The Division of Biological Sciences congratulates Matthew Gao on being selected for the 2021 John I. Hardy Outstanding Senior in Biological Sciences Award.

Gao double-minored in Spanish and Psychological Sciences while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences. The Joplin, MO, native also squeezed in a summer Study Abroad experience at the Complutense University of Madrid.

Gao carried out research in the Thompson Lab for Regenerative Orthopaedics throughout his undergraduate career at MU. He presented his research on biomarkers from osteoarthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty at the national meetings of the Orthopaedic Research Society in 2020 and 2021.

In addition to his academic and research undertakings, Gao contributed to the Mizzou campus community as president of the MU Pre-Medical Society and of the Ping Pong Club and was a resident assistant for the Missouri Scholars Academy during the summer of 2019. He gave back to the Columbia community by volunteering at the Christian Campus House Ministry, Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, and Meals on Wheels.

“One of my favorite Mizzou memories was meeting Dr. Mun Choi in person after emailing his secretary back and forth for three months. When I finally sat down with him, we had a thought-provoking conversation spanning a range of topics. I won the Mr. Christian Campus House competition, in part, because Dr. Choi made a cameo in my video submission,” shared Gao.

Gao will be attending medical school at MU next year.

The award is given annually to one or more outstanding junior or seniors recognized for their academic achievements, the quality of their independent research projects, and their extracurricular contributions to the division and to the university. This award is made available by an endowment established by Thora Hardy in memory of John I. Hardy.