Saint Louis University (SLU) ignited a spark of meaningful discovery on 2 April 2025, with the annual Innovations in Creatives, Research, Extensions, and Technology (iCREaTe), spearheaded by the University Research Innovation Center (UnRIC).
With the theme “Transforming Society through Research, Innovation, and Extension,” the three-day program aimed to showcase and celebrate research and innovations with significant societal impacts, inviting the Louisian community to embark on the journey of discovery, reflection, and collaboration.
The Diego Silang Lobby at the SLU Main Campus buzzed with excitement as the opening ceremony commenced, punctuated by a stirring performance by SLU Glee Club. SLU President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, then welcomed the attendees, accentuating the university’s commitment to research and innovation. “Through rigorous research, we uncover new insights that pave the way for innovative solutions to complex problems. Our extension programs bridge the gap between academia and the community, ensuring that our findings and advancements benefit the society. Together, we are not just scholars and students; we are agents of change— dedicated to inspire learning, kindle hope, and uplift lives,” Fr. Sales said.
UNRIC Director, Richel L. Lamadrid, Phd, further ignited the audience’s enthusiasm, inviting them to witness the tangible outcomes of Louisian ingenuity. “We now have our research, innovation, and extension exhibit, where the passion and creativity of our faculty and students come to life,” Dr. Lamadrid noted.
Fr. Sales officially opened the Research and Innovation Exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of the three-day showcase. The exhibit featured a diverse range of research projects from students and staff from the School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS), School of Medicine (SOM), School of Advanced Studies (SAS), School of Accounting, Management and Computing Sciences (SAMCIS), School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), and SLU Community Extension & Outreach Program Office (CEOPO). Attendees engaged with the researchers, gaining insights into their groundbreaking work.
Following the opening, the first day of the iCREaTe 2025’s Research Conference commenced at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, with paper presentations from SONAHBS and STELA. This dynamic exchange of ideas will continue, with research outputs from SAMCIS and SEA taking center stage on the third day, ultimately leading to a celebratory closing ceremony at the Diego Silang Lobby, where the conference’s key achievements and outstanding participants will be acknowledged.
iCREaTe 2025 reinforces SLU’s commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals), demonstrating the university’s dedication to fostering research and innovation that drives positive societal change. Through this event, SLU empowers Lousian researchers to become catalysts for progress, embodying the core principles of innovation, creativity, research, extension, and technology. (Article by Aivian Culanag and Ydelvess Faith Morales, UIO Interns | Photos by Kyla Moreno, UIO Intern)
