Stories

May 6, 2020

Karl Kerns Honored with Distinguished Dissertation Award

Karl Kerns, a postdoctoral fellow in animal sciences, has received the MU Distinguished Dissertation Award from the Graduate School as part of the Sixth Annual Graduate and Postdoctoral Award Ceremony. Kerns’ dissertation, “Zinc Ion Fluxes on the Pathway to Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency,” was supervised by Peter Sutovsky, professor of animal sciences. The research used a combination of new techniques to explain sperm zinc ion fluxes and develop a new sperm fertilization competency test. The test has been submitted for international patenting by the University of Missouri. The findings from Kerns’ dissertation have been published in the highly regarded Nature…

April 20, 2020

Tom Spencer Appointed to Position with Office of Research and Economic Development

Tom Spencer, Curators Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, has accepted a part-time appointment as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Strategic Initiatives in the Biomedical and Agricultural Sciences. In this capacity, Spencer will work with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, as well as the Provost, Deans and Center Directors, to shape and enhance the current research centers, develop strategies for new strategic centers of excellence in research and creative works, support the Research Core Facilities, coordinate among departments and colleges the recruitment of faculty in strategic research thrusts and plan and drive new strategic initiatives that will…
Bryon Wiegand graduated Lead 21

March 28, 2020

Bryon Wiegand Graduates from Lead21

Dr. Bryon Wiegand, associate director and professor of animal sciences, graduated Feb. 20 from Class 15 of the LEAD21 leadership-development program. The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension who canto lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current positions or future leadership positions.