Stories

A man with dark hair, brown eyes, and black-rimmed glasses in a black t-shirt with a Mizzou athletic tiger emblem on it stands in front of a public art sculpture in the bond Life Sciences building. He is smiling and leaning on a railing

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…
Jafar Tanin stands with arms outstretched in front of a field planted with wheat.

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.
A student looks at a wine glass.

Nov. 20, 2024

Cheers to learning

In Katherine Hagely’s Grapes and Wines of the World class, students explore agriculture, history, geography and culture through rosé-colored glasses.
Column Award recipients

Nov. 12, 2024

Celebrating our distinguished alumni: CAFNR Column Awards 2024

From left to right: David Larsen, Jonathan Dyer, Blake Hurst, Joel Spencer and Julian Lenis. Not pictured: Kendra Kattelmann. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources honored six recipients with the 2024 CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni. This is the only award specifically for alumni presented by the college – the highest honor bestowed by the College in celebration of outstanding alumni. The awardee class includes one graduate from each of CAFNR’s six divisions, reflecting the six historic columns at the University of Missouri. View the event photo album. School of Natural ResourcesDavid LarsenB.S. Forestry ’78, M.S.
Collage of portraits of Van Doren and Barros Rios

Oct. 23, 2024

Plant Science and Technology and Biochemistry researchers harness DOE technology to further biofuels, basic science

Researchers at the University of Missouri have been studying plants to help farmers improve food production since the inception of the university itself, but as plants become pathways to filling other public needs — like biofuels — it opens doors to researchers who want to gain more insight into the ways that plants operate. “All major advancements start with basic science,” said Jaime Barros-Rios, assistant professor of plant science and technology. Jaime Barros-Rios Barros-Rios is one of two CAFNR researchers currently working under innovative grants with the U.S. Department of Energy that allow them access to DOE equipment and laboratories…
Beetle collection in historic entomological museum.

Oct. 15, 2024

Celebrate historic milestone, learn more about fascinating world of insects

The Enns Entomological Museum, part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri, is opening its doors (and cabinets of fascinating specimens) to the local community in celebration of its 150th anniversary.
Leah Gastonguay poses in a field wearing a gold Mizzou shirt and a tan hat.

Oct. 10, 2024

CAFNR graduate student receives sustainable agriculture grant

Leah Gastonguay, Ph.D. student in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences (emphasis in Entomology), along with her advisor, Debbie Finke, professor of Plant Science and Technology, was awarded $19,792 for the project, "Companion Planting to Optimize Beneficial Insect Ecosystem Services in Pepper Cropping Systems."

Oct. 2, 2024

Five CAFNR faculty members named as highly ranked scholars

Three faculty members in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, one in the Division of Animal Sciences, and a professor emeritus from Biochemistry, all in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, have been named to the list of Highly Ranked Scholars on ScholarGPS. Scholars listed include: John Boyer, Distinguished Research Professor, Plant Science and Technology Ron Mittler, Curators’ Distinguished Professor, Plant Science and Technology Henry Nguyen, Professor, Plant Science and Technology R. Michael Roberts, Professor Emeritus, Biochemistry Tom Spencer, Curators’ Distinguished Professor, Animal Sciences Highly Ranked Scholars™ are the most productive (number of publications) authors whose…
Henry T. Nguyen smiling.

Oct. 2, 2024

Plant Science & Technology Professor named to Borlaug Training Foundation Board

The Borlaug Training Foundation (BTF) is an independent, non-profit corporation.
Portraits of three professors

Sep. 27, 2024

Three CAFNR faculty members named Curators’ Distinguished Professors

The University of Missouri Board of Curators recently named nine University of Missouri faculty members Curators’ Distinguished Professors and one Curators' Distinguished Professor Emeritus, including three CAFNR faculty members.