Research
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…
Jan. 23, 2025
Foremost Dairy staff honored with Driver to Distinction award
CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert honored the Foremost Dairy farm staff with the Driver to Distinction award. Daubert acknowledged the significant advancements occurring at the dairy and expressed gratitude to the staff for their commitment and effort in furthering the land-grant mission as implemented through Foremost Dairy. The honorees included: Adam Shetley, farm manager; Joe Ancell, dairy worker; Will Tackett, dairy worker; Drew Edwards, research specialist; and Maria Poock, dairy worker. Others in attendance were State Rep. Adrian Plank; CAFNR Associate Dean Shibu Jose; Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (REEC) Assistant Director for Livestock Josh Peak…
Jan. 16, 2025
Center for Agroforestry to host 16th Annual Symposium
The University of Missouri’s Center for Agroforestry is holding its 16th Agroforestry Symposium: Working Lands for Restoration and Harvest on Jan. 30 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the center for Missouri Studies in Columbia, Mo.
Jan. 7, 2025
DASS faculty launch fellowship program to grow public utility policy scholars
Division of Applied Social Sciences faculty members Adrienne Ohler and Michael Sykuta are leveraging a $250,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to create a fellowship program to connect early-career energy economics researchers with energy industry partners while fostering more academics in the public utility policy analysis space. “The goal is to create an ecosystem of people who are doing applied policy analysis work,” Sykuta said of the program. Adrienne Ohler The fellowship program, named the FRI Utility Policy Fellows program, is under the umbrella of CAFNR’s Financial Research Institute (FRI) and aims to bring four early-career energy economics…
Dec. 11, 2024
Farmers gain financial insights through innovative database, personalized education
For more than a decade, Division of Applied Social Sciences faculty Jon Simonsen and Bruce Fowler have been working to create a robust financial database tool for farmers, while also helping producers hone their own financial skills. “The ultimate goal is to be able to go out there and get the best financial information to enable producers to make the best decisions for their farms and their families,” said Simonsen, professor of agricultural education. Jon Simonsen The project makes use of dozens of agricultural education teachers at high schools and technical schools across the Midwest. These teachers offer adult classes…
Dec. 10, 2024
Graduate Student Spotlight: Q&A with Jhonathan Ordinola Diaz
What is your research focus? My research focuses on energy policy and their implications on the population. Currently, I am conducting research on the public perception of nuclear waste in Missouri, learning from the public’s experience, to approximate the concerns that will occur in a future permanent repository, yet to be defined by the Department of Energy, but needed soon. Jhonathan Ordinola Diaz Why does this field interest you? I grew up in a small town in northern Peru (Pucala), surrounded by huge sugar cane fields owned by a single company. Our water, air and energy sources were closely affected…
Dec. 9, 2024
CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Q&A with Luke Annin
Annin is a senior graduating in December with a degree in biochemistry.
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.
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…
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.