Grand Rapids buzzed with energy during Tech Week 2025, a city-wide celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the region’s expanding tech ecosystem. From panels and competitions to networking events, GVSU’s College of Computing faculty, students, and alumni were leading by showcasing how GVSU bridges research, education, and industry to shape the future of technology.

On September 17, Dr. Zachary DeBruine earned second place for his startup, Herd Social, at the Startups at Sundownpitch competition before 200+ entrepreneurs and investors. The recognition sparked invitations to pitch at Startup Grind and the HealthTech Showcase, and Herd Social is now advancing through the Conquer Accelerator to scale solutions for families navigating genetic testing and healthcare systems. The event gave GVSU strong visibility in the region’s startup ecosystem and showed how alumni and faculty are leading in health tech innovation.

On September 16, the College of Computing partnered with the Van Andel Institute to host Tech Talks: Health & Technology, spotlighting how AI is transforming medicine. Dr. Kevin Maupin, assistant professor in the College of Computing, delivered a deeply personal presentation inspired by his son’s leukemia diagnosis. His research explores how AI can analyze electronic health records and medical imaging to predict personalized cancer therapies, while keeping clinicians central to decision-making. Maupin emphasized that AI should never replace physicians, but instead serve as a powerful tool to guide care and improve patient outcomes. Maupin’s work demonstrates how AI can be integrated into health care in ways that prepare future professionals to apply it responsibly and effectively.

On September 19, a panel discussion showcased how GVSU students turn classroom skills into industry-ready impact. Assistant Dean Rachel Salinas highlighted internships, senior capstones, and student-led projects that solve real-world problems in partnership with organizations like The Pi Academy. The conversation emphasized collaboration across academia, industry, and nonprofits to build a more inclusive and skilled regional tech workforce. Panelists agreed that students benefit most when education and innovation are directly connected to community needs.

During Tech Week Grand Rapids on September 18, the College of Computing welcomed a full house of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, faculty, and students for an afternoon dedicated to innovation and research. The program opened with a keynote from Dr. Samir Iqbal, associate dean of research, who delivered “Tech Transfer from Lab to Market.” His talk explored how research discoveries can become real-world solutions, emphasizing translational research, entrepreneurial skills, and the importance of industry–academia partnerships. He highlighted pathways like NSF’s I-Corps, America’s Seed Fund, and structured customer discovery as critical tools for moving ideas beyond the lab.

Following the keynote, Dean Marouane Kessentini and Dr. Jonathan Engelsma introduced the Hub for Advanced Computing Research (ACR) and shared updates on the proposal for GVSU’s first Ph.D. program in Computing. Together, they outlined how the hub will bridge academia and industry through collaborative projects, shared infrastructure, and a talent pipeline that directly supports Michigan’s growing tech workforce. They also emphasized how a Ph.D. program in computing will fill a major gap in West Michigan by strengthening research capacity and preparing the next generation of highly trained computing professionals.

The session concluded with lightning talks from five of the College’s newest faculty members: Dr. Paul Fink, Dr. Naureen Hoque, Dr. Talha Khan, Dr. Rahat Rafiq, and Dr. Tiehang Duan. Each highlighted their research on emerging technologies at the intersection of computing and major Michigan industries – from AI-enabled accessibility tools and wireless security, to mixed reality workspaces, brain signal decoding, and environmental monitoring. These talks showcased the breadth of computing’s impact across healthcare, agriculture, automotive, and beyond, underscoring the College’s role in shaping innovation that drives real-world impact.

We left the event energized about the future of computing research at GVSU and the opportunities yet to come. These opportunities will not only advance discovery, but also strengthen Grand Rapids’ role as a growing tech hub.

Capping off September 18, Dean Marouane Kessentini and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Laura Aikens introduced GVSU’s Blue Dot Ecosystem, highlighting its role as a bridge between academia and industry. Kessentini emphasized how Blue Dot will not only prepare every GVSU student with essential digital skills, but also strengthen West Michigan’s position as a tech hub by aligning research and workforce development with industry needs.

The program featured Cindy Warner, founder and CEO of 360ofme and a member of the College of Computing’s National Executive Advisory Board, who spoke on how AI is reshaping industries from pharmaceuticals to automotive and construction. Professor Paul Fink closed by highlighting his research on accessibility in autonomous vehicles, showing how AI can expand independence for people with disabilities. Together with Dean Kessentini, they reinforced the College’s vision that AI must be inclusive, practical, and built through strong industry–academic partnerships.