A Houston High School graduate was among 42 students from the University of Missouri System presenting projects April 4 at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.
Caroline Dunn, a senior majoring in psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, presented her research, “Examining polar growth in Agrobacterium may improve understanding of growth in human pathogens.”
The annual event gives students an opportunity to share with state elected officials the wide variety of undergraduate research and innovations taking place across the university system.
“As the state’s only public research university, our students are provided unique opportunities to work alongside our talented faculty to conduct cutting-edge and groundbreaking research on our four campuses every day,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “These experiences, which range from science to medicine to the humanities, help to prepare our students for graduate and professional studies at prominent universities as well as careers in leading industries.”
The student researchers were selected in a competitive process to present their projects to Missouri’s elected officials. The group included 21 students from the University of Missouri-Columbia, 12 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, seven from Missouri University of Science and Technology and two from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“Student engagement in research projects with faculty members at each of our campuses is a staple of the undergraduate academic experience and enhances student outcomes,” said Bob Schwartz, interim UM System vice president for academic affairs, research and economic development. “The experience exposes students to the wonders and possibilities of research and innovation, and helps develop them as future scientists and entrepreneurs whose discoveries could result in new technologies and businesses, and improve the quality of life for Missourians.”
Students highlighted the broad spectrum of research conducted at across the UM system’s four campuses including research in the areas of education, health, agriculture, biotechnology, transportation and infrastructure, social services and economic development.
Dunn is the daughter of Tom and Dee Dee Dunn of Houston.