Published on
Published 6/9/25
Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photo by Ben Stewart
At the University of Missouri, bold ideas don’t wait for graduate school. Blake Arciga, an undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, is already helping shape the future of cancer research. As a newly named 2025–26 Undergraduate Scholar by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Arciga is gaining national recognition, mentorship from leading scientists and the opportunity to share his work on a global stage.
The AACR Undergraduate Scholar Award recognizes standout undergraduates from across the United States who have shown a strong commitment to cancer research and supports their continued academic and scientific growth.
As part of the award, Arciga received complimentary registration to the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago — the world’s largest cancer research conference — and will also attend the 2026 meeting in San Diego. These events offer unparalleled opportunities to learn from leading experts, explore emerging discoveries and connect with scientists, clinicians and peers from around the world.
The award also provides one-on-one mentorship from established cancer researchers and invites scholars to share their work at the AACR Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition — helping Arciga build critical presentation skills and expand his professional network within the field.
“Having Blake in my lab has been an absolute privilege,” said Satyanarayana Rachagani, Arciga’s mentor and an associate professor of veterinary medicine and surgery. “He is driven and intellectually curious, and his dedication is truly commendable. Receiving the AACR Undergraduate Scholar Award is a testament to Blake’s commitment to cancer research. I don’t doubt that this recognition marks just the beginning of a remarkable journey in biomedical science for him.”
Arciga joins a select group of undergraduate scholars who are poised to become future leaders in cancer research. “I am incredibly humbled to receive this opportunity and to be a part of such an accomplished cohort of awardees from around the world,” Arciga said. “My project has come a long way from small beginnings, and this award reflects the exciting results of a lot of hard work and collaboration. I am grateful to my mentors, Dr. Rachagani and Dr. Kaifi, for helping me get this far. I can’t wait for what the future will bring.”