Plant Sciences

Five students pose in front of mountains.

April 1, 2024

Mizzou Plant Sciences students see success at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition

For the first time, seven Mizzou students competed in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) conducted through the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).
Winners holding certificates

April 1, 2024

Biochemistry and Plant Sciences Students win awards at 2024 Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting

Four CAFNR undergraduates won awards at the 2024 Midwest American Society of Plant Biologists Meeting held at Purdue University.
Demi White

Feb. 22, 2024

Plant Sciences student Demi White selected as MizzouForward Undergraduate Research Training Grant Recipient

White, a junior majoring in plant sciences with a minor in microbiology, will be conducting an independent research project under the mentorship of Soyon Park.
A medium-skinned woman with long, black hair and brown eyes smiles. She is wearing a coral colored blouse and sits in a sun-filled cafe.

Feb. 21, 2024

Postdoctoral fellow spotlight: Q&A with Ranjita Sinha

What is your research focus?  My research is focused on understanding the physiological and molecular responses of plants to different combinations of abiotic stresses. While growing in field, crops are frequently challenged with various stresses, simultaneously or sequentially, negatively impacting overall yield and farmer’s earnings. I have been studying the impact of stresses that are predominantly present in fields, such as salt, heat, soil pollutants, high-light, drought, and their different combinations on crops such as rice, maize, soybean, and model plants like Arabidopsis thaliana. I am working to decipher the molecular responses of plants to stress combinations. Combinations of different…
Nick Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. Photo courtesy of Nick Wesslak.

March 10, 2023

From Student to Specialist

As a high school student in Salem, Mo., Nick Wesslak was an active member of his local FFA chapter. That experience not only introduced him to the University of Missouri, it also showed him an interesting career path – one that he is now serving in with MU Extension. Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. “I’m really happy to be back in the…
With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park.

Feb. 23, 2023

Enhancing Learning Opportunities

With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park. Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant…
Senior Spotlight graphic featuring student wearing graduation gown and stole.

Dec. 13, 2022

Senior Spotlight: Michael McLaughlin

McLaughlin will graduate with a degree in plant sciences.
Mackenzie Ewing serves as an academic advisor for the agricultural systems technology and plant sciences degree programs.

Nov. 15, 2022

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Mackenzie Ewing

Ewing serves as an academic advisor for the agricultural systems technology and plant sciences degree programs.
Alex Muñoz just began his new role this summer as director of student recruitment in CAFNR. His job allows him to travel throughout the state and share how CAFNR helped prepare him for the future, as well as the great hands-on learning opportunities in each of the College’s 14 degree programs. He regularly meets with students and parents on campus as well. Photo courtesy of Alex Muñoz.

Oct. 11, 2022

An Advocate for CAFNR

Alex Muñoz shares all CAFNR has to offer as director of student recruitment.
Tiger Garden, the University of Missouri’s full-service, student-ran floral shop, opened its doors in 2005 and has provided numerous hands-on learning experiences for students across the MU campus. Those opportunities are what brought Grace Anderson to Mizzou. Photo courtesy of Grace Anderson.

May 15, 2022

Making valuable connections

Grace Anderson has gained incredible hands-on learning experiences through Tiger Garden.