Stories

A student plays the pH Elevator game.

Nov. 14, 2025

Provost Student Success Grant provides gamified study materials for biochemistry students

A Provost Student Success Grant has paved the way for a partnership between CAFNR’s Division of Biochemistry and on-campus game studio, Adroit Studios, to develop learning and study aids for biochemistry students. The collaboration was spearheaded by Steven VanDoren, professor of biochemistry; Director of Adroit Studios Joe Griffin; and game designer Erin Weaver.
CAFNR Column Award 2025 winners

Nov. 7, 2025

2025 Column Awards recognize outstanding CAFNR alumni

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources honored six recipients with the 2025 CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni at an event Thursday, Nov. 6. 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. 
Alison Rutledge with her Biochemistry Freshmen Interest Group class

Oct. 22, 2025

Advisor Alison Rutledge honored with Golden Apple Award

Alison Rutledge, senior academic advisor in the Division of Biochemistry, was surprised with the CAFNR Golden Apple Award Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Adam Yokom listens and holds the Golden Aple

Oct. 15, 2025

Adam Yokom, assistant professor of Biochemistry, receives Golden Apple Award

Adam Yokom, assistant professor of Biochemistry, received the CAFNR Golden Apple Award Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in a surprise ceremony led by Bryan Garton, senior associate dean and director of academic programs; Michael Chapman, director of the Division of Biochemistry; and many colleagues.
CAFNR Research Council members talk to a poster exhibitor.

Oct. 14, 2025

CAFNR Research Council announces 2025 symposium poster session winners

The fifth annual CAFNR Research Symposium was held Wednesday, Oct. 1, and included two poster sessions. Undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdocs contributed posters; winners were selected by peers as well as the CAFNR Research Council.
Nigel Turner smiling.

July 29, 2025

Q&A with Summer Welcome Leader Nigel Turner Jr.

Nigel Turner Jr., a sophomore from Raytown, Missouri, majoring in biochemistry, served as a Summer Welcome Leader.
A student in a lab.

July 22, 2025

CAFNR Students Selected for Honors College 2025 Cherng Summer Scholars Program

The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing.
Pennycress

July 14, 2025

CAFNR researchers engineer plants for optimal biofuel production

Arabidopsis may seem like a simple plant, but at the University of Missouri, plant biochemist Jay Thelen is using it as a powerful model to explore ways to boost oil production — an important step toward creating more sustainable, plant-based energy sources.
Mackenna Rodgers posing.

July 9, 2025

Recent CAFNR graduate selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Mackenna Rodgers (B.S. Biochemistry ’25) was selected to participate in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
A student working in a lab.

July 9, 2025

Biochemistry student wins American Association for Cancer Research Undergraduate Scholar Award

Blake Arciga, senior biochemistry major, was awarded the American Association for Cancer Research Undergraduate Scholar Award for his work in Satyanarayana Rachagani’s veterinary medicine and surgery lab.