Inaugural Global Student Research Conference

Themed “From Research to Mission: Solutions that Make a Difference”

The first annual Global Institute for Research and Community Advancement Student Conference took place in April. (Photo by Darren Heslop)

Over 700 students, faculty and administrators from more than 18 Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities participated in the first annual Global Institute for Research and Community Advancement (GIRCA) Student Conference held under the theme, “From Research to Mission: Solutions that Make a Difference.” Two hundred and five undergraduate and graduate students from partner institutions, including Andrews University and universities across East, Central, and West Africa and the Philippines, demonstrated their excellence in research.

The event was held April 19–21 in a hybrid format, enabling both in-person and virtual participation for the global gathering. The structure created space for interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarly exchange and mission-driven research.

The conference opened each morning with a devotional presentation from Michael W. Campbell, director of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Department of Archives, Statistics & Research. Campbell set a tone that linked academic rigor with ethical responsibility, sharing, “God calls us to exercise critical thinking.” He affirmed that students should evaluate ideas carefully, avoid misinformation, and pursue scholarship marked by wisdom, kindness and integrity.

The first plenary presentation on April 19 was delivered by Colin Bruce, founder and CEO of ChronicDx, Inc., who discussed global health innovation, chronic disease management and the use of artificial intelligence in health care systems. Bruce shared a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from decades of leadership at the intersection of global policy, research, technology, service delivery and development finance. He spent the bulk of his career at The World Bank Group, where his roles included director of strategy and operations and senior advisor to the president. He was also special envoy at the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. Bruce emphasized that research should be “actionable, not just accurate,” encouraging participants to prioritize work that leads to measurable community impact.

In the plenary presentation delivered on April 20, David Trim, director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, presented key findings from the Global Church Member Survey, underscoring the critical role of research in informing the mission and strategic direction of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church. His presentation highlighted the importance of culturally informed and contextually responsive research methodologies in understanding the beliefs, values and practices of church members across diverse regions of the world. Trim further demonstrated how the systematic collection and analysis of data serve as essential tools for evaluating trends within the global church and for guiding the development of educational, spiritual and mission-focused initiatives.

The final plenary session on April 21 featured Martha Cameron, executive board member of the International Community of Women Living with HIV North America, whose compelling presentation drew from her experience as a woman living with HIV. Her address provided a powerful reminder of the ethical and human dimensions of research, emphasizing the importance of engaging and partnering with target populations prior to the development and implementation of research initiatives. Cameron challenged attendees to view research participants not merely as sources of data, but as individuals whose experiences, dignity and perspectives must remain central throughout the research process. Her presentation reinforced the value of community-engaged and participant-centered research approaches that foster trust, cultural sensitivity and meaningful impact.

Throughout the conference, student researchers also presented on a wide range of disciplines. These included behavioral science, business and management, health, STEM and artificial intelligence, education, and faith and transformation. Projects addressed topics such as digital health inequities, autism diagnosis disparities, language disorders in schoolchildren, occupational health challenges among agricultural workers, and innovations in mental and public health interventions.

Prudence Mange, a medical laboratory sciences student at Andrews and former volunteer emergency department assistant at Corewell Health, presented research titled “Bridging the Healthcare Digital Divide: Validating Low-Cost Screening Tools for Detection of Diabetes,” which focused on early diabetes detection in low-resource settings. Mange explained that the research aims to create opportunities for earlier intervention and healthier lifestyle adjustments. She described the conference as “an engaging experience aimed at connecting international researchers and exchanging ideas pertaining to solving global and communal challenges.”

The event enabled emerging researchers to present their work in a professional, international setting, strengthening their confidence and communication skills. Jenica Joseph, associate professor in the School of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Andrews University, noted that the conference helped build “a shared scholarly identity across institutions” and allowed students to experience the integration of faith and research in practical ways.

Hayley Rawls, an Andrews University student who presented “Characteristics of Electronic Clinical Communication with Parkinson’s Clients Participating in a SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program,” described the conference as “a highly educational and informative experience,” noting that it allowed her to present her work in a professional setting and engage with other student researchers. She added that participating helped her grow in confidence, explaining that when research is understood as serving others, “it makes the process a lot easier.

Additional faculty-led studies in physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences examined issues such as screen time, balance and chronic pain interventions. These projects illustrated how applied research can directly address global health disparities while providing students with hands-on research experience. Faculty emphasized that such work reflects a growing concentration on interdisciplinary collaboration, where science, health and social understanding intersect.

Students also reflected on the value of participating in a global research environment. Many described the conference as an opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives, strengthen presentation skills and understand how research functions across boundaries. Nathan Mathieu, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Andrews, noted that the experience helped him see the broader purpose of research, emphasizing the importance of using knowledge to “build each other up” across communities and countries.

“Research is in good hands! The student research conference demonstrated that our students have the desire and the ability to do complex research that is relevant and mission focused. The scholastic excellence, the research integrity and the professionalism was apparent in every presentation,” said Carlisle Sutton, program coordinator and sponsored research officer at Andrews University. “Beyond building research capacity through the dissemination of research, the conference also sought to advance the formation of interdisciplinary networks. The success of the conference reflected God’s guidance and blessings, as well as the collective commitment, collaboration, and shared vision of institutions, faculty, staff and students across the global network.”

The 2026 GIRCA Student Research Conference brought together participants from a diverse network of Seventh-day Adventist organizations. The participating institutions included the Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa, Adventist University of Africa, Adventist University of Central Africa, Adventist University of the Philippines, Andrews University, Babcock University, Bugema University, Ethiopia Adventist College, Helderberg College of Higher Education, Kanye Seventh-day Adventist College of Nursing, Maluti Adventist College, Mwami College of Health Sciences, Rusangu University, Solusi University, Universidade Adventista De Moçambique, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, University of Goma, and Zurcher Adventist University.

As the conference concluded, organizers and participants highlighted a unifying message: Research is most powerful when it connects evidence with service. GIRCA plans to make the gathering an annual event, opening it to more institutions of higher education in April 2027. The consortium is also working with Andrews University to deliver a post-graduate diploma in global research and community development for the faculty at affiliated institutions.