A big welcome back to all of our students, faculty, and staff! We are glad to have everyone back on campus and can’t wait to see what the semester holds.

A quick update about the blog format: We will now be sending CNAS News as a monthly newsletter via email to all CNAS students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors. If you have something important to be added to the newsletter or are not subscribed but would like to be, please reach out via CNAS@MissouriState.edu. We will continue to update this blog with the relevant information and will be uploading links to the previous DISCOVERIES page so you can view the web version of the email newsletter there: https://blogs.missouristate.edu/cnas/discoveries/

Meet the leadership team

Top Row From Left: Sean Maher, Bob Mayanovic, Adam Wanekaya, Marc Owen, Ajay Katangur.

Bottom Row From Left: Kyoungtae Kim, Gary Michelfelder, Jason Ray, Bill Bray, Theresa Odun-Ayo, Jorge Rebaza, Magdalena Toda, Gale Lininger, Holly Keehner

CNAS Leadership Team

Dr. Magdalena Toda, Dean

Dr. Jorge Rebaza, Associate Dean

Dr. Kyoungtae Kim, Department Head, Biology

Dr. Sean Maher, Director of Bull Shoals Field Station

Jason Ray, Director of Center Resource Planning and Management (CRPM)

Dr. Adam Wanekaya, Department Head, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Ajay Katangur, Department Head, Computer Science

Dr. Theresa Odun-Ayo, Program Director, Cooperative Engineering Program

Dr. Gary Michelfelder, School Director, School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability

Dr. William Bray, Department Head, Mathematics

Marc Owen, Director of Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute (OEWRI)

Dr. Robert Mayanovic, Department Head, Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science

Gale Lininger, Executive Assistant, Dean’s Office

Holly Keehner, Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office

Student and Alumni News

Bats, brilliance and big wins – Mo State students and faculty participate in bat research symposium.

Curiosity in action – Three CNAS students pursue discoveries in physics, astronomy and material science.

Code with purpose – Computer science graduate students explore how AI can improve health care.

Pursuing engineering excellence – Two CNAS students explore how research drives innovation in health care and energy systems.

Bringing chemistry to life – CNAS students use research to help improve health and the environment.

A big opportunity on the horizon – Junior biology major Jordan Porsch receives NOAA Hollings award.

Biology student’s shares Ozark ecology inspired artwork with the community – Sophie Bryan, a senior in Biology, was recently interviewed by KY3 about her mural that can be found on Battlefield Road.

Faculty and Staff News

Meet the new CNAS Dean – Why Mo State already feels like home for Dr. Magdalena Toda.

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.

Connecting scientists through crystallography – Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk shares insights on thallium chemistry at international conference.

Building better engineers – Dr. Ryan Hutcheson receives Missouri S&T Faculty Achievement Award.

Dr. Tiglet Besara featured in Mind’s Eye – Creating new compounds to harness waste heat and energy.

A recognition of excellence – Ten CNAS faculty awarded endowed professorships.

From field camps to far horizons – Dr. Matt McKay recognized for program milestone in education abroad.

Josh Hess named new OEWRI assistant director – As an alum of Missouri State, Josh worked with former director Dr. Bob Pavlowsky in his time as a student. He graduated in 2019. Josh joined OEWRI in 2020 as a research specialist. In March 2026, he was named the new assistant director for the Institute.

Upcoming Events

August 17 Full Semester & First Block Classes Begin!

August 18 CNAS All College meeting, Roy Blunt Hall 102, 3:30 PM. This is for all current faculty and staff to attend!

September 9 CNAS Student Expo (student organizations), 11am- 1pm. Roy Blunt Hall Courtyard.

September 11 Biology Picnic

September 19 Fall Showcase. 8:45 – 9:30am at GSB Arena. 10:30am-12pm: Academic Open Houses.

September 23 CNAS Ice Cream Social. Roy Blunt Hall, 11am-1pm. All CNAS students welcome!

Sept 29-Oct 1 Public Affairs Conference 2026 – Public Affairs – Missouri State

October 9-10 Fall Break (offices open)

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S ASTRO BRIEF