Last week, I joined Gov. Mike Parson – along with state and business leaders – in St. Louis to receive the Hawthorn Foundation Project of the Year Award for the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) and NextGen MURR. Accepting with me were MURR Executive Director Matt Sanford and NextGen MURR Program Director Michael Hoehn II.

MURR was recognized for the global impact of our radioisotope production and ongoing expansion, as well as our ambitious vision for NextGen MURR. Twice as powerful as our current research reactor, NextGen MURR will anchor a campus of facilities also housing government and industry partners working together to discover and produce new research isotopes and radiopharmaceutical treatments. NextGen MURR builds on MURR’s more than 50-year legacy of safety and excellence, while bringing even more opportunities to Missouri.

We are honored to receive this recognition and for the incredible support of our elected officials and industry partners. It was great gathering with so many state leaders to share our mission to save and improve lives – while also attracting new jobs and economic development to our region.

— Mun