Accolades
April 20, 2022
Jordan Thomas Named 2021 J.W. Burch Specialist as Part of 2022 Celebration of Excellence
Jordan Thomas is the 2021 recipient of the J.W. Burch State Specialist Agricultural Extension Award, presented at the CAFNR Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 19. Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD in animal sciences with an emphasis on reproductive physiology at the University of Missouri. He became an assistant Extension professor in 2018 and has served as the state beef reproduction specialist since 2020. Thomas conducts applied research in reproduction management of beef cattle, coordinates the cattle breeding program at the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, serves as the program advisor for the Show-Me-Select Replacement…
April 20, 2022
CAFNR Teaching Academy Inducts Three New Members
Three new members were inducted into the CAFNR Teaching Academy as part of the college’s Celebration of Excellence event April 19. Membership in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Teaching Academy will be reserved for CAFNR faculty who have received a distinguished teaching award on a national, regional, or university level that crosses disciplines. The inductees are: Alba Argerich, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources Mary Hendrickson, associate professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences John Tummons, assistant teaching professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences Argerich is the recipient of the 2021 Provost’s…
April 20, 2022
Rocio Rivera Receives Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award as Part of 2022 Celebration of Excellence
Rocio Rivera, Division of Animal Sciences, professor Rocio Rivera received the 2022 CAFNR Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 19. She is a professor of animal sciences, and has been a member of the graduate faculty since 2007. Rivera has trained 10 master’s students, 1 doctoral student (with 2 current) and numerous post-baccalaureate and undergraduate students. She has also hosted visiting scientists and served as director of graduate studies in the Division of Animal Sciences. She uses her experiences as a minority student to mentor many students and junior faculty. She helped students found…
April 20, 2022
Hannah Twenter Receives 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award at Celebration of Excellence
Twenter, Hannah CAFNR – Animal Sciences, Instructor, Division of Animal Sciences Hannah Twenter, instructor and academic advisor in the Division of Animal Sciences, was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony, held Tuesday, April 19. Twenter began her advising and instructor role in Animal Sciences in 2016. On average, she has 38 advisees each semester, with several more “unofficially.” In addition to these duties, additional involvement includes chairing the CAFNR Undergraduate Recruitment Committee. “Hannah’s advising activities extend well beyond traditional advising. She advises the whole student,” says Trista Strauch, assistant teaching professor in…
April 20, 2022
Antje Heese Receives 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award at Celebration of Excellence
Antje Heese, associate professor of biochemistry, received the 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award as part of CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence. She was honored at the 2022 in-person ceremony Tuesday, April 19. Heese received her master’s degree in plant physiology and biochemistry from Ruhr-Universität in Germany and her PhD in botany and plant pathology from Michigan State University. She joined the University of Missouri as an assistant research professor in 2006. “Professor Heese builds personal connections with her students, such that they are empowered to broach difficult topics related to their academic standing, physical or mental health,” says Michael Chapman, director…
April 20, 2022
Addison Byrne Receives 2022 Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award at Celebration of Excellence
Addison Byrne, instructor in the Division of Animal Sciences, received the Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award at CAFNR’s 2022 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, held Tuesday, April 19. Byrne earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in animal sciences, from the University of Missouri. She received her certificate of college teaching in 2019 from Mizzou as well. Byrne has served as an instructor within the division since 2018. Byrne’s teaching style incorporates inquiry and application-based science to address misconceptions and addresses real-world situations; promotes student awareness and understanding of scientific topics; and generates and supports an inclusive learning environment for…
April 20, 2022
Robin Rotman Receives 2021 Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award at Celebration of Excellence
Robin Rotman, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources (SNR), received the 2021 Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award at CAFNR’s 2022 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, held Tuesday, April 19. Rotman earned her bachelor’s degree in geology from Sewanee: The University of the South, in Tennessee; her master’s in water science, policy and management from The University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar; and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Yale Law School. Rotman joined SNR in 2018 after 10 years of practicing law. Her teaching philosophy is focused on knowledge transfer, skills development, professional preparation and personal…
April 20, 2022
Marie Dickerson Receives Outstanding Staff Award as Part of 2022 Celebration of Excellence
Marie Dickerson is the 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Staff Award, presented by the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council as part of CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence April 19. Marie, a research specialist senior, has worked in the Division of Biochemistry for 10 years. Since 2015, she has served as building coordinator for buildings managed by Biochemistry, as well as supported undergraduate teaching laboratories with preparation for faculty-designed activities. She is the departmental liaison to MU Environmental Health and Safety, a critically important job when each lab has safety protocols that must be meticulously followed and kept up to date. Marie serves…
April 14, 2022
Jordon Wade to Speak at National Academy of Sciences’ Discussion
Jordon Wade, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources, was asked to be a part of the National Academy of Sciences’ discussion on “State of Our Soils” on Friday, April 22. The State of the Soil event celebrates the science of soil health and soil health management during a wide-ranging discussion with panelists who will talk about soil health aspects in their respective regions. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration for the event can be found here.
April 14, 2022
Jackie Limberg on the Board of Directors for the American Autonomic Society
Jackie Limberg, assistant professor in nutrition and exercise physiology, is on the board for the American Autonomic Society (AAS). Limberg is also the chair of the communications committee. AAS was established to bring together individuals from diverse disciplines who share an interest in the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system. The society sponsors annual meetings and provides a point of contact among the many interested clinical and basic scientists who wish to communicate across disciplinary lines.