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…

Aug. 6, 2025

Solving Challenging Problems

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Thao Nguyen – junior electrical engineering major Mentor: Syed Kamrul Islam, chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; professor Research has been a key part of Thao Nguyen’s Mizzou experience. Nguyen will be a junior this fall and has already spent time in laboratories across campus where she has explored her interests and built a solid research portfolio.   Nguyen said she plans to continue to pursue research as a Tiger, especially projects tied to healthcare. Nguyen, an electrical engineering major, is adding to that portfolio this summer,…

Aug. 5, 2025

Designing Her Own Research

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Nya Dodd – junior philosophy and psychological sciences double major Mentor: Sean Lane, associate professor or psychological sciences Nya Dodd jumped into her first research project last semester as part of the Regulation of Emotion, Addiction, and Conflict Trajectories (REACT) Laboratory. Led by Sean Lane, an associate professor of psychological sciences, the lab focuses on the development of quantitative models of personality and psychopathology. Dodd presented her research during the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research.  Dodd has…

Aug. 4, 2025

Jumpstarting Her Research Career

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Alexandra Renoe – sophomore biological sciences and physics double major Mentor: Pam Brown, associate professor of biological sciences; affiliate faculty in the Honors College During her senior year of high school, Alexandra Renoe was on the lookout for an opportunity to get a jumpstart on her research career. A student at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, Renoe decided to reach out to professors at the University of Missouri. She heard back from one professor – Pam Brown – and soon began working in the lab as a high school…

July 23, 2025

Gaining Valuable Insights

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Graham George – sophomore German and international studies (peace studies) double major Mentor: Seth Howes, associate professor of German After graduating high school, Graham George decided that he wanted a bit of adventure before beginning his collegiate journey. Through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship, George was able to spend a year in Germany where he learned the language and was exposed to German culture. When Graham George made the decision to attend Mizzou after returning from a year in Germany, it was only natural that he chose to study…

July 22, 2025

From Discovery Fellow to Cherng Summer Scholar

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Caitlin Mattingly – senior biochemistry major Mentor: John J. Tanner, professor of biochemistry and chemistry Students pursuing the Honors College Certificate at Mizzou have a unique opportunity to begin their research journey as soon as their first day on campus through the Discovery Fellows scholarship program. Discovery Fellows gain beneficial insight into the professional world, enhance their critical thinking skills and oftentimes form invaluable connections with their faculty mentor. Caitlin Mattingly’s research this summer is focused on proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), an enzyme that is often found over expressed in cancer…

July 18, 2025

Solving a Unique Problem

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Ashton Wooster – junior computer science and information technology double major Mentor: Chi-Ren Shyu, professor of electrical engineering and computer science; director of the MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics When Ashton Wooster was looking for an internship opportunity last year, he couldn’t find the exact fit he was looking for. That led him to check out what types of undergraduate research opportunities were available to him at Mizzou. Wooster soon found a project that piqued his interest – and has now spent a year conducting research tied to…

July 16, 2025

Bringing Stories to Life

Story and photos by Logan Jackson Josiah Anderson – sophomore English major Mentor: Phong Nguyen, professor of English and Miller Family Endowed Chair of Writing An avid reader throughout high school, Josiah Anderson also spent plenty of time crafting his own stories. Anderson has continued his storytelling pursuits as a student at the University of Missouri and, this summer, is exploring those interests even further. Anderson’s short stories will be in different genres – realistic fiction, horror and a more artistic version of realistic fiction. While the stories will stand alone, Anderson said the goal is…