Dr. Cynthia Bainbridge joined Grand Canyon University in 2009 and currently serves as Director for the Office of Academic Research and IRB. Dr. Bainbridge earned her Ph.D. from the University of Utah, her M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from Colorado State University, and B.S. in Health Sciences from Boise State University. Prior to joining Grand Canyon University, she served as an assistant research professor in the College of Health at the University of Utah. Dr. Bainbridge has over 20 years of experience in higher education as a clinical/laboratory director and as a health science researcher. She has taught undergraduate and graduate level exercise physiology, sports nutrition, and research courses, and has worked extensively with masters’ and doctoral level student researchers. Her most recent research publications were in areas related to bone mineralization in young women and adults, sports nutrition, and elite athletic performance. She has served on numerous graduate student committees, and successfully mentored undergraduate and graduate students through clinical and research internships. As Director of GCU's Office of Academic Research and IRB, her focus is on providing resources and support in service to helping doctoral learners produce high quality research. Her belief is "every doctoral learner must challenge current knowledge and patterns of thinking, and work towards becoming an independent scholar".