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Cherng Summer Scholars Explore Their Academic Interests

A group of several students smiling while posing for a photo.
The Cherng Summer Scholars shared more about their projects during the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum, hosted by the Mizzou Office of Undergraduate Research. Not pictured: Thao Nguyen.

Story and photos by Logan Jackson

More than 80 Mizzou students pursuing the Honors Certificate have participated in research or creative scholarship projects through the Cherng Summer Scholars program since its creation in 2018. This year’s cohort was the largest in the program’s history.

Ava Fleury conducting a research experiment in a laboratory.
Ava Fleury’s research this summer focused on exploring the connection between atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea. 

Fifteen Honors College students pursued their academic interests through the nine-week program this summer. The projects are individually designed by the students, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty mentor.

“I was beyond thankful for this opportunity,” said Graham George, a sophomore German and international studies (peace studies) double major. “Being in this cohort with these brilliant students and learning more about what they’re doing has been really motivating. It was cool to see students from so many backgrounds share what they are passionate about. The program offers a great snapshot of the awesome projects that Mizzou offers.”

The Cherng Summer Scholars program is supported by a gift from Andrew and Peggy Cherng and the Panda Charitable Foundation. One of the many Honors programs that the Cherng family supports, students receive a $7,000 award and access to a $1,000 project expense account.

Joseph Oyewsui pointing at a research poster while talking to another individual about his research.
Joseph Oyewusi worked 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.

“I received a scholarship from the Honors College my freshman year that was made possible by a gift from the Cherng family, so I was really excited to be named a Cherng Summer Scholar,” said Thao Nguyen, a junior electrical engineering major. “The cohort was incredible, and I learned so much from our discussions. I have an interest in medicine, so it was enjoyable to discuss that topic with peers who are trying to solve similar problems but by different means.”

Susan Lever, an associate professor emerita of chemistry, has helped lead the program since 2019. She teaches a weekly class, where students meet to discuss their projects, as well as any challenges or successes that the past week held. The course also allows students to share the exciting steps on their research journeys.

“I was so grateful for the financial support because it allowed me to solely focus on research,” said Ava Fluery, a junior biochemistry major. “I also enjoyed talking to students in different fields through the course. We all come from different backgrounds and worked on different projects in distinct disciplines, but we learned through the program to embrace these differences and bring unique perspectives to the table to generate new ideas.”

Students in the program shared their work during the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum, hosted by the Mizzou Office of Undergraduate Research. The forum gave each student the opportunity to showcase their discoveries and allowed them to work on their presentation skills.

“It is really incredible to see the distinct projects that our Cherng Summer Scholars work on each year,” said Catherine Rymph, dean of the Honors College. “This program showcases the wide variety of research and creative scholarship work that is being done across campus. We are very thankful to the Cherng family for making an opportunity of this nature possible.”

Learn more about some of this year’s Cherng Summer Scholars: