Plant Science and Technology

A group of students pose in a soil pit.

April 24, 2025

MU Collegiate Soil Judging Team wins 4th place at national contest

The MU Soils Judging team placed 4th in a field of 16 at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference, held April 9-12 in Canyon, Texas.
A man in a white lab coat examines a corn plant leaf in a greenhouse

April 17, 2025

Bing Yang receives Mumford Award for Outstanding Faculty at 2025 Celebration of Excellence 

Bing Yang, Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, received CAFNR’s 2025 Mumford Award for Outstanding Faculty as part of the Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony April 17. 
Ava Kemper smiling.

April 17, 2025

Ava Kemper receives Outstanding Junior Award as part of 2025 Celebration of Excellence

Kemper is a plant sciences major.
Michelle Li smiling.

April 17, 2025

Michelle Li receives 2025 Outstanding Staff Award

Michelle Li, business support specialsit in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, has been selected for CAFNR’s 2025 Outstanding Staff Award. She was honored at CAFNR's annual awards ceremony, Celebration of Excellence, on Thursday, April 17.
A man with dark hair, brown eyes, and black-rimmed glasses in a black t-shirt with a Mizzou athletic tiger emblem on it stands in front of a public art sculpture in the bond Life Sciences building. He is smiling and leaning on a railing

April 17, 2025

David Mendoza-Cozatl receives the Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award as part of 2025 Celebration of Excellence

David Mendoza-Cozatl, associate professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, is the recipient of CAFNR’s 2025 Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award.    Mendoza-Cozatl is a world-leading expert in plant metal nutrient acquisition and detoxification, with a focus on enhancing food security through biofortification. He has secured nearly $8 million in federal funding and leads numerous collaborative research projects across institutions, including international partnerships in South Africa.   David Mendoza-Cozatl Mendoza-Cozatl has published 54 peer-reviewed papers, holds an h-index of 29, and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, such as the NSF CAREER Award, PEW Innovation Fund Investigator and MU…
Allen and Melissa Niedermann, holding a photo of themselves from 2001, during their time at Mizzou.

April 3, 2025

Love in the Lab

Allen and Melissa Niedermann met in an entomology lab in 1998 and now two of their children attend Mizzou as legacies, one of whom inherited their love of entomology.
Felix Fritschi

April 2, 2025

Felix Fritschi named AAAS Fellow in recognition of contributions to field of crop physiology

Felix Fritschi, the C. Alice Donaldson Professor in CAFNR’s Division of Plant Science and Technology and interim director of the Missouri Soybean Center, is among four University of Missouri researchers recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as 2024 Fellows for their distinguished efforts in advancing various fields of science. Felix Fritschi These researchers push the boundaries of science to drive breakthroughs that transform lives. Their relentless curiosity fuels discoveries that shape the future of Missouri and beyond. “I am incredibly proud of Dr. Fritschi in receiving this fitting honor and humbled to work alongside scientists…
Students posing in a group.

March 31, 2025

Plant sciences students see success at National Collegiate Landscape Competition

The University of Missouri Collegiate Landscaping Team received 15th place out of 54 schools attending the National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Colorado State University, March 19-22.
Students pose with awards.

March 31, 2025

CAFNR students earn awards at Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists

Biochemistry and plant sciences students attended the Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists meeting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, March 21-23, and competed in both oral and poster presentation competitions.
Xiaoping Xin.

March 31, 2025

Xiaoping Xin

Dr. Xin’s research focuses on soil biogeochemistry processes, climate-resilient soil management, soil remediation, soil-plant interactions, crop production, precision agriculture, nanotechnology-enabled agriculture, and environmental risk assessment. She is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical agricultural applications, aiming to lead innovative studies in soil fertility and plant nutrition that enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in Missouri and beyond. Educational background Ph.D., University of Florida, 2020 Ph.D., Southwest University, China, 2017 B.S., Northwest A&F University, China, 2012 Courses taught Soil and the Environment (SOIL 3290) Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (SOIL 4313/7313) Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Lab…