The inaugural University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Research Day will not only showcase the variety of research conducted within the College, the event will share insights about grants and programs for faculty, staff and students.

CAFNR Research Day will be held Friday, May 7, and will be completely virtual. Registration is required for the event.

“We’re incredibly excited to be able to offer this opportunity for our faculty, staff and students,” said Sarah Low, associate professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) and chair of the CAFNR Research Council. “The purpose of CAFNR Research Day is to foster and celebrate research in agriculture, food and natural resources within CAFNR and in Missouri.”

Shibu Jose, associate dean in the CAFNR Office of Research, will kickoff the event at 8:45 a.m. with a brief welcome and introduction of the CAFNR Research Council members. Numerous presentations and discussions will follow.

The morning session begins at 9 a.m. and will focus on student research. It will include a presentation on the Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders for Science (PTLS) Scholars Program and followed by an hour-long session on research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Those talks will be followed by a discussion of USDA funding opportunities for graduate students.

“CAFNR students, both undergraduate and graduate, play a vital role in our research story,” Low said. “This is a great opportunity for us to share how students can not only get involved but also help them find potential funding opportunities.”

The research speaker session begins at 11 a.m. with the keynote speaker, Daniel Marenda, program director in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Biological Infrastructure. Marenda’s presentation will center on postdoctoral and infrastructure funding opportunities.

“We are very fortunate to welcome Dr. Marenda to our inaugural event,” Low said. “He will offer keen insights into strategies, assessments and feasibility of securing postdoctoral funding.”

Discussions on grant resources and NextGen Precision Health will follow the keynote speaker. Tom Spencer, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences and interim vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, will give the NextGen presentation.

A full list of speakers, topics and the complete schedule are available on the CAFNR website.