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

The pre-med student with a major in Biological Sciences and Psychological Sciences hails from Kansas City, MO. She studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain, as part of her minor in Spanish. 

Since her freshman year, Leak has been carrying out research in the labs of Dr. Laura Schulz and Michael Roberts. Under the guidance of these professors, she is investigating the effects of the ACTC1 gene on placental development. Her research efforts have been supported by a Discovery Fellows Scholarship, the A&S Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program, and Cherng Summer Scholars program. Leak is an active member of the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

“I am so very grateful to be awarded this honor. I would like to thank my parents, professors, and friends for helping me be successful at Mizzou. My parents have encouraged me to excel at everything I do and have supported me when I fail. My professors have showed me how much we don’t know about the scientific world, but why it’s so rewarding to pursue. And my friends have shaped me into who I am by being my family away from home.”

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.