At the University of Missouri, research moves with purpose. Across campus, faculty, staff and students are digging into the kinds of challenges that shape daily life — from public health and education to agriculture, technology and community well‑being. Their work advances what we know and creates practical solutions that help people in Missouri and beyond. Each new finding adds momentum to a long-standing tradition of curiosity, collaboration and service that defines our mission.
In recognition of those contributions, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named three Mizzou researchers 2025 AAAS Fellows.
The recipients are:
- Paul de Figueiredo, a NextGen Precision Health Endowed Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in Mizzou’s School of Medicine and a principal investigator at Mizzou’s Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.
- Roman Ganta, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and McKee Endowed Professor in Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a principal investigator at the Bond Life Sciences Center.
- Wesley Warren, professor of animal sciences in Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, professor of surgical research in the School of Medicine and a principal investigator at the Bond Life Sciences Center (pictured above left).
AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science. Founded in 1848, the nonprofit fulfills its mission to advance science and serve society through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education and public engagement.
Wesley Warren
Wesley Warren is being recognized for his leadership in generating and analyzing genome‑scale data — work that has reshaped research across evolutionary biology, functional genomics, biomedicine and agriculture.
That expertise anchors his current research, which compares whole genomes to uncover how organisms adapt at the genetic level, offering insights that also deepen our understanding of human biology. Warren’s lab now uses single-cell technologies to comparatively dissect and unravel the complexity underlying novel traits.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named an AAAS Fellow in recognition of my contributions to comparative genomics,” he said. “This distinction marks a full‑circle moment in a career devoted to advancing discovery across diverse species and deepening our understanding of the genetic blueprints of life. The University of Missouri provided the foundation that enabled me to pursue state‑of‑the‑art genomic science and contribute discoveries that continue to support knowledge and conservation of many animal species.”
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