Shibu Jose, associate dean for research in MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received agInnovation’s 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award in September.

agInnovation, a national organization representing State Agricultural Experiment Stations and the scientists that support them, uses Excellence Awards to honor trailblazers in multistate research, leadership and agricultural innovation at land-grant institutions.

Jose, who is also the director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, was selected as the North Central Region’s award winner for his distinguished leadership in the field of agricultural science.

“His commitment to inclusivity, partnership expansion and excellence in administration makes him a model for agricultural science leadership,” agInnovation said of Jose.

For over 30 years, Jose has made transformative contributions to research, teaching and administration, gaining international recognition for his pioneering work in agroforestry and ecological sustainability. He has authored some 400 publications and been cited over 16,000 times. He’s also mentored dozens of up-and-coming and visiting scholars.

His leadership has driven significant growth in research funding, and under his stewardship the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station has seen restructuring, leading to enhanced fiscal efficiency and modernized research infrastructure.