Stories

Three men, including Rick Relyea in the middle, stand in front of a banner with logos for the Davis College at Texas Tech University.

May 1, 2026

Relyea receives Texas Tech Distinguished Alumni Award

Rick Relyea, director of the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems, has been honored with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Tech University’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
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.
Kiho Lee is bathed in blue light as he sits in front of instrumentation in his laboratory.

April 29, 2026

Unlocking a sustainable way to edit chicken genes

Chicken eggs are already used to harvest helpful proteins called antibodies to protect humans from viruses such as influenza. Now, a breakthrough at the University of Missouri could one day lead to chickens that produce other useful medical proteins in their eggs.
A large goldfish in a small bowl.

April 29, 2026

From pet to pest: Invasive goldfish are reshaping freshwater ecosystems, researchers warn

Goldfish are a familiar fixture in homes, classrooms and backyard ponds around the world. But when they are released into lakes and ponds, they can quickly turn healthy freshwater ecosystems into environments that struggle to support native life, new research shows.
Liz Bird and her husband.

April 29, 2026

Get to know Liz Bird

Liz is a Senior Director of Advancement.
Attendees chat around tall tables at the reception before Celebration of Excellence 2026.

April 29, 2026

Catch Up with CAFNR – April 2026

A gallery of CAFNR happenings.
A computer drawing of a market space with shelving, a counter, refrigerated items, and customers waiting.

April 28, 2026

Generous gift names Mizzou’s Meat Market

Mizzou’s meat market will not only have a new look, but also a new name when it opens along with the rest of the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory on the University of Missouri campus this summer.
Katherine Spitzmiller stands next to her research poster on American elderberry compounds and their effect on fighting influenza.

April 27, 2026

Biochemistry student presents research on health-promoting compounds in American elderberries at Show Me Research Week

Katherine Spitzmiller is exploring how a plant native to Missouri can help fight illness.
Lauren LaMar

April 24, 2026

Senior Spotlight: Environmental sciences major fights to knock out pediatric cancer

Lauren LaMar fights for a cause close to her heart through Mizzou Fight Night.
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.