Essay: At Loyola, researchers expand knowledge in the service of humanity

Loyola University Chicago is categorized as a Research 2 university in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. What does it mean to be a university with high research activity, and what does that mean at a Jesuit university?

It means that Loyola is home to leading-edge programs of research aimed at fostering solutions to the complex challenges that face our society. At our university, it also means that research forms the foundation of many educational programs that provide a robust experiential learning environment in which the next generation of researchers and scholars are trained.

Multidisciplinary programs of research led by talented faculty whose teams include students, fellows, residents, and professional research staff address contemporary challenges that range across medicine, nursing, public health, technology, sociology, economics, the environment, theology, law, and education. Guided by the Jesuit principle of working diligently and purposefully to expand knowledge in the service of humanity, much of this work, one way or another, addresses disparities in our society. We have researchers at the forefront of understanding the complex biology of a variety of diseases, including infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological and mental health disorders, and many types of cancer. These projects are defining paths to new, safer, and more effective treatments and methods of diagnosis.

We have researchers addressing the complex interplay between the environment and society. Loyola researchers interrogate large data sets to explore important facets of education, business, health care, and the criminal justice system, providing insights that can reduce polarity and inequity in our society. The spirit of magis and of seeking “God in all things” sparks our curiosity and drives an affinity for multidisciplinary approaches. Faculty at Loyola are highly accomplished and expert in their respective disciplines and also eager and willing to collaborate with scholars in other fields.

This collaboration is key to our current and future success, as the very nature of the complex challenges faced by individuals, communities, and societies demands a variety of perspectives and methods. Collaboration leads to deeper discovery and creates opportunities to more rapidly and effectively translate discovery to applied solutions. I am privileged to work with talented researchers across Loyola’s three campuses. Together, we are committed to facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, enabling faculty, staff, and students to address a range of contemporary scientific and social challenges with the goal of creating a better and more just tomorrow.