Merkel earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from UMSL and did research in the lab of Patricia Parker, then the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Zoological Studies.
LATEST IN UMSL Magazine
Search Filters
Five questions with Lawrence Sapp, Succeed student and men’s swimmer at UMSL
A native of Waldorf, Maryland, Sapp has been a member of Team USA Swimming since 2017.
Celebrate UMSL’s 60th anniversary with a journey through the university’s history and a look toward its future
As the university celebrates its 60th anniversary, we look back at UMSL’s early days and its impact over the years.
UMSL Marketing and Communications wins two CASE Best of District VI Awards in design
The design team was honored for UMSL Magazine as well as the Discover MORE Admitted Student Kit.
Cybersecurity major Cin Lam Mung aids his community in Myanmar through music
After Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, Mung recorded and sold copies of “Nang a Ding Om Den Ning,” an album of 12 love songs, to raise money for those affected.
College of Nursing’s Kim Werner on women’s health, translating research into real-world practices and more
Werner, an associate professor and associate dean of research, also serves as the principal investigator for Tritons United: Against Gender-Based Violence.
Conductor Maria A. Ellis offers her own brand of music education
With her company, Girl Conductor, the UMSL alumna has been taking her music education all over the country.
UMSL’s Advanced Credit Program expands college access for high school students
Over 30-plus years, UMSL’s ACP has grown into the largest dual-credit program in the state of Missouri and one of the most successful in the country.
With Pour Decisions STL, Kaje Sanford and Javia Gilliam are making cocktail culture more accessible
During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UMSL alumni created a mobile bar service that focuses on creating community.
How a team of experts at UMSL is helping to build a culture of literacy in schools across the St. Louis area
With the help of a $5.1 million grant, the College of Education is providing professional development and literacy tools to teachers at 38 schools across the region.