News & Stories

Driven by Curiosity

A group of students posing for a group photo.
The Cherng Summer Scholars program is supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng. Recipients receive a $7,000 award and access to a $1,000 expense account for their project Projects cover a wide range of topics and allow students to pursue work that is truly meaningful to them.

Story and photos by Logan Jackson

Fourteen Honors College students pursued their academic interests this summer through the Cherng Summer Scholars program. Students individually design their projects, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty mentor. 

Ajay Tosh looking into a microscope while in a research laboratory.
This summer, Ajay Tosh researched docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid vital for brain health, eye function and reducing inflammation. His project aims to study how DHA supplementation modulates brain volume using mouse models with autism spectrum disorder to see if the acid has any positive effects on the condition.

“This experience has provided me with so much,” said Cole Brodeur, a junior biochemistry major. “I’ve been given independence with my project, which is invaluable. I’ve gained experience with experimental design and learned important techniques. 

“I’ve also been able to learn about other fields through the program, which has been eye-opening. I really enjoyed hearing about the other projects and being introduced to research outside of STEM.”  

The program is supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng. Recipients receive a $7,000 award and access to a $1,000 expense account for their project Projects cover a wide range of topics and allow students to pursue work that is truly meaningful to them.

“This is literally a dream program for me,” said Josiah Anderson, a junior English major. “When I came to Mizzou, my primary goal was to become the best writer that I can become in my four years. Even if I never get published, that’s what I’m focused on. The Cherng Summer Scholars program is allowing me to further my craft. It’s truly been a blessing.”

Josiah Anderson talking to an individual during a research presentation.
Josiah Anderson worked on a fantasy novel this summer, with a specific focus on the editing process. He said he wrote nearly 150,000 words leading up to the summer and spent the first part of the scholarship getting his first draft to a place where he could begin receiving feedback.

Susan Lever, an associate professor emerita of chemistry and affiliate faculty in the Honors College, has led the program since 2019. She teaches a weekly class, where students meet to discuss their projects, as well as any challenges or successes they experienced during the past week. The course also allows students to share the exciting developments in their research journeys.

“The program was neat for me because I’ve been able to see all the ways that ambition can be applied in so many different disciplines,” said Abby Plenge, a senior constitutional democracy major. “All of the students are highly motivated and highly intelligent, and it just motivated me to work even harder. It was also exciting to come together every week to discuss our projects and support each other.”

Students in the program shared their work during the Summer Research Forum, hosted by the Mizzou Office of Undergraduate Research. The event gave each Cherng Summer Scholar the opportunity to share their discoveries and work on their presentation skills.

“I think science communication is extremely important,” said Ajay Tosh, a junior biological sciences and neuroscience double major. “I think oftentimes within research it feels like it’s publish or perish. Scientific publications are extremely complex, especially for individuals who aren’t in those specific fields. With events like poster presentations, you must simplify the science and make it understandable for a wide variety of audiences. It’s great for young researchers, and it truly allows us to explain the why behind our projects.”

Learn more about this year’s Cherng Summer Scholars: