From undergraduate biology majors exploring the intricacies of human drug-metabolizing enzymes to biotech master’s degree students utilizing 3D tissue models of human organs to minimize animal testing, APU students are fully engaged in high-level research in their fields. With access to multimillion-dollar, industry-standard equipment, along with professor-mentors to lead projects, students conduct experiments, submit papers for publication and make original contributions to the sciences well before graduation.
This high commitment to research is reflected in APU’s status as the only institution in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) to earn a prestigious R2 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—the most influential rating organization among colleges and universities. Rather than choosing between a Christ-centered education or access to esteemed research opportunities, students find both at APU.
And opportunities only continue to grow. Earlier this year, APU announced a $2 million investment in research infrastructure and equipment. Among other upgrades, the university introduced a new bioengineering facility in September—the only one of its kind among CCCU schools. New equipment includes a Cell-Ink Bio-X 3D tissue printer, allowing students and faculty to construct tissue models of major organs, including skin, liver, heart, and brain.
“Our philosophy is to open doors for undergraduate students to use these powerful tools that would normally be off limits to them,” said Philip Cox, PhD, associate professor of biology and chemistry. “We want our students to have hands-on experience that will give them a competitive edge in their future workplace.”
If you glimpse inside the Segerstrom Science Center, you might find Cox and a group of student researchers gathered around the newly acquired triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system. The equipment quantifies drugs and other small molecules in complex solutions to better understand how the body processes prescription drugs.
Just one department over, under the guidance of Aisha Chen, PhD, assistant professor of engineering and computer science, a group of physical therapy, nursing, and computer science students combine skill sets to design and test video software. Their goal? To predict and prevent falls in nursing centers.
“How valuable are these research experiences? Completely invaluable,” said Chen. “Not only are they applying what they’ve learned in class, but they’re also acquiring knowledge and skills beyond that. They’re making impactful contributions as the next generation of Christian scientists.”
Unparalleled Experience
Alongside significant research opportunities, APU makes sure students are equipped with more than just a degree. Here, course matter comes to life through real-world projects and prestigious connections across fields. Whether a freshman writing their first computer code or a PhD student securing an internship, students graduate with robust experience that sets them apart in the job marketplace.
“My engineering students actually create the circuits they built the equations for, to see firsthand how they run,” said Chen. “The hands-on projects integrated throughout our programs set them up to enter the workplace a step ahead of their peers.”
Valuable training takes place off campus, as well. Many programs have long-standing relationships with prominent organizations, including big-name tech companies such as Raytheon and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Students in the School of Nursing—which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025—take advantage of a rich history of partnerships with key healthcare leaders in Southern California, including City of Hope and Huntington Hospital, part of the Cedars-Sinai health system.
“We have a unique philosophy of starting students in a clinical setting right at the beginning of their college journey, while most other programs wait until later,” said Renee Pozza, PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, dean and professor in the School of Nursing. “Because of this, they graduate with robust experience in a variety of settings, and 98 percent are employed within three months.”
Since Southern California is home to a vast range of clinical opportunities, students within these fields are able to experience diverse areas of expertise. The Department of Physical Therapy, for example, has around 600 clinical partnerships across the southwestern U.S.
“I don’t think there’s any better location to train,” said Samuel Girguis, PsyD, chair of the Department of Clinical Psychology. “Whether my students desire to work at correctional facilities, in early childhood settings, or with immigrant families, there is a huge diversity in clinical populations here, opening doors to their field of interest.”
The Master of Science in Biotechnology program takes industry connections to a new level. Through an ultra-applied-learning model, APU collaborates closely with prominent companies such as Amgen, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Medtronic to place students in professional workplaces throughout the duration of their program.
“This is a real boots-on-the-ground experience for them, not offered in your typical, campus-based program—it allows students to build a professional network in a hard-to-enter industry,” said David Dyer, PhD, executive director and professor in the biotechnology program. “I’ve had more than 200 students graduate with this kind of training, and 92 percent of them have moved successfully into careers within months of graduation.”
These practicum and internship connections bolster résumés and bring sought-after connections, resulting in alumni who are effective in complex jobs on their first day of hire.
Ethics Grounded in Truth
Artificial intelligence entering the workforce? Genetic editing of human genomes? The opioid epidemic? In today’s age of rapidly advancing technology and scientific solutions, fraught with ethical concerns and questions, it is perhaps more important than ever to train a generation of highly qualified, Christ-centered scientists who will navigate their fields with integrity and biblical wisdom.
So, as students peer through microscopes, engage in classes, and pursue internships, APU makes sure Christ is at the heart of all that they do.
“One thing that makes APU different is our faith,” said Dyer, who coaches biotechnology students in ethical decision making as they prepare to manufacture pharmaceuticals, design medical equipment, or manage the development of new products. “It’s one of my joys to be able to refer to a Christian worldview in the ethics performance area.”
The result? Students able to discuss and think critically about topics often pushed under the table or omitted from secular curriculums—students grounded in Truth.
Companies are beginning to notice and value the faith-based, ethical perspectives of employees who graduated from these programs. So much so that Gilead Sciences, the biopharmaceutical company that produces the annual flu vaccine, and several other prominent organizations have expressed an interest in establishing a regional industrial ethics center at APU.
“Our alumni are bringing a unique, deeply needed perspective into their fields,” said Dyer.
Practices Interwoven with Faith
Aside from the hot-topic ethical issues and questions of today, faith is also imbued into the everyday practices of APU students—whether nurses answering patient calls late at night or psychiatrists working through trauma with an abuse victim. As our students learn the necessary skills and knowledge for their field, faculty intentionally shepherd them to marvel at God’s creation and follow Jesus’ example.
In the physical therapy and nursing programs, this involves diving deep into Scripture, applying passages such as those about Jesus’ healing ministries to the patients and families they’ll serve.
Oregonstate News Blog 