles at the camera with a dark, rock wall in the background

June 12, 2023

An Unpredictable Path

Growing up, Atmospheric Sciences graduate student Sarah Weaver experienced three tornados. Now, through her PhD program at Mizzou, she is contributing to national hurricane forecasts, helping keep others safe from devastating severe weather and finding her career path.
A close-up of green pecans growing on a tree branch surrounded by green foliage.

May 26, 2023

MU Center for Agroforestry Hosts Education Events for Producers this Summer

This summer, the MU Center for Agroforestry will host three events aimed at helping those producing or interested in producing elderberry, nut trees and practicing agroforestry. Each event is designed to provide classroom and hands-on learning that will benefit both new and experienced growers. Comprehensive Elderberry Workshop and Orchard Tour Set for June 15-16 in Columbia, this workshop explores one of Missouri’s fastest-growing specialty crops — elderberry. The event is co-sponsored by River Hills Harvest. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about more than 20 topics from experienced growers; learn about orchard culture, marketing and processing; shop and sample…
Shibu Jose smiling.

May 15, 2023

Shibu Jose

Shibu Jose serves as the associate dean for research in CAFNR and as the director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Previously, he was the director of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He has also served as the H.E. Garrett Endowed Chair Professor and director of the Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri (2009-2017) and Professor of Forest Ecology at the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida (1998-2009) in the past. Jose received his bachelor’s degree from Kerala Agricultural University, India, and his master’s degree and doctorate degree from…

May 10, 2023

CAFNR Students Named Gilman Scholars

Allyson Sampson, senior in animal sciences; Dylan Stover, senior in agribusiness management and plant sciences; and Feather Teghtmeyer, senior in natural resource science and management; have received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Show Me Research Week

May 8, 2023

Four CAFNR Students Earn Recognition at Mizzou Show-Me Research Week

Nearly 500 University of Missouri students and postdoctoral fellows presented their research and creativity activity during the inaugural Show Me Research Week April 17-21. The week, which celebrated MU students as creators, innovators, problem solvers and thinkers, culminated with an Award and Recognition Ceremony held at the Bond Life Sciences Center. The following CAFNR students were recognized for their work during the ceremony, which also praised MU faculty for serving as mentors: Shagor Sarkar, Plant Science and Technology/Mentor: Jianfeng Zhou, second place in Engineering Grace Johnson, Plant Science and Technology/Mentor: Heike Buecking, second place in Life Sciences Olivia Bongiovi, School of…
Rotert

May 8, 2023

CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Danielle Rotert

Rotert is a senior graduating in May with a degree in environmental sciences
Portrait of man on green background

May 3, 2023

SNR Faculty Recognized for Top-Cited Paper

A paper by Ranjith Udawatta, research professor of soil, environmental and atmospheric sciences, “Grassland conversion to croplands impacted soil pore parameters measured via X-ray computed tomography,” was recently named a top-cited paper in Soil Science Society of America Journal. The recognition covers work published between January 2021 and December 2022.