Research Interest Groups | Research, Innovation & Impact

Research interest groups (RIGs) are grassroots, faculty-led communities of scholars that foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, research ideation, public engagement and academic leadership.

Most RIGs are open to research and teaching faculty, staff, undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs. Any restrictions on membership will be included in the description.

Complete our brief form if you would like your RIG listed below.

Please email us at muresearchprodev@missouri.edu with questions and updates.

Mizzou RIGs

Updated Feb. 5, 2025

Description	Areas needed
Artificial Intelligence We are launching this new RIG to bring together research and creative activity in AI and machine learning at Mizzou. Join us to learn and collaborate with others in a highly interdisciplinary environment. Discussion topics include, but are not limited to, promising research and funding opportunities; AI development and innovation; applications of AI to widely varied problems; and ethical use of AI. Meetings: Complete our brief form to be notified about upcoming meetings. Contact: Clintin Davis-Stober, Frederick A. Middlebush Professor of Psychology stoberc@umsystem.edu	Investigators and creators from across campus who are researching and/or using AI technologies and methods
Family and Relationships Research Network of Missouri (FARR-net) FARR-net is composed of faculty, students and research and extension specialists affiliated with the UM System. Scholars in the network conduct research with diverse families in all stages of life on important relational processes such as harmony, conflict, resilience, interpersonal violence, positive parenting and child development. The aim of our research is to learn more about close personal relationships and improve the lives of Missouri youth, families and relationships over the lifespan. Meetings: We meet six times a year at 11 a.m. over Zoom on the second Friday of September, October, November, February, March and April. Contact: Nicole Campione-Barr, professor, psychological sciences campionebarrn@missouri.edu	Scholars from just about any social, behavioral and/or health science discipline who study the importance or influence of close, interpersonal relationships Current member disciplines: psychology, interpersonal communication, human development and family science, sociology, psychiatry, social work, etc.
Hand and Limb Optimization Research Group We are a group of orthopaedic hand surgeons with grant-funded research seeking to understand patient perspectives on their care and answer questions related to peripheral nerve recovery, limb optimization in patients with amputation and targeted muscle reinnervation and other areas. Meetings: First Monday of every month, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, Room 4070 (Zoom option available). Contact: Daniel London, assistant professor, orthopaedic surgery d.london@health.missouri.edu	Physical medicine and rehabilitation, occupational therapy, psychology and bioengineering
Interdisciplinary Reproduction and Health Group Seminar Series (IRHG) The goal of IRHG is to highlight transdisciplinary precision research taking place in the reproductive health field, provide opportunities for collaboration among researchers to build their own research efforts and promote clinical/researcher activity across the University of Missouri System and our partners. The IRHG was established through a faculty-driven, grassroots effort in 2016 to develop an integrative, interdisciplinary program that transcends traditional departmental, college and UM System boundaries to foster excellence in reproduction, health research and education at Mizzou. Meetings: First Wednesday of every month (invited speaker seminar) and third Wednesday of every month (work-in-progress seminar) at 4 p.m., Atkins Seminar Room, NextGen Precision Health building Contacts: Wipawee Winuthayanon, associate professor, obstetrics, gynecology and women's health w.winuthayanon@health.missouri.edu Mackenzie Lynch, program coordinator, NextGen Precision Health lynchmm@umystem.edu	The overarching theme of the IRHG is to address broad challenges to reproduction and health of humans and animals by conducting basic, clinical and translational research and training the next generation of scientists. We employ integrative and multidisciplinary approaches to conduct cutting-edge research in reproduction, genomics and health; optimize opportunities for training in those fields; and facilitate transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the classroom, clinic (human and veterinary), field (animal agriculture and wildlife management) and community (information, policy and education).
Neural Control Working Group We are interested in neurophysiology as it relates to how the nervous system (both central and peripheral) controls physiological systems. We strive to train the next generation of neurophysiologists through immersion in cutting-edge neuroscience techniques. We range from investigators trained on single cell approaches through to whole systems physiologists. Meetings: Journal clubs are every other Tuesday in the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center conference room 132;. Investigators from PIs to undergraduate trainees present new research articles and/or projects and grants in progress. Contact: Carie Boychuk, associate professor, biomedical sciences boychukc@missouri.edu	Physiology and neuroscience
NextGen Cardiovascular, Muscle and Metabolism Science Seminar We highlight transdisciplinary precision research taking place in cardiovascular, muscle and metabolism fields; provide opportunities for collaboration among researchers to build their own research efforts; and promote clinical/researcher activity across the University of Missouri System and our partners. Meetings: Noon on the second Monday of each month, Atkins Seminar Room, NextGen Precision Health building; see our website for more details Contacts: Scott Rector, professor, nutrition and exercise physiology and medicine rectors@health.missouri.edu Mackenzie Lynch, program coordinator, NextGen Precision Health lynchmm@umystem.edu	Anyone interested in studying cardiovascular, muscle and metabolism science and similar or developing topics within these fields
NextGen Neuroscience Meetup This casual, friendly monthly event facilitates interdisciplinary conversations among University of Missouri researchers at all levels. Join us for food, beverages and socializing. Meetings: 4:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, Atkins Seminar Room, NextGen Precision Health building; see our website for more details Contacts: Smita Saxena, professor, physical medicine and rehabilitation smitasaxena@health.missouri.edu Mackenzie Lynch, program coordinator, NextGen Precision Health lynchmm@umystem.edu	Students, faculty and staff interested in learning about neuroscience and relative topics within the field, including imaging, data science and others