The University of Missouri houses a Research Reactor Center (MURR), which is home to a tank-type nuclear research reactor that serves the University of Missouri in Columbia. As of March 2012, the MURR is the highest power university research reactor in the U.S. at 10 megawatt thermal output. The fuel is highly enriched uranium.

Today, as part of its preparedness plans, the University will hold an emergency simulation drill that will involve a number of agencies, including the Columbia Fire Department, Boone County Office of Emergency Management, MU Police Department, MU Health Care, MU Environmental Health and Safety and MURR staff.