From Editorial Board
By Abhishek Jaiswal
PGDIM, IIM Mumbai, Lead Product Manager, Globus Learn Corp
The Research Mindset A Superpower for Problem Solvers
Growing up in the 90s in India, I believed “research” meant doing experiments in a laboratory. Words like “research” and “experiment” were often used interchangeably. It was only in my university years that I realised research can be done in many fields it simply requires curiosity and asking questions that matter. My mother often told me that everything around us was created by someone. That thought made me wonder if I could create something valuable someday. I later understood that research is exactly that creating something new or exploring what is yet unknown.
No real progress whether in knowledge or technology happens without trying repeatedly, keeping an open mind, and questioning what doesn’t seem right. In school, I often wondered why most sports shoes were heavy and looked the same. Years later, I found that lighter shoes could be made with advanced polymers that feel weightless on the feet. This showed me how research can solve problems we may not yet have the answer to.
Research is not confined to science labs. It drives innovation in technology, business, education, climate, and social impact. From shampoos designed for specific hair types to Formula 1 cars evolving from fuel hungry machines to hybrid engine marvels, change begins with someone willing to ask, “what can be improved?”
For students, this mindset can be a game changer in college applications. Prestigious universities look for independent thinking, problem solving skills, and meaningful contributions all of which research showcases.
Research isn’t just for scientists it’s a way of thinking that could open the door to your dream college.
Big Global News
1. Research Experience Now a Key Admissions Factor
Nearly one-third of admitted students at the University of Pennsylvania engaged in academic research, demonstrating that research involvement shows intellectual curiosity and strong analytical skills. This trend reflects colleges increasingly valuing diverse experiences beyond grades and test scores to identify well-rounded individuals.
2. Holistic Admissions Revolutionizing Selection Process
Colleges are shifting toward a holistic admissions approach, looking beyond just grades and test scores when evaluating applicants. This includes consideration of extracurricular activities, personal essays, diversity factors, letters of recommendation, and community engagement, fundamentally changing how students can showcase their potential.
3. Test-Optional Policies Create New Opportunities
Only 43 percent of applicants submitted SAT or ACT scores in 2022–23, a drop of more than 30 percentage points since before the pandemic. This dramatic shift means students can focus on showcasing research projects, leadership experiences, and unique contributions rather than standardized test performance.
Expert Mentor’s Corner
Dr. Pooja Bachani,
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences | STEM Educator & Research Mentor | Global R-Hub
Evolution in the Admission Process: Why a Research-Based Approach Is Necessary
Picture a 15-year-old today. By 2040, they’ll face a world reshaped by AI, climate change, and jobs that don’t yet exist. The old formula, cramming, chasing marks, ticking boxes, won’t prepare them. Admissions are evolving too.
The Shift: Beyond Marks
NEP 2020 calls for learning by doing, asking questions, and connecting dots. Prestigious universities (IITs, Ashoka, MIT, Harvard) want curious problem-solvers who’ve built apps, studied soil erosion, or explored AI ethics, not walking encyclopaedias.
Why Research?
Research cultivates skills to:
Question – Why does this happen?
Explore – Let’s dig deeper.
Create – What if we tried this?
A teen researching mental health stigma builds empathy. One tracking local pollution gains data skills and civic awareness. Not all technology involved in this process needs to be complex; simple spreadsheet applications or basic digital tools can be just as effective for organizing data, analysing results, and presenting ideas. Depth of thinking and execution matter more than bells and whistles.
The Hidden Win? Fairness
Not every child shine in exams. Priya writes poetry but freezes in tests. Arjun’s ADHD makes 3-hour exams torture. Kavya’s rural school has no labs. Research levels the field, through documentaries, community projects, publications, or coding experiments. Passion speaks louder than percentages.
The Time Is Now
For the upcoming generation of students, research is the key to thriving in college and shaping the future.
Impact of Student Research
1.From Teen Scientist to Global Changemaker:
At 17, Shree Bose’s groundbreaking cancer research won her the inaugural Google Science Fair, opening doors to global speaking engagements, a meeting with President Obama, and collaborations like co-founding Piper to inspire STEM learning.
Her journey shows how early research can spark a lifelong mission to innovate and improve lives.
2.Teen Coder Who Revolutionized Cancer Detection:
At 17, Brittany Wenger’s self-taught coding led to Cloud4Cancer, an AI tool detecting breast cancer with 99% accuracy—winning her the Google Science Fair and global recognition. Her work now expands to diagnosing other cancers, fuelling her path toward an MD-PhD in paediatric oncology.
Research Spotlight: Global R-Hub Student Project!
E-Waste and the Circular Economy: A Comparative Analysis of South Asian and Western European Countries
Student: Siri | Mentor: Dr. Neharika Shrivastava, Ph.D. | Global Faculty: Dr. Shivendu S.
The rapid digitization of economies has accelerated the generation of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide, with South Asia facing mounting challenges in sustainable management despite international sustainability frameworks. In contrast, Western European nations demonstrate higher collection and recycling rates, supported by robust circular economy policies. This study conducts a comparative quantitative analysis of e-waste generation, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market, and collection rates in selected South Asian countries from 2018 to 2022, using benchmarks from Western Europe. Secondary data from global and regional databases are analysed through descriptive statistics, time-series analysis, correlation, and regression models to examine relationships between GDP growth, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) scores, and e-waste indicators. Comparative tests, to evaluate performance disparities between the two regions. The study will propose actionable strategies for enhancing e-waste management and integrating circular economy principles, drawing on best practices from Western Europe to inform sustainable development pathways in the South Asian context.
Did you know?
1.Top Universities Pay Freshmen to Do Research:
MIT’s UROP funds undergrads, even in their first year, to work on real faculty-led projects.
2.High school STEM research builds lasting impact:
In programs where students in secondary school engage in six-month university-mentored research (e.g. in physics or astronomy), they report stronger confidence, sustained interest in STEM, and higher likelihood of pursuing scientific degrees later
3.Grades plus research matter in UCAS applications:
UCAS found that, among application components, the personal statement, where students often highlight research, is one of the most influential elements in UK undergraduate admissions
Global R-Hub Updates
The Wait Is Over!
Watch the latest episode of The Mentor’s Corner
We’re excited to launch a brand-new series where our project mentors share quick, insightful takes on research, innovation, and academics.
Short questions | Powerful answers | Straight from the experts guiding students worldwide.
Here is the first episode link.
Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode!
Mentors & Global Faculties:
1.Dr. Khushboo Sinha
Ph.D. Business Administration
Dr. Khushboo Sinha, DBA (UWS) & MSc (Royal Holloway), is a researcher and strategist blending psychology, technology, and marketing to drive innovation. Her work spans cryptocurrency adoption studies, project management roles at GSK, and sustainability initiatives, bringing expertise and vision to guide impactful projects.
2.Dr. Gaurav Jetley
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Dr. Jetley research health IT, healthcare analytics, and the impact of multimodal information on decision-making, using machine learning and econometric techniques. He teaches data mining, analytics, visualization, and machine learning, linking them to careers and real-world problem-solving.
Stay tuned for our next edition, where we introduce more powerhouse mentors
and global faculty shaping the future of research and innovation!
With every edition, we strive to bring you inspiring stories, impactful insights, and the latest updates from the world of research. Keep innovating, keep growing, and stay tuned for more exciting updates in our next edition!
Want to explore our programs or create your research journey with us? Connect with us and be part of the global research revolution! You can reach out to us at: globalresearchhub@globuslearn.com