Published on Show Me Mizzou Aug. 27, 2024
During the 2023–24 academic year, Mizzou awarded 44 Research Council Grants — investments that led to book contracts, juried performances, art exhibits, peer-reviewed articles and the generation of pilot data for grant proposals.
These internal grants of up to $15,000 each support research, scholarship and creative endeavors that contribute to how competitive the university’s grant proposals are for external funding. Since 2019, MU has supported 195 projects with over $2 million in investments.
These complex, intricate projects by Mizzou researchers and educators are at the forefront of scientific discovery and scholarly thought, proving that the pursuit of knowledge drives innovation and progress — no matter how inscrutable the specialized language might be. Below is a selection of grants awarded in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Biological and medical research
Key projects:
• Enzyme structure for cryo-EM Studies
• Development of a murine model of canine osteosarcoma
• Self-tunable mRNA circuit
• Differential gene expression in TCR signaling
• Impact of menopause on vascular response
• Comprehensive orthopaedic surgery pain management
Impact and applications:
Enhances drug design, advances cancer research, controls protein levels, improves leukemia treatment, aids menopause-
related health, improves surgical pain management
Chemical and material sciences
Key projects:
• Catalysts for sustainable acrylate chemicals
• Grafting approach for maize using radiotracer imaging
• Development of carbon-11 PET radiotracers
• 4D printing for atrial occluders
• Biofilm inactivation adjuvants
• Metal-organic frameworks for gas storage
Impact and applications:
Promotes sustainable processes, enhances agricultural productivity, advances medical imaging, customizes implants, ensures food safety, improves gas storage
Environmental and agricultural research
Key projects:
• Ancestral effects on human thermoregulation
• Optical metamaterials for sustainability
• Enzyme for oils and biofuel
• Drought-resistant crop varieties
• Soil microbial communities
• Water conservation techniques
Impact and applications:
Advances climate adaptation, enhances sustainable agriculture, increases biofuel production, improves crop resilience, enhances soil health, promotes water conservation
Engineering and technology
Key projects:
• Fast-charging stations for electric vehicles
• Microfluidic platform for tumor cells
• Radiology education app
• Autonomous drone systems for agriculture
• Smart grid technologies
• Innovations in 3D printing
Impact and applications:
Boosts EV infrastructure, advances cancer detection, enhances medical education, improves agricultural monitoring, optimizes energy distribution, revolutionizes manufacturing
Neuroscience and immunology
Key projects:
• Modulation of motor behavior
• Silencing-deficient mutants in neurospora
• Long-term immunity factors
• Brain plasticity and cognitive function
• Neurodegenerative diseases and treatments
• Immune system responses to pathogens
Impact and applications:
Advances motor control understanding, improves fungal genetics, enhances vaccine development, improves mental health therapies, advances neurodegenerative treatments, enhances immune response research
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