Aug. 24, 2026
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
As a new academic year begins, fresh faces and expertise are filling classrooms, laboratories and studios across the University of Missouri.
Before classes began, new faculty members participated in orientation hosted by the Office of the Provost, where they connected with university leaders, explored campus resources and learned about the opportunities that support teaching, research and professional development.
Over the past year, 135 faculty members have joined Mizzou, bringing a range of research interests and a shared commitment to student success.
Meet a few of Mizzou’s newest faces.
Seth Meyer
Director, Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI)
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Seth Meyer, PhD ’02, joined the university after serving as USDA’s chief economist.
At Mizzou, he leads FAPRI, which provides objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies for Congress, USDA, commodity groups and international governments.
“This is a great opportunity to continue to provide solid agricultural policy development in support of the agricultural sector, cooperate with other faculty members and return home to Missouri,” Meyer said. “I look forward to the opportunity to do more in-depth analysis and research.”
Elham Ghadiri
Donald L. and Lona Lewis Packwood Assistant Professor in Applied Physics
College of Arts and Science
Elham Ghadiri studies advanced materials and quantum technologies using cutting-edge ultrafast time-resolved optical imaging and spectroscopy techniques. Her research could help advance the next generation of sustainable semiconductors and quantum systems.
"I am thrilled to join Mizzou and become part of such a vibrant community," she said. "From my first interactions, I felt genuinely welcomed by my colleagues, and I already feel at home as a Mizzou Tiger. I am especially excited to work with students both in the classroom and in the research lab, to build new collaborations, and to advance our research in ultrafast science and materials. I look forward to building the next chapter of our research program at Mizzou while contributing to the university’s growing research and educational mission.”
Steven Utke
Associate professor
Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business
Steven Utke comes to Mizzou from the University of Connecticut
His research is focused on taxation, private equity and hedge funds, disclosure, auditing and international ownership.
“I'm looking forward to joining Mizzou because of the strong accounting department with great connections to a dedicated alumni base that loved their time here, as well as a group of researchers doing interesting research that is important to financial markets and congressional policymakers,” Utke said.
Bart Prorok
Chair, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
College of Engineering
Bart Prorok comes to Mizzou after serving as program chair for materials engineering at Auburn University. He is widely recognized for his scholarship and contributions to the field of mechanical engineering.
Prorok said he was honored to step into the role.
“This opportunity stood out to me because of the people, the culture and the clear trajectory of the Mizzou College of Engineering,” he said. “There is also a strong sense of purpose and momentum that is both energizing and compelling. I’m excited to contribute at Mizzou and look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students.”
Julie Hibdon
Director of criminal and justice studies, associate professor in the School of Social Work
College of Health Sciences
Julie Hibdon comes to Mizzou from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she served as a professor of criminology and criminal justice. Her research focuses on evidence-based approaches to preventing and responding to crime and disorder issues, with an emphasis on community partnerships and place-based strategies.
Hibdon said Mizzou’s collaborative environment attracted her to the position.
“There were a few things about the program and the university that really impressed me,” she said. “Being housed with social work and within the College of Health Sciences really helps facilitate the development and innovation of the program through potential course offerings as well as possible collaborations for research in this field.”
Lisa Krantz
Assistant professional practice professor
Missouri School of Journalism
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lisa Krantz, PhD ’24, has returned to the Missouri School of Journalism after working as an assistant professor at the University of Montana.
Krantz worked at the Naples Daily News in Florida before moving to the San Antonio Express-News for more than 17 years. She also spent a year as a Nieman Fellow for Journalism at Harvard. Krantz won a Pulitzer in 2024 while she was a doctoral student at Mizzou, as part of a team of Washington Post journalists.
“I learned so much from my professors and mentors at Mizzou,” Krantz said. “They were so supportive and devoted to their students here. It’s really exciting to think about trying to be what they were for me. I want to be able to give back in the same way that they gave to me, and hopefully the students will have as wonderful of an experience as I did.”
Tirth Uprety
Clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Integrative Biomedical Sciences; section head of molecular diagnostics at the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL)
College of Veterinary Medicine
Uprety’s research explores emerging infectious diseases in animals, helping advance discoveries that protect animal health, strengthening agriculture and deepening our understanding of diseases with broader public health implications.
Uprety, who previously worked in an equine-focused diagnostic laboratory, came to Mizzou for the opportunity to work at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network Tier 1 veterinary diagnostic laboratory, which serves a wide range of animals.
“I am also excited by the opportunity to teach veterinary students and engage in collaborative research,” he said. “Having previously collaborated with VMDL faculty on a research publication, I was already familiar with the collaborative environment, which made the decision to join Mizzou an easy one."
