Show-Me State Times

The University of Missouri celebrated the achievements of over 500 students and postdoctoral fellows during Show Me Research Week, which took place from April 8 to April 12. The event showcased the research and creative endeavors of Mizzou students and postdoctoral fellows, highlighting their roles as creators, innovators, problem solvers, and thinkers. The week concluded with an Award and Recognition Ceremony at the Bond Life Sciences Center.

During the ceremony, students were acknowledged for their outstanding work, with a special emphasis on the faculty members who served as their mentors. The event recognized various achievements, including the winners of the Advanced Light Microscopy Core Image Contest. Donielle Brottlund from Felix Fritschi’s Lab received the People’s Choice Award, while Lydia Phillips from Soyon Park’s Lab was awarded the Expert’s Choice Award. Varun Dwivedi from Craig Schenck’s Lab won the Best Technically Challenging Image award.

The Forum Presentation Awards highlighted the accomplishments of students in different categories such as Applied Design, Artistic Expression, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, Informatics, Life Sciences, and Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Each category featured outstanding projects and their corresponding mentors.

The Visual Art and Design Showcase provided a platform for undergraduate students to exhibit their scholarly work. Notable awards from the showcase included the Grand Prize for Applied Design, awarded to Jae Cowen for "Our Amazing Planet," and the Grand Prize for Artistic Expression, given to Reese Betts for "All That Remains (and That Which Does Not)."

Additionally, the ceremony recognized faculty members who excelled in their roles as mentors. Ric Wilson from the graphic design department was honored for his mentorship of Jae Cowen, while Katina Bitsicas from digital storytelling was recognized for mentoring Reese Betts.

The event also included the presentation of the People’s Choice Award to Emily Wilson for her video titled "We Are Not Just A Day." Moreover, the Undergraduate Mentor of the Year award was open to regular MU faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, or research staff who mentored undergraduate students presenting at the 2024 Symposium or the Visual Art and Design Showcase.

Among the nominees for the Undergraduate Mentor of the Year award were faculty members such as Rebecca Grollemund and Caroline Kopot, who have displayed exceptional dedication to mentoring students in their respective fields of expertise. The ceremony celebrated the collaborative efforts of students and mentors in advancing research and creative pursuits at the University of Missouri.