Marquette University’s Office of Research and Innovation has proudly unveiled the recipients of the prestigious Explorer Challenge for the past year. These awards recognize groundbreaking projects that embody exploration, innovation, and community engagement. Each winning project exemplifies Marquette’s commitment to fostering impactful research and addressing pressing societal needs. Detailed information about each initiative is available on the Explorer Challenge webpage.
Laudato si’ and the Land & Water Acknowledgement: Re-mapping the Natural World into an Urban Environment
Spearheaded by Dr. Paul Gasser from biomedical sciences, alongside a diverse team including Dr. Bryan Rindfleisch (history), Dr. Samantha Majhor (English), Dr. Nate LeMoine (biological Sciences), and Dr. Jacqueline Schram (diversity and inclusion), this project is a testament to interdisciplinary collaboration. Working in partnership with Wisconsin Indigenous communities and Milwaukee organizations, the project aims to recenter nature within urban settings, most notably the Marquette campus. The core focus is on rebuilding and strengthening the crucial connections between humans and the natural world in an increasingly urbanized environment.
Inclusive Partnerships for Social Impact: A New Model of Community Engaged Research
This initiative, led by Dr. Abiola Keller from nursing, in collaboration with Dr. Dora Clayton-Jones and Dr. Kristin Haglund (nursing), Kelsey Otero (community engagement), Dr. Aleksandra Snowden (social and cultural sciences), and Dr. Kathryn Wagner (economics), pioneers a transformative approach to university research. It reimagines community engagement by prioritizing partnerships driven by the genuine needs and expertise within the community itself. By collaborating with local nonprofit and community organizations, the project seeks to address critical health challenges identified by the community, leveraging their inherent strengths to collaboratively develop effective and sustainable solutions.
Interdisciplinary Pro Bono Persistent Pain Program (3PM Program)
Headed by Dr. David Stocker (physical therapy) and featuring the expertise of Dr. Kavitha Venkateswaran and Dr. Lee Za Ong (counselor education and counseling psychology), and Dr. Christine O’Neil (occupational therapy), the Interdisciplinary Pro Bono Persistent Pain Program (3PM Program) addresses a significant gap in healthcare accessibility. This program provides comprehensive and readily available treatment for persistent pain through a unique collaboration between Marquette’s counseling psychology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy programs. By offering an integrated and holistic approach, the 3PM Program aims to enhance both the mental and physical well-being of patients, utilizing the combined multidisciplinary skills of students under the guidance of experienced professionals.
These 2024 Explorer Challenge winning projects underscore Marquette University’s dedication to fostering innovative research that has a tangible and positive impact on both the local and wider community. By championing interdisciplinary collaboration and community-engaged approaches, Marquette continues to be at the forefront of impactful research and innovation.
