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SLU-Madrid and Chaifetz School of Business Reflect on SLU's Mission in Madrid

by Emma Potts and Isaiah Voss on 03/21/2024

03/21/2024

On March 14-15, SLU-Madrid hosted the undergraduate research conference Mission Meets Madrid 2024 to celebrate research, creating a collaborative space between the Chaifetz School of Business and SLU-Madrid.

The two-day conference covered research topics ranging from virtual reality to comprehensive equity research and the effect of COVID-19 on church attendance.

Several Chaifetz faculty flew to Madrid for the event. Edward Jones Dean Barnali Gupta, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs Bidisha Chakrabarty, Ph.D., and SLU-Madrid interim executive leadership welcomed attendees on March 14 for a kick-off cocktail.

Rochelle Smith, SLU's vice president for diversity and innovative community engagement, also attended. Smith started a presentation-filled Friday with a discussion on her career path and the impact research can have. Smith said research can "prepare our students for real world careers, and empower them to become leaders." Through undergraduate research, students and faculty can grow as mentees and mentors. Saint Louis University's unique cross-cultural campus can "break down barriers" and allow for research that "transcends boundaries."

Woman with microphone reading script off her phone introduces keynote speaker on stage in auditorium.

Barnali Gupta, Ph.D. (left), presents keynote speaker Javier Lumbreras (right) to the San Ignacio Hall Auditorium audience. Photo by Ángel García.

SLU-Madrid alumni participated in a roundtable discussion, pointing to the importance of their research throughout their college years and how it has since transformed their professional careers.

Throughout the day, students, faculty, and staff from Saint Louis University — Madrid and other local universities learned from student and faculty presentations.

The keynote speaker and Chaifetz alumnus Javier Lumbreras concluded the mission-focused conference. Lumbreras is the CEO of Artemundi and is also an investor, developer, fund manager, philanthropist — and art collector.

He credited SLU for giving him a fulfilling and complete education. His work involves managing art as an alternative asset, and he has worked with art pieces from famous artists such as Picasso.

The 2024 installment of Mission Meets Madrid is only the first in what both campuses hope to be a yearly tradition between St. Louis and Madrid undergraduate students.