Story by Logan Jackson
Photos by Chris Wang
An updated radiopharmaceutical chemistry textbook will be published this spring, detailing the latest advancements and clinical successes in the field. When Nora Pryor gets her copy, she already knows which page she’ll flip to first.
Among the discussions of emerging cancer treatments and diagnostic technologies will be a chapter Pryor helped write as an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri.
“I’m going to see the pages of the textbook and be like, ‘I wrote that,’” Pryor said. “That is going to be crazy.”
For Pryor, the moment represents more than just a publication credit. It is the culmination of four years spent building a research career she never imagined for herself before arriving at Mizzou – one that led from freshman-year lab work to unique internships, cancer research and, soon, graduate school at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
“I never thought I was going to be a scientist,” said Pryor, who will graduate this May with degrees in chemistry and French, as well as the Honors College Certificate. “I took a chemistry course in high school because it was required, and I ended up really liking it. It was the first time that I had ever taken a science class and really enjoyed it. I decided to try a higher-level chemistry course and realized I still really enjoyed it. I figured I would begin my college career as a chemistry major with the thought that I would change my major down the road, but I never did.”
Pryor’s first research experience came through the Discovery Fellows program, an Honors College scholarship that connects first-year Tigers with research faculty across campus. Pryor found herself in the laboratory of Heather Hennkens, an associate professor of chemistry with the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), through the program.
“When I think about the trajectory of my research journey, it all happened because I was able to get involved early,” Pryor said. “It changed everything. I honestly didn’t know how to go about getting into a research laboratory, so I’m very thankful for the Discovery Fellows program and the opportunity to make those early connections.”
As Pryor grew as a researcher, so did her responsibilities. She credited Hennkens for guiding her throughout those early years and giving her the space to explore her interests as her skills advanced.
“She’s phenomenal,” Pryor said. “It’s hard to put into words everything she’s done for me. She’s more than a research mentor; she’s become a life mentor. I know she genuinely loves her students and fights for our success. She’s given me so many opportunities and invited me to be part of some epic projects. She’s always believed in me and pushed me to take those next opportunities to further my research.”
Pryor’s research at Mizzou focuses on creating and testing new radiopharmaceuticals that function as therapeutic and diagnostic pairs, known as theranostics, for precision cancer treatment. Her work led to a summer internship with the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York two years ago and an internship with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center last summer.
“When I began my research, I never envisioned the impact that my work could have,” Pryor said. “The fact that I had the chance to work in such a world-renowned facility like MURR is truly incredible, too. Each step has led to this moment, and I’m excited to continue research at the graduate school level.”
While Pryor spent plenty of time as a Tiger in laboratories across campus, she also found time to pursue her passions for the humanities and music, especially through the Honors College and Marching Mizzou. She took two of the Humanities Sequence courses and was a regular in other General Honors College classes. Pryor also played the mellophone for Marching Mizzou, where she had the opportunity to go to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and will travel to London this summer.
“I loved the fact that I could take so many classes outside of my major through the Honors College,” Pryor said. “The Humanities Sequence courses were life-changing; I found some of my favorite authors through the courses and read so many amazing books. I love research, but I’m also very passionate about the humanities. The Honors College allowed me to pursue both.
“Marching Mizzou gave me another great community on campus. There were so many cool opportunities, and I loved being able to be part of so many epic moments at Mizzou football games.”
Pryor will close her time at Mizzou by speaking at the Honors College commencement ceremony as the 2026 Outstanding Senior. She will share more about her Mizzou experiences during the event, which will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
“I’ve had so many rich experiences during my time at Mizzou and in the Honors College, and I’m so very honored to be able to share my thoughts with my peers,” Pryor said. “Having the support of Dean (Catherine) Rymph and Dr. (Rachel) Harper means the world to me, and this is a perfect way to end my time at Mizzou.”