Stories

agriculture building with flowers blooming

May 15, 2026

Mizzou plant scientists named to list of leading researchers in U.S., world

Four scientists at the University of Missouri are ranked in the top 100 in the United States as part of Research.com's fifth annual ranking of the leading scientists in plant science and agronomy.

Agriculture Building

May 13, 2026

CAFNR announces 2026 awardees of dissertation grants

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Office of Research offers the CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) of up to $2,000 to support or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College.

May 12, 2026

CAFNR professor receives Provost’s Award for University Citizenship in Leadership 

Walter Gassman, a professor of plant science and technology, received the 2026 award.

May 12, 2026

CAFNR assistant extension professor receives Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty

Peng Tian, an assistant extension professor with CAFNR, received the 2026 award.

May 12, 2026

CAFNR assistant teaching professor honored with Kathleen and Robert Unrath Excellence in Visionary Teaching Award 

Lesleighan Cravens, an assistant teaching professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, received the 2026 award.

Debbie Finke smiles in front of a brown background.

May 1, 2026

Finke named Mizzou’s 2026 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year

Deborah Finke, professor of entomology, associate division director and director of undergraduate programs in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, has been awarded Mizzou's 2026 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award.

Lone star tick.

April 30, 2026

Changing Missouri weather fuels tick populations

From milder winters to longer tick seasons, Missouri’s changing weather is reshaping when and where ticks thrive.

Carissa Bersche, Allison Collier and Randi Noel.

April 24, 2026

CAFNR students, alumna named NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recipients

Two CAFNR students and one alumna have been named recipients of the 2026-2027 NSF GRFP.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Kent Shannon awarded Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award at 2026 Celebration of Excellence 

Kent Shannon, assistant teaching professor in the Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) degree program, was awarded CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award. He accepted the award at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony April 23. 

April 24, 2026

Cravens, Knapp join CAFNR Teaching Academy 

Lesleighan Cravens and Ben Knapp were inducted into CAFNR’s Teaching Academy April 23, as part of the 2026 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.