Stories
Sep. 20, 2023
Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry Receives Fellows Award from Academy of Science-St. Louis
Gary Weisman, curators' distinguished professor of biochemistry, was recognized by the Academy of Science-St. Louis as a 2020 fellows awardee. The organization delayed their 2020 celebration due to COVID-19, and recognized those awardees, including Weisman, in its 2023 celebration on Sept. 20.
Aug. 18, 2023
Mizzou Students Awarded Agriculture Future of America Scholarships
Seven Mizzou students were selected to receive Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Scholarships. AFA’s mission is to “build bridges for young leaders, fostering engagement and innovation in food and agriculture.”
May 10, 2023
CAFNR Students Tapped for Honor Societies
CAFNR students took part in induction ceremonies for Mizzou honor societies April 28 as part of 2023 Tap Day. Inducted were Andres Mesa, Trillion Rosborough and Kathryn Wenger.
May 8, 2023
CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Kaylee Lewis
Why did you choose to come to the University of Missouri? Why did you choose to pursue a degree in biochemistry? As a young girl who grew up around the agriculture industry, I was exposed to the University of Missouri many times before I was able to call myself a Tiger! Crazily enough, Mizzou was the only college I applied to as it is exactly where I knew I wanted to go. CAFNR combines two of my favorite things: science and agriculture. So biochem was an easy choice for me! Biochem curriculum, faculty, and students have helped me to graduation…
April 17, 2023
CAFNR Junior Named Goldwater Scholar
Kristen Barwick, junior in biochemistry, was one of four University of Missouri students selected as a Goldwater Scholar for 2023. Each year, universities nominate up to four students for this prestigious national scholarship — this year, all four nominees from Mizzou were named to the scholar program. The Goldwater Scholarship is a competitive national scholarship program that recognizes outstanding undergraduate students in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. It provides $7,500 for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, and is awarded based on academic merit, research experience and potential for future achievement. This year, 413 scholars were…
April 13, 2023
CAFNR Represented Among 14 MU Students, Alumni Honored by National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution. This year’s recipients included three CAFNR students and alumni: Daniel Lamm, BS ’20 (biochemistry); Joseph Fritsche, BS ’21 (biochemistry); and Chantelle Wimms, current graduate student in natural resources. Alyssa Smolensky, current graduate student in natural resources, received an honorable mention. Wimms and Smolensky…
April 12, 2023
Antje Heese Received Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award as Part of 2023 Celebration of Excellence
Antje Heese received the 2023 CAFNR Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award at the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 11. She is an associate professor of biochemistry and part of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group; she chaired the Graduate Admissions Committee for biochemistry from 2018-20. Heese’s graduate students have achieved highly, thanks to her expert mentorship, according to nominators. For example, her students have given a total of 19 talks, including 10 at international conferences; presented 35 poster presentations; received 18 travel grants; been awarded nine fellowships; and have published 11 scientific publications. “Antje has high expectations…
April 12, 2023
Scott Peck Received Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award as Part of 2023 Celebration of Excellence
Scott Peck, professor of biochemistry, received the 2023 Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award at the CAFNR Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 11. Peck joined Mizzou in 2005 and has made numerous seminal discoveries on the functions of specific protein kinases and phosphatases that control plant defense responses to bacterial pathogens. His papers have garnered more than 10,000 total citations. Peck has been appointed as an Extraordinary Professor at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, and as a Joint Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in Japan. He continuously…
April 12, 2023
Marie Dickerson Receives CAFNR Safety Leadership Award at 2023 Celebration of Excellence
Marie Dickerson was honored with the inaugural Safety Leadership Award during CAFNR’s 2023 Celebration of Excellence ceremony on Tuesday, April 11, setting the standard of the quality of work recipients of this new award should perform, notes the awarding committee. Dickerson is the building manager and safety coordinator in the Division of Biochemistry. In her role as the liaison to MU Environmental Health and Safety, Dickerson is an advocate for the safety and operation of our campus buildings, including laboratories. She is the point person for the maintenance and repair of all levels of…
March 25, 2023
CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Shari Freyermuth
Shari Freyermuth is an academic advisor for students in the biochemistry degree program. How rewarding is it to work with students in the biochemistry degree program? I love working with biochemistry students. They are driven to do well and they want to make a difference both now and in their future careers. I’m amazed at how much studying, activities and work many of them can pack into one day! How do you assist those students throughout their academic journey? I work with students to make sure their schedules work, and we often plan ahead for all four years. They…