Just one year ago, we welcomed state and national leaders ­– including then-director of the National Institutes of Health Francis Collins – to Mizzou’s campus for the grand opening of the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building.

In that short time, we’ve made incredible research breakthroughs, announced world-class hires (including Dr. W. David Arnold as executive director of the NextGen Precision Health initiative) and continued to grow the facility’s impact. Since Oct. 2021, we’ve brought in $97 million in grants.

NextGen is also connecting students with the tools and expertise they need to launch groundbreaking careers in science. This semester, we welcomed our inaugural cohort of 16 students for the Translational Biosciences Graduate Program. Across six emphasis areas, this program leverages NextGen’s strengths to further biomedical research and improve the health of our communities.

In the coming years, we look forward to welcoming additional faculty, students and industry partners. We’re also building out the fourth floor to serve as the future home of NextGen neuroscience and reproductive biology researchers.

Together, we’re revolutionizing how we deliver personalized health care for Missouri and the world.

— Mun