On Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, the Health Research Institute hosted leaders and directors from across academia, healthcare, and industry for the Translational Health Engineering Research Center (THERC) in Grand Rapids.
The event celebrated the opening of THERC as part of HRI’s broader initiatives to promote translational, interdisciplinary, and convergent health-related research, while inspiring education and outreach activities that advance health outcomes across Michigan and beyond.
Featured Speakers
Caryn Heldt, Executive Director of the Health Research Institute, welcomed attendees and shared the story of how THERC came to life. She recognized the many partners whose leadership and collaboration made the opening possible, including early champions from Michigan Tech, Michigan State University, and industry leaders in West Michigan.
“Starting THERC is the next step in increasing the translation of Michigan Tech research to clinical and industrial applications,” Heldt noted. “We want to see Michigan Tech innovations transform healthcare in Michigan and around the world.”
Attendees also heard meaningful remarks from President Koubek, Vice President for Research, Andrew Barnard, and THERC’s Senior Research Scientist, Bapi Pahar. Each speaker emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing Michigan Tech’s health innovation mission.
Caryn Heldt, HRI
MTU President, Richard Koubeck
Event Overview
The THERC inaugural celebration was held from 4-6 PM E.T. and began with a welcome and introduction from university leadership, followed by remarks from featured speakers highlighting the vision and collaborative goals of the new center.
Dr. Heldt described how THERC will serve as a “multi-institutional research ecosystem in West Michigan.” connecting researchers, clinicians, and companies to bring innovative technologies from lab to market.
Caryn Heldt, HRI
Research Vision and Networking
Dr. Pahar expanded on this theme, sharing his plans for developing new applied biomedical research projects and for fostering partnerships that accelerate real-world impact.
Bapi Pahar, THERC
Following the presentations, attendees participated in a networking session, where discussions centered on shared research interests, potential funding collaborations, and future student engagement opportunities.
Far right: Jeff Potteiger, GVSU and Miriam Vos, MSU & Corewell Health
Left to Right: Jeff Potteiger, GVSU and Lauren Jones, Mary Free Bed
From Left to rRght: Carrie Graveel (Van Andel Institute), Sarah Bodbyl (Van Andel Institute), Mike Davenport (MTU), Jeff Stone (MTU)
Community and Supporters
Many members of the community were also in attendance, representing companies such as BAMF Health, Corewell Health, Grand Valley State University, Mary Free Bed, Michigan State University, MichBio, Pine Rest, and Van Andel Institute.
To check out some of the companies and organizations that supported the event, visit the Company List of Supporters.
Building Partnerships
The inaugural celebration also served as a launchpad for future collaborations. By bringing together leaders from academia, healthcare, and industry, the event aimed to lay the foundation for long-term partnerships that will drive innovation in translational health engineering. Moving forward, THERC plans to expand its network of research collaborators and industry sponsors, pursue joint projects that address real-world health challenges, and create new opportunities for student engagement and workforce development.
Left to Right: LaReesa Wolfenbarger (MTU), Carrie Graveel (Van Andel Institute)
Left to Right: Michelle Shearer (MTU), Jeff Mackeigan (MSU)
From Left to Right, Jingfeng Jiang (MTU), Adam Alessio (MSU), James Mitchell (Mitchell IP Law)
As Heldt emphasized,THERC’s growth builds on HRI’s success over the past five years, including doubling research expenditures to more than $6 million and expanding its community to 58 members across 14 departments and four colleges. These next steps will strengthen THERC’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary research and applied innovation in Michigan and beyond.
Learn More
This milestone marks an important step in advancing collaborative research through THERC. More information can be found on the THERC Inaugural Celebration Event Webpage.
Picture of the Husky Statue in front of the H-STEM building.
About the Health Research Institute
The mission of the Health Research Institute is to establish and maintain a thriving environment that promotes translational, interdisciplinary, and increasingly convergent health-related research and inspires education and outreach activities. Currently HRI has 64 members, 14 different collaborative departments, 5 full-time staff, and has received over $6 million in research expenditures.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 flagship technological research university founded in 1885. Our campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. To learn more about Michigan Technological University, check out their website.
