Aug. 20, 2025

Ready to Explore Her Interests

Incoming Stamps Scholar Macy Czech plans to pursue a mathematics degree at Mizzou. Story and photo by Logan Jackson When Macy Czech began making college visits, she printed out a map of the United States to mark where she had been and where she wanted to explore. Her list covered numerous universities in the Midwest, including the University of Missouri. “I didn’t know a lot about Mizzou; I think we had driven by it on a family vacation,” said Czech, who is from Springfield, Nebraska. “But I knew I wanted to stop there when I was making my college visits.

Aug. 19, 2025

Making the Most of an Opportunity

Incoming Stamps Scholar Stayton Slaughter will pursue a biological sciences degree at Mizzou, with an emphasis in medical science and human biology. Story and photo by Logan Jackson When Stayton Slaughter was choosing which universities he wanted to make official visits to, he knew the University of Missouri was going to be on his list. His mother received a master’s degree in health administration from Mizzou, and he wanted to make sure to stop in Columbia during his many college visits. “From the beginning of my tour of Mizzou, there was such a great vibe,” said Slaughter, who is from…

Aug. 19, 2025

Turning an Interest into a Passion

Incoming Stamps Scholar Jamie Lu will pursue a journalism degree at Mizzou. Story and photo by Logan Jackson While Jamie Lu had always had an interest in writing, it wasn’t until the summer before her senior year of high school that her interest turned into passion. Lu participated in an internship with the Osprey Observer newspaper that summer, where she covered various local news stories around her hometown of Riverview, Florida. “I was able to meet a bunch of community members through the internship,” Lu said. “It was so eye-opening for me to see how vibrant the individuals in my…

Aug. 18, 2025

The Best of Both Worlds

Silas Bloch is one of seven Stamps Scholars who will begin their collegiate journeys at Mizzou this fall. Photo courtesy of Silas Bloch. Story by Logan Jackson As Silas Bloch was making his college decision, there were two distinct reasons that Mizzou was at the top of his list – degree programs that appealed to his interests and a spot where he could find a more individualized learning experience. Being named a Stamps Scholar sealed the deal. Bloch plans to pursue a degree in constitutional democracy when he arrives at Mizzou this fall, a program offered…

Aug. 14, 2025

Making an Impact Through Research

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Joseph Oyewsui – sophomore biological sciences and psychological sciences double major Mentor: Jaume Padilla, professor of nutrition and exercise physiology Oyewusi is working on a project tied to cardiovascular diseases in the context of obesity and diabetes at the NextGen Precision Health building under the mentorship of Jaume Padilla, a professor of nutrition and exercise physiology. While Joseph Oyewusi knew there were plenty of opportunities to explore his interests at the University of Missouri, there was one primary experience he knew he wanted to pursue – research. Oyewusi was able to…

Aug. 13, 2025

Making a Lasting Impact

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Pari Patel – senior computer science major Mentor: Prasad Calyam, Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; director of the Cyber Education, Research and Infrastructure Center (Mizzou CERI) Pari Patel knew she was going to pursue research while at the University of Missouri, but she wanted to make sure she chose a laboratory and project that she was passionate about. Patel found the perfect spot last year in the Mizzou Cyber Education, Research and Infrastructure Center (Mizzou CERI), where she has been able to research confidential…

Aug. 12, 2025

Contributing to a Growing Field

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Cole Stevens – senior health science major Mentor: Aaron Stoker, director of the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics; research professor; affiliate faculty in the Honors College Cole Stevens has gained experience and confidence throughout his three years in the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, a lab focused on conducting the highest quality, hypothesis-driven research centered on orthopaedic disorders. Stevens, who will be a senior this fall, joined the lab as a freshman. The health science major has led his own research project this summer, through the Cherng…

Aug. 11, 2025

A Passion for Answering Questions

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Ava Fleury – junior biochemistry major Mentor: Timothy L. Domeier, associate professor of medical pharmacology and physiology; Margaret Proctor Mulligan Professorship in Medical Research Ava Fleury was a young child when her mother suffered a health scare. Her mother was thankfully able to pull through, and as she grew up, the experience motivated Fleury to look at careers in the medical field. She took advantage of learning opportunities throughout mid-Missouri, such as the Mizzou Mini Medical School, a week-long program where high school students can preview what medical school looks like.

Aug. 8, 2025

Publicizing Research Findings

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Natalie Schaefer – sophomore journalism and political science double major Mentor: Julius Riles, associate professor of communication; affiliate faculty in the Honors College Natalie Schaefer spent part of her freshman year gaining valuable research experience through the ASH Scholars program, which supports teams of undergraduate research students in the arts, social sciences or humanities. ASH Scholars work as members of a faculty-led research or design team. While research wasn’t something Schaefer expected to participate in as a college student, her experience as an ASH Scholar led her to look at other…

Aug. 7, 2025

Reaching a Major Milestone

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Zach Wright – sophomore biochemistry major Mentor: Dan Bergstralh, associate professor of biological sciences Wright has spent his summer studying how epithelial tissues are formed and maintained in animal bodies. Epithelial tissues are the most common tissues found in animal bodies. Zach Wright’s freshman year at the University of Missouri was full of firsts and included a major milestone – he was able to get his first experience as an undergraduate researcher. Wright, who will be a sophomore this fall, plans to pursue medical school after finishing his biochemistry degree…