Plant Science and Technology

Soybean plants grow in a field

Feb. 11, 2025

CAFNR researchers develop new genetic defense against costly soybean pest

Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) cost American farmers an estimated $2 billion in yield losses each year. Since the pest’s discovery in 1954, plant scientists have worked to combat its destructive impact. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are on the verge of a breakthrough in SCN resistance technology. “We are at the point now where we have a gene identified that we believe contains a new resistance to SCN, and, hopefully, this will lead to a new breakthrough,” said Sushil Chhapekar, post-doctoral fellow in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Division of Plant Science and Technology. Sushil…
Gurbir Singh

Feb. 5, 2025

Plant Sciences and Technology faculty member recognized for early career contributions by Universities Council on Water Resources

Gurbir Singh, assistant professor and state Extension specialist in soil science, agroecology and landscape management, was recently named as the recipient of the 2025 Early Career Award for Extension, Outreach and Engagement by the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR). Gurbir Singh The UCOWR Early Career Award for Extension, Outreach, Engagement recognizes outstanding early contributions through extension, outreach and engagement activities related to water. Awardees have a significant record of accomplishment in these areas and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition. Singh will be recognized at an awards luncheon during the UCOWR annual conference in June.
fabric in a yellow dye bath

Jan. 31, 2025

CAFNR plant scientist’s curiosity sparks global collaboration for sustainable fashion

A spark of curiosity about sustainable materials has taken Jaime Barros-Rios, a Mizzou plant scientist, far beyond his usual work with model plants, soybeans, and corn. Today, he’s collaborating with a marine biologist and a New York City fashion innovator on a project that could revolutionize working conditions and sustainability in the global textile industry. Barros-Rios’s journey began at Scialog, a unique interdisciplinary conference organized by the Research Corporation for Science and Advancement. The conference name — a combination of “science” and “dialog” — reflects its mission: bringing together scientists from different fields to foster collaboration on innovative solutions. Jaime…

Dec. 6, 2024

Plant Science and Technology professor named American Society of Agronomy 2024 Fellow

Fellow is the highest recognition bestowed by the American Society of Agronomy.
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

Dec. 6, 2024

Plant Science and Technology faculty member receives International Engagement Award -Outstanding Faculty Contribution

David Mendoza-Cozatl, associate professor in the MU Division of Plant Science and Technology, was named recipient of a 2024 MU International Engagement Award by MU International Programs. The MU International Engagement Awards recognize the outstanding work carried out by faculty, staff and students to internationalize the University of Missouri. The awards recognize meaningful and sustained commitments to international work, whether directly on campus or brought back to the campus from an engagement abroad. In order to demonstrate their effect upon internationalizing the campus, nominees must clearly indicate the concrete impact made upon scholarship, students or MU programs by their international work. Mendoza-Cozatl is a…
Jafar Tanin stands with arms outstretched in front of a field planted with wheat.

Dec. 2, 2024

MU scholar breathes new life into wheat breeding program

With wheat planting on the rise, visiting scholar Jafar Tanin is revitalizing Mizzou’s wheat breeding efforts for Missouri growers.

Dec. 2, 2024

Dalton Ludwick
David (Dave) Kang smiling.

Dec. 2, 2024

David (Dave) Kang

The Kang Laboratory has a broad interest in the mechanisms that underlie animal-microbiome interactions, with a primary goal of applying this knowledge to control insect pests. We employ a suite of molecular, genetic, ecological, and computational approaches to study how microbes influence the performance of the insect host. Further, we are interested in how the environment interacts with insect genomes to influence their physiological processes and phenotypes. This thinking extends to consideration of how the host serves as an environment for associated microbes. We explore how complex microbial communities and insect hosts influence each other, what factors mediate these…
A student looks at a wine glass.

Nov. 20, 2024

Cheers to learning

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

Nov. 12, 2024

Celebrating our distinguished alumni: CAFNR Column Awards 2024

From left to right: David Larsen, Jonathan Dyer, Blake Hurst, Joel Spencer and Julian Lenis. Not pictured: Kendra Kattelmann. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources honored six recipients with the 2024 CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni. This is the only award specifically for alumni presented by the college – the highest honor bestowed by the College in celebration of outstanding alumni. The awardee class includes one graduate from each of CAFNR’s six divisions, reflecting the six historic columns at the University of Missouri. View the event photo album. School of Natural ResourcesDavid LarsenB.S. Forestry ’78, M.S.