The University of Missouri is one of the nation’s leading research universities. Since 1908, MU has been a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, an elite organization of 71 institutions transforming lives through Education, Research and Innovation. 

Educating the next generation of research pioneers has been in our DNA from the beginning. Through the years, our graduates have reached the highest echelon of research excellence including Dr. Frederick Chapman Robbins, a Columbia native who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 for his role in cultivating polio viruses in tissue cultures. Our faculty have played important roles in inspiring this next generation. A key example is Dr. George P. Smith, Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus, who received the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing “phage display,” an innovative technique that transformed drug discovery and cancer treatment.

The important work of training the next generation of research pioneers continues. Recently, 14 Mizzou students were selected as this year’s Cherng Summer Scholars. This outstanding nine-week program for Honors College students provides faculty mentorship and incredible opportunities for Tigers to explore groundbreaking research projects.

Among this year’s talented scholars is Ajay Tosh, a junior from Columbia, who is pursuing degrees in biological sciences and neuroscience. With direction from Ajay’s faculty mentor, Dr. David Beversdorf in the College of Arts and Science and School of Medicine, Ajay is researching an omega-3 fatty acid and its potential positive effects on early neurodevelopment in those with one form of autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Beversdorf is a leading scholar who was recently named an Association for Psychological Science Fellow, a prestigious honor reflecting sustained contributions to his field.

Another Cherng Scholar is Jennifer Boyd, a junior biological sciences major from St. Robert, Missouri. Her research studies specific proteins within bacteria that can infect susceptible plants. Jennifer is working with distinguished faculty mentor Dr. Pamela Brown in the College of Arts and Science. Dr. Brown received a 2025 William T. Kemper Excellence in Teaching Award recognizing her support for student success.

This transformative program is supported by a generous gift from two distinguished Mizzou alums, Peggy and Andrew Cherng. We are grateful to the Cherngs and all alumni for their dedication to our land-grant mission and the success of each Mizzou student. Your support ensures we provide essential, hands-on learning opportunities that ready our Tigers for career success.

— Mun