Aug. 11, 2025

Contributing to a Growing Field

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 Summer Scholars program. “When I arrived at Mizzou, I knew I wanted to get involved in research,” Stevens said. “I did a deep dive into…

Aug. 10, 2025

A Passion for Answering Questions

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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. Those experiences only strengthened Fleury’s interest in medicine, and she wanted to continue on that pathway when she enrolled at Mizzou two years ago.

Aug. 7, 2025

Publicizing Research Findings

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 opportunities. This summer, Schaefer is one of 15 Honors College students who is part of the Cherng Summer Scholars program. “I never…

Aug. 6, 2025

Reaching a Major Milestone

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 and was interested in seeing what research opportunities were available to him at Mizzou. He was able to join the Finegan-Bergstralh Laboratory, which studies how animal tissues acquire and maintain their shape, as well as what happens when that…

Aug. 5, 2025

Solving Challenging Problems

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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, an electrical engineering major, is adding to that portfolio this summer, through the Cherng Summer Scholars program. A nine-week research or creative scholarship program for Mizzou students who are pursuing the Honors Certificate, the Cherng Summer Scholars program allows students to participate in individually designed projects under the mentorship of…

Aug. 4, 2025

Designing Her Own Research

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 has been able to build on that research this summer through the Cherng Summer Scholars program. A nine-week research or creative scholarship program for Mizzou students who are pursuing the Honors Certificate, the Cherng Summer Scholars program allows students…

Aug. 3, 2025

Jumpstarting Her Research Career

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 student. Renoe will enter her sophomore year at Mizzou this fall and has continued to work with Brown, an associate professor of biological sciences and…

July 22, 2025

Gaining Valuable Insights

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study after high school, and I really wanted to take my time on the decision,” George said. “When I found the CBYX scholarship, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge base and dive…

July 21, 2025

From Discovery Fellow to Cherng Summer Scholar

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 was connected with John J. Tanner, a professor of biochemistry and chemistry, through the program as a freshman. Now, as Mattingly enters her senior year this fall, she’s still an active researcher in Tanner’s lab.

July 17, 2025

Solving a Unique Problem

Story and photos by Logan Jackson 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 quantum cybersecurity. “Once I got started with my work, I really got into the project,” said Wooster, a junior computer science and information technology double major. “I definitely think research is something…