Research

Isaac Yontz smiling while holding a certificate.

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…

Elise Milburn smiling and posing for a picture in front of a historic landmark.

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…

Tanner Smith holding a microphone while speaking to a crowd.

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…

A student pointing at a research poster while talking to another individual.

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…

Avery Rayle holding a sign and posing for a picture in front of a field of corn.

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…

A group of Cherng Summer Scholars posing for a group picture.

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…

Gus Metz

Aug. 5, 2024

Cherng Summer Scholar Q&A – Gus Metz

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. This year, there were 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Gus Metz, a sophomore international studies and linguistics double major. Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research? Answer: I worked with Dr. Michael Marlo, an associate professor of English. Question: What is the focus…

Scott Roselli

Aug. 4, 2024

Cherng Summer Scholar Q&A – Scott Roselli

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. This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Scott Roselli, a senior biology major. Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research? Answer:  I work in the Cardiac Cell Physiology Lab. My PI is Timothy L. Domeier, an associate professor of medial pharmacology…

Ava Roderick

Aug. 3, 2024

Cherng Summer Scholar Q&A – Ava Roderick

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. This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Ava Roderick, a senior philosophy and psychology double major. Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research? Answer:  I am working primarily with Nicole Campione-Barr, a professor of psychological sciences, in her Family Relationships and…

Dustin Peters

Aug. 2, 2024

Cherng Summer Scholar Q&A – Dustin Peters

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. This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Dustin Peters, a senior biochemistry major. Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research? Answer: I’m working with Dr. Michael Petris, a professor of biochemistry, as well as a fifth-year graduate student Chiemerie Azubuogu, in…