Animal Sciences

May 21, 2021

CAFNR Faculty, Staff and Students Earn MU Graduate and Postdoctoral Awards

Numerous CAFNR faculty, staff and students were recently honored during the seventh annual MU Graduate and Postdoctoral Award ceremony.
Bryon Wiegand was recently named the director of the Division of Animal Sciences. Wiegand first joined Mizzou as an associate professor in 2007 and has served as a professor in the division since 2015, with assignments in teaching, research and Extension. He was named the associate division director in 2019. Photo courtesy of Bryon Wiegand.

May 14, 2021

A Humbling Opportunity

As an alum of the University of Missouri, Bryon Wiegand has worked at his alma mater since 2007, in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences. Wiegand first joined Mizzou as an associate professor and has served as a professor in the division since 2015, with assignments in teaching, research and Extension. He was named the associate division director in 2019 – and was recently tapped as the director of the Division of Animal Sciences. The new role is effective Saturday, May 15. “As a Mizzou alum, I am humbled to have the opportunity…

May 10, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Maria Kemerling

Maria Kemerling began cheering in 2010 – and knew she was going to love being on the sidelines as a Mizzou cheerleader when she first stepped on the University of Missouri campus as a freshman in 2017. Now, as Kemerling heads toward graduation, she has numerous game-day experiences at Faurot Field and Mizzou Arena under her belt, as well as three trips to the National Cheerleaders Association’s (NCA) national competition. She has learned how to balance a demanding athletic schedule with her schoolwork as a student in animal sciences. “Mizzou Cheer has been a huge part of my college experience…
Brune- spotlight

May 10, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Emily Brune

Brune will graduate with a degree in agricultural education.
Portrait of Michael Smith

May 3, 2021

Michael F. Smith Named Honorary Member of the CAFNR Alumni Association

Michael F. Smith, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, has been named an Honorary Member of the CAFNR Alumni Association as part of their 2021 awards celebration.
Al Kennett at Show-Me-Select event

May 3, 2021

Al Kennett Honored With True Tiger Volunteer Award From CAFNR Alumni Association

Al Kennett, New London, Mo., has received the 2021 True Tiger Award, given each spring by the CAFNR Alumni Association.

April 7, 2021

CAFNR Announces Dissertation Research Improvement Grantees

The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Office of Research recently announced its inaugural award winners of the CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG). Each grant is worth up to $2,000 to support or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College. Proposals were evaluated by the CAFNR Research Council, an advisory body that advises the CAFNR Office of Research and is made up of representatives from each division in the College. Student: Pawan Basnet (Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences) Advisor: Andrew Scaboo (Assistant Professor, Division of Plant Sciences) Development…
Jared Decker

Feb. 22, 2021

Jared Decker Part of Ag Innovation Panel Discussion

Decker is an associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences.

Feb. 22, 2021

Students Earn Honors During Animal Sciences Graduate Forum

The Division of Animal Sciences held its Animal Sciences Graduate Forum virtually in January. There were a total of 20 oral presentations and 19 poster presentations, as nearly all Animal Sciences graduate students participated. Along with numerous presentations, the division recognized 2020 MS and PhD graduates. Below are the winners for each category. MS Oral Presentation First: Amanda Schmelzle Second: Maddie Spooner Third: Destiny Johns Honorable Mention: Alana Rodney PhD Oral Presentation First: Sara Nilson Second: Paula Chen and Jason Rizo Third: Colby Redifer MS Poster Presentation First: Kelsey Clark Second:…

Jan. 27, 2021

Roberts, Spencer Named Society for the Study of Reproduction Distinguished Fellows

Two University of Missouri faculty were among 15 individuals recently named Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) Distinguished Fellows. R. Michael Roberts, Chancellor’s Professor with appointments in animal sciences and biochemistry, and Thomas Spencer, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, were both honored. This is the inaugural year of the program. From the SSR press release about the Distinguished Fellowship honor: The SSR Distinguished Fellowship is one of the highest professional scientific honors awarded for outstanding contributions to the scientific discipline of reproductive biology. The SSR Distinguished Fellowship recognizes the impact of active SSR members and their outstanding contributions…