Stories
Feb. 25, 2025
From study participant to co-author, animal sciences student Asia Smith has explored multiple disciplines on the road to her future
A chance encounter with research has led Smith to paper authorship and cross-disciplinary lessons as she pursues veterinary school.
Feb. 24, 2025
Environmental sciences major explores new ecosystem through Gilman Scholarship
Lindsey Cunningham, junior environmental sciences major from Springfield, Missouri, studied abroad in Costa Rica over winter break.
Feb. 13, 2025
Discovering a clue to what causes reproductive complications
Ahmed Balboula Our cells constantly receive DNA damage from factors such as ultraviolet rays, irradiations, toxins and chemicals. For women, that can lead to poor egg quality, which in turn can cause infertility, miscarriage, birth defects or genetic disorders. Researchers at the University of Missouri are now working to better understand a process that can help repair that damage. In a recent study, a team led by Ahmed Balboula, an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and researcher at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, is studying a process known as autophagy. The…
Feb. 13, 2025
Boosting a plant’s protective forces
Sonawane’s discovery unlocks the door to a wide variety of future opportunities for genetically modified plants and biocontrol agents that ultimately strengthen crops’ protection against pests and pathogens. Photos by Abbie Lankitus. Plants produce special molecules that act like natural pesticides to help defend themselves against pests. Unfortunately, they don’t make enough of these molecules, leaving plants vulnerable to pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, which can result in damaged crops and economic losses for farmers. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri may have found a solution. In a recent study, scientists discovered that a scaffold protein —…
Feb. 12, 2025
Get to know Derek Brake
Derek Brake What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am an assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences. My current appointment is 45% research, 45% teaching and 10% service. In other words, I teach several 4000/7000-level courses, advise students, and participate on committees while also conducting fundamental research designed to understand how to better meet the nutrient requirements of ruminants. How long have you worked in CAFNR? I joined CAFNR in August of 2018. What do you enjoy about working for CAFNR/Mizzou? I grew up around agriculture and take pride in…
Feb. 12, 2025
University of Missouri Board of Curators honors former Gov. Mike Parson with naming of new meat sciences lab
The facility will offer additional education and workforce development opportunities to contribute to one of Missouri’s largest industries.
Feb. 12, 2025
Catch Up with CAFNR – February 2025
Catch Up with CAFNR, February 2025: A photo gallery of CAFNR happenings!
Feb. 11, 2025
CAFNR researchers develop new genetic defense against costly soybean pest
Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) cost American farmers an estimated $2 billion in yield losses each year. Since the pest’s discovery in 1954, plant scientists have worked to combat its destructive impact. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are on the verge of a breakthrough in SCN resistance technology. “We are at the point now where we have a gene identified that we believe contains a new resistance to SCN, and, hopefully, this will lead to a new breakthrough,” said Sushil Chhapekar, post-doctoral fellow in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Division of Plant Science and Technology. Sushil…
Feb. 5, 2025
Food safety tips for Super Bowl parties
Keep your Super Bowl spread safe and scrumptious with MU Extension's essential food safety tips.
Feb. 5, 2025
First woman of Mizzou wildlife
Katheryn Paullus, BS ’47, Mizzou’s pioneering female graduate in conservation, transformed the field with bobwhite quail research that inspired generations.