As part of an ongoing reflection series, Saint Louis University leadership, faculty, and students weigh in on SLU's emergence as a preeminent Jesuit research institution.
"At SLU, not only do I have the chance to push the boundaries of my field of scientific endeavor, but I simultaneously get to realize a higher purpose for the work I do." — Jenna Gorlewicz, Ph.D.
Research at Saint Louis University fosters discovery and innovation in pursuit of humanity’s greatest questions
Saint Louis University is a premier Catholic, Jesuit research university where world-class researchers work across disciplines to answer tough questions and develop innovations that serve communities around the world.
The challenges of today demand solutions that are grounded in tried-and-true science, thoughtful scholarship, and a deep care for humankind. At SLU, cutting-edge research is central to our Jesuit mission of pursuing truth and serving humanity.
For more than 200 years, SLU has pioneered new breakthroughs, including the discovery of the life-saving properties of vitamin K. Today, our researchers are generating new knowledge that advances our understanding of the world and our place in it, developing new treatments and technologies that will improve quality of life for all, and examining our past and our present in order to chart a brighter future.
A Catholic, Jesuit R1 Research Institution
In February 2025, SLU earned the highly revered "Research 1," or R1, designation from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, affirming SLU’s place among the preeminent research universities of the United States. R1 designation is the highest classification that universities can attain for research activity.
This achievement is a major milestone in a journey that began with a key priority in SLU’s 2015 strategic plan: To grow the University’s research enterprise and raise its profile and impact as a leading Jesuit research institution. This ambitious work was bolstered by a historic philanthropic gift in 2018: $50 million from Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield to establish the SLU Research Institute.
Since then, SLU researchers have launched ambitious projects and established new interdisciplinary research centers that study a range of issues, from the development of new drugs and treatments to address conditions such as chronic pain to protecting our nation’s water resources.
Read more about the latest awards, publications and innovations by researchers at
Saint Louis University. The new center will advance geospatial research and foster collaboration that addresses societal challenges locally and globally. The center integrates emerging technologies such as GeoAI, quantum sensing, and advanced analytics to convert data into actionable insights and impact. When an urgent call for help came from the people of an impoverished Peruvian mining town, Saint Louis University answered. The residents of La Oroya, frustrated that no one believed their claims about pollution, sought rigorous scientific research to prove their case to the world. A 2005 study from Saint Louis University would document the elevated levels of toxic metals found in the blood of the children of La Oroya, helping to bring global attention to the plight of the people of the town. Bridget Guerin (A&S ’25) has been selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries Research is a central component of the student experience at SLU. Our undergraduate
and graduate students have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom
by working alongside faculty researchers on projects with real-world impact. From
launching small satellites into outer space to excavations of ancient castles, SLU
student researchers are making real breakthroughs every day.Research News
SLU Launches Next-Generation Geospatial Center to Power Innovation in St. Louis and Beyond
SLU Research Helps Bring Justice to Peruvian Children Poisoned by Toxic Smelter
Student Shaped By SLU Earns Fulbright Award
Students in Class, Researchers in the Lab
Research Strengths
Saint Louis University conducts quality research across a breadth of disciplines. Take a closer look at our researchers' areas of expertise.
Humanities Research
Humanistic inquiry is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach that reaches across the humanities, such as English, history and philosophy. Research in this area aims to make sense of the world and the richness of the human experience across different places and times.
Innovation and New Inventions
SLU researchers not only generate new knowledge in their labs and classrooms; they take it into the real world with inventions and novel approaches that have the potential to improve the quality of life for all.
Geospatial Science
Geospatial science is an interdisciplinary field that examines how location impacts a variety of complex issues, from health inequity to agriculture to national security. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry, and researchers at SLU are leading the charge to transform St. Louis into a national hub for geospatial research.
New Treatments
Our researchers strive to understand the mechanisms of disease so they can develop life-saving treatments to cure and prevent illness. From new treatments for liver disease to hepatitis B, the discoveries happening at SLU are transforming health and patient care around the world.Research Facilities
SLU has nearly half a million square feet of dedicated research space, allowing researchers to pursue their greatest research ambitions in state-of-the-art facilities.
Sinquefield Science and Engineering Center
Opened in 2020, the Sinquefield Science and Engineering Center is home to more than 10,000 square feet of dedicated research space, including several interdisciplinary research centers that study a variety of issues, from additive manufacturing and 3D printing to the digital humanities.
Learn more about our facilitiesEdward A. Doisy Research Center
With eight floors of labs and research space, the Edward A. Doisy Research Center is home to many of the University’s medical and health research centers, allowing researchers to work closely together on breakthroughs in treatment and patient care.
Learn more about our facilitiesLibraries and Museums
SLU is home to several libraries that house millions of physical and digital volumes, including specialized collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as several museums that showcase works from modern masters and an extensive collection of artifacts.
Learn more about our facilitiesData and Software Services
SLU is home to several research centers that collect and review specialized data, maintain large databases, and develop software solutions to support research projects.
Learn more about our facilities
Saint Louis University Research Institute
Established in 2018 following a historic $50 million gift from Dr. Jeanne and Mr. Rex Sinquefield, the SLU Research Institute has invested millions into SLU’s research infrastructure while building areas of research strength, fostering new collaborations and partnerships, and recruiting and retaining outstanding scholars and scientists.