Alex Vanover
Year in School
Senior
Major Degree Program / Department
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Barry Edwards, Biochemistry
Why did you want to become an ambassador?
“I always knew that research was going to be important to me. Getting hands-on experience in a real laboratory is completely different from what you learn in classroom labs, and getting that experience as an undergraduate would help me get a head start on becoming a great scientist. I became ambassador because I love working in research and want to encourage anybody who thinks scientific and experimentally give research a try.”
Bethany Moore
Year in School
Junior
Major Degree Program / Department
Public Administration and Policy
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Fiorella Carlos Chavez
Why did you want to become an Ambassador?
“Participating in research was the best experience of my Freshman year. I was able to develop skills in communication, leadership, and collaboration; meanwhile, I made lasting academic connections and gained personalized mentorship. I wanted to become an ambassador to encourage other undergraduates to pursue research opportunities. Coming to college, I thought “research” was solely defined by lab experimentation with test tubes and microscopes; I quickly learned that there is a vast space and great need for research in all areas of study. As an ambassador, I hope to demonstrate that people of all majors and all interests – whether STEM, humanities, or anything in between – have a place in undergraduate research.”
Chloe Rzeppa
Year in School
Senior
Major Degree Program / Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Ashley Curtis
Cole Vogt
Year in School
Senior
Major Degree Program / Department
Physics
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Haojing Yan
How can undergraduate research benefit you?
“I’ve been able to get into internships where I’m able to meet more researchers from varying fields, and I get to know what other research is like and possibly even explore my interests even more.”
Crystal Rein
Year in School
Senior
Major Degree Program / Department
Environmental Studies
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Alba Argerich
Why did you want to become an ambassador?
“When first posed with the common obstacles of starting research, it was extremely intimidating, but the Office of Undergraduate Research allowed me to take a step-by-step approach to research which was very appealing. By breaking down the elements of research in easy workshops geared toward accessibility I knew that I could also influence individuals who may be overwhelmed with the idea of research.”
Devanshi Patel
Year in School
Junior
Major Degree Program / Department
Health Science
Faculty Mentor(s)
Gary Baker
Why did you want to become an ambassador?
“The desire to make it easier for freshman to get into research is how I reached out and became an ambassador.”
John Hagler
Kameron Hahn
Year in School
Sophomore
Major Degree Program / Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Laura Schulz
Why should students get involved in undergraduate research?
“I would recommend that you attend workshops. We have plenty of workshops through the Office of Undergraduate Research, as well as the S.T.A.R. program. If you attend five of these workshops, you receive a S.T.A.R which verifies that you’re interested in joining a lab.”
Kristen Barwick
Year in School
Junior
Major Degree Program / Department
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Antje Heese
Why is undergraduate research at Mizzou important?
“There are a lot of unanswered questions we have about biological systems and in biological research that need to be answered. I want to help to understand our growing population, and understand how to improve biochemical processes we already have.”
Leah Lepore
Year in School
Junior
Major Degree Program / Department
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Chris Lorson
Why did you want to become an Ambassador?
“The task of finding your niche of research can be a rewarding feat, but also serve as a daunting task. Being a point of contact as someone who has gone through the experience, I hoped to do something to make it more navigable for students who want to learn more about the realm of possibilities in research. By becoming an ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research, I can do just that.”