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Dr. Cyren Rico in his lab.
Dr. Cyren Rico in his lab.

Dr. Cyren Rico featured in Mind’s Eye

His research uncovers how plants absorb nutrients and respond to environmental stressors, helping improve crop quality and food security.

January 12, 2026 by Emmy Dressler

Congratulations to Dr. Cyren Rico for his recent feature in Mind’s Eye magazine. Rico is the Roy D. Blunt Life Science Endowed Professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at Missouri State University.

Rico and his students use advanced analytical techniques to study antioxidants, amino acids and other essential nutrients in crops, such as wheat, barley and lettuce. His research examines how pollutants and environmental stressors affect plant growth, nutrition and resilience, with implications for sustainable agriculture and global food security.

Congratulations Dr. Rico!

The full story is now available online.

Excerpt:

Imagine passing a vibrant garden on a spring afternoon — a scene made possible by antioxidants and amino acids that nourish both people and the soil.

Driven by a commitment to improving food quality, Dr. Cyren Rico uses state-of-the-art methods to precisely measure plant nutrients and understand how even trace pollutants can disrupt plant health and productivity.

Read the full story


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Filed Under: CNAS faculty, News Tagged With: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Cyren Rico, Mind's Eye, Research

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