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…
July 15, 2025
Making Research More Accessible
Story and photos by Logan Jackson Jane Ray – junior psychological sciences and interdisciplinary studies (women’s and gender studies) double major Mentor: Lisa Flores, professor of psychological sciences As a freshman at Mizzou, Jane Ray got involved in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program offered through the Department of Psychological Sciences. The program allows students to rotate through different psychology labs and engage in research, a weekly seminar and various workshops. Ray’s project is tied to previous research that Lisa Flores conducted focused on broadening the participation of women and Latinx individuals in…
July 14, 2025
Using Research to Help Others
Story and photos by Logan Jackson Nick Ice – senior biochemistry major Mentor: Kamal Singh, assistant professor of veterinary pathobiology; director of the Molecular Interactions Core When Nick Ice arrived at the University of Missouri, he was looking for an opportunity to combine his interest in science with his desire to help others. Those passions led him to research. For the past two years, Ice has been an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Kamal Singh, an assistant professor of veterinary pathobiology whose research includes studying the basic science behind protein interactions. Some of these…
May 16, 2025
Honors Outstanding Senior: Isaac Yontz
Isaac Yontz will graduate with degrees in constitutional democracy and political science and earned the Honors Certificate. Yontz has been able to study abroad and conduct undergraduate research. His efforts led to him receiving the Mizzou ’39 Award early this year and, recently, he was named the Honors College Outstanding Senior. Photo by Logan Jackson. Story by Logan Jackson As Isaac Yontz was making his college decision, he was pretty sure of one thing – he didn’t want to attend the University of Missouri. Yontz grew up in Columbia and was hoping to forge a path away from a university…
May 13, 2025
An Incredible Learning Environment: Milburn Earns Constitutional Democracy and History Degrees
The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy served as a home away from home for Elise Milburn. She was able to study abroad and conduct research through the program. Milburn was also very involved in the Honors College, earning more than 40 Honors credits as a Tiger. Photo courtesy of Elise Milburn. Story by Logan Jackson The first piece of college recruitment material that Elise Milburn received came courtesy of the University of Missouri. While Milburn wasn’t shocked to see those types of materials as a high school student, she was a bit surprised to see something from a university in…
May 12, 2025
Investigating Multiple Opportunities: Smith Earns Communication and Political Science Degrees
Tanner Smith was part of the ASH Scholars Program for all four years as a Tiger. That program allows students to conduct research in the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines. Photo by Logan Jackson. Story by Kaiya Lynch Senior Tanner Smith vividly recalls his first day at the University of Missouri. “I remember sitting in the dorms and was like, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’” Smith said. A communication and political science double-major with a sociology minor, Smith quickly realized that his next step was undergraduate research. Before coming to Mizzou, Smith was determined to become a…
May 11, 2025
Building An Incredible Research Portfolio: Fritschi Earns Biochemistry Degree
The Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program jumpstarted Eric Fritschi’s undergraduate research career. He will graduate with numerous research awards and honors. Photo by Logan Jackson. Story by Logan Jackson When Eric Fritschi arrived on the University of Missouri campus as a freshman, he knew he wanted to get involved in research. The Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program allowed him to do just that. Now, as Fritschi heads toward graduation, he’s built an incredible research portfolio. “I didn’t know what I would enjoy about research, but I always knew I wanted to give it a shot,” said Fritschi, who…
Dec. 12, 2024
Senior Spotlight: Avery Rayle
Story by Logan Jackson As Avery Rayle was exploring plant sciences degree programs at colleges across the state, she said there was one thing that stood out about the University of Missouri – ample opportunities to conduct meaningful undergraduate research right away. Nearly four years later, Rayle is finishing her plant sciences degree with a stellar research portfolio. “I knew I wanted to study plant sciences, and as I was comparing programs at different universities, none of them had an emphasis on research like Mizzou,” Rayle said. “There are so many dedicated programs here for getting undergraduates in the lab…
Aug. 8, 2024
A Summer of Discovery
The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing. Students who are accepted into the nine-week program participate in projects that are individually designed, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member. “It’s a privilege to be able to work doing something you love, so I’m extremely grateful for the Cherng Summer Scholars program, to say the least,” said Emily Boyett, a senior journalism and political science double major. “It’s not often that you get the opportunity to geek…