The Division of Biological Sciences congratulates Eric Lis on being selected as one of two recipients of the 2021 John I. Hardy Outstanding Junior in Biological Sciences Award. 

The Chicago native is double majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology. He joined the lab of Dr. Jacqueline Limberg with the Department of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology during his sophomore year. With Dr. Limberg, he has been conducting research on the contribution of central and peripheral chemoreceptors to glucose tolerance in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. His presentation of his research at the 2021 Cardiovascular Research Day was chosen for the Outstanding Poster Award.

Lis was selected as one of only ten MU students inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society as a junior in 2021. He is active in TEDxMU and, as assistant director, was part of a team that produced a three-part COVID-19 response podcast series. Still, one of his favorite memories of Mizzou remains his first homecoming weekend, when his parents first visited him at MU.

"This moment was special to me because I was able to experience Mizzou culture first-hand with my parents and friends and watch a traditional Tiger football game. I was also able to take my parents on a tour, showing them my excitement for the next four years of my life," shared Lis.

The award is given annually to one or more outstanding seniors or juniors 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.