We are proud to celebrate four outstanding undergraduate researchers from our lab—Zoe Ellis, Karch Knipp, Allison Lendman, and Kyliah Walker—who represented the University of Missouri–St. Louis at the 2026 Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City. This annual UM System event gives students the opportunity to share their research with state legislators and demonstrate the value of undergraduate research at Missouri’s public research universities.
Their participation reflects the depth of undergraduate research in the Department of Biology and the important role students play in advancing discovery through hands-on scientific inquiry. We are especially proud to see our students highlighting their work on such a visible statewide stage and serving as ambassadors for UMSL research excellence.
Congratulations to Zoe, Karch, Allison, and Kyliah on this well-deserved recognition!

Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City. Left To Right Back Row, UMSL Patricia Zahn, Lucy Roth, Samuel Voell , Karch Knipp, Kyliah Walker, Greg Ketcherside, Zoe Ellis, Jesse Bier, And Kate Votaw. Front Row Left To Right Bryanna Deatherage, Lorah Crame And Allison Lendman.

Zoe Ellis Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Zoe Ellis Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Karch Knipp, Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

5Karch Knipp, Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Karch Knipp, Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Allison Lendman Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Kyliah Walker Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Kyliah Walker Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.

Kyliah Walker Undergraduate Research Day At The Missouri State Capitol In Jefferson City.