The show explores important questions concerning the relationship between science and the Catholic faith. These include such topics as evolution, cosmology, neuroscience, quantum physics, and free will. The show also highlights the work of leading Catholic scientists as well as their reflections on how they integrate the worlds of science and religion in their life's work.
In this episode of the podcast Sr. Albertine Cevallos and Fr. Thomas Davenport join the show to discuss their journey from science majors at Caltech to vocations in the Dominican order. Sister Albertine is a Dominican sister of St. Cecilia who currently teaches high school science in Maryland. She discusses her time at Caltech, where she met Christians who witnessed to their faith by their joy and goodness. This ultimately led to her reversion to the Catholic faith and a calling to the Dominican sisters of St. Cecilia. Fr. Davenport, O.P., an American Dominican, physicist, and philosopher, discusses his time as an undergraduate at Caltech and his time at Stanford where he earned a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics and was simultaneously drawn to a vocation with the Dominicans. Both Sr. Albertine and Fr. Davenport discuss the many ways they now combine science and faith in their vocations.
Dr. Nuno Castel-Branco is a historian of science, culture, and religion with a focus on early modern Europe. Currently he is a research fellow of All Souls College at the University of Oxford. In this episode, Dr. Castel-Branco discusses his new book on the life and work of Blessed Nicolas Steno, The Traveling Anatomist Nicolaus Steno and the Intersection of Disciplines in Early Modern Science (Univ of Chicago Press). Steno is considered the founder of modern geology and Dr. Castel-Branco discusses his training in medicine and his early work in anatomy as well as his travels throughout Europe. Dr. Castel-Branco talks about the nature of Steno’s conversion to the Catholic faith and his continued interest in science following that conversion. Steno’s importance in helping foster the development of scientific networks in Christian Europe during the 17th century is also examined in this discussion. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Castel-Branco also maintains a substack called Stories of Science that examines the history of science for a popular audience.
Robert Scherrer, a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University and an SCS Board member, discusses what the standard cosmological model suggests regarding the future of our universe. Will it end with a bang or a whimper? He discusses the on-going search to detect dark matter and dark energy and the role they both play in the evolution of theuniverse. His research work focuses on cosmology, encompassing dark energy, dark matter, big bang nucleosynthesis, and the large-scale structure of the universe. He is also the author of a quantum mechanics textbook and haspublished several popular science articles and science fiction short stories. He also maintains a blog on science and science fiction.
Dr. Sodergren, a practicing psychologist at Ruah Woods Psychological Services in Cincinnati, delivers a talk entitled “Integrating Body and Soul: Principles for a Catholic Approach to Gender Dysphoria.” Dr. Sodergren is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and is a frequent speaker for professional and lay audiences on topics involving the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. In 2022, Dr.Sodergren contributed a chapter on the “Psychology of the Sexual Difference” to the book Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science,and Revelation published by the St. Paul Center . In this talk, he discusses the data behind the recent increase in gender dysphoria cases and how Catholic psychologists can best help individuals with gender dysphoria.
Dr. Matthew Ramage, a Professor of Theology at Benedictine College and a Scholar Associate of SCS, is the guest on this episode of The Catholic Scientist. Dr. Ramage discusses his research and writing on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI, with a particular focus on the dialogue between faith and science. He discusses his latest book, The Essential Guide to Ratzinger: The Man and His Message (OSV Press), as well as how he got interested in the intersection between science and Catholic theology. He also describes his latest project, The Two Books Network, which he hopes to be a resource hub for those interested in engaging creation from the heart of the Church. Further information on the Society of Catholic Scientists and the work it does can be found here . https://catholicscientists.org/
Dr. Laura Upenieks, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Baylor University discusses her work investigating the intersection of religious belief, religious practice, and attitudes toward science. In particular, she delves into the factors that shape how young people view matters of faith and science. She discusses how the level of perceived conflict is related to the level of trust individuals have in both scientists and religious leaders. With trust in authority continuing to erode throughout society in general, she offers possible ways to approach young people to build the connections that are necessary to help them better integrate faith and science. Further information on the Society of Catholic Scientists and the work it does can be found here . https://catholicscientists.org/
Dr. Stephen Barr, the President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, discusses the relationship between the Catholic understanding of Creation and the science regarding the Big Bang. Is the Big Bang “proof” of the Catholic dogma of Creation? Is the Big Bang the beginning of the material universe? What is the relationship between Creation and the origins of the universe? Did the universe actually have a beginning in time? Dr. Barr discusses these and other related questions in this episode. Further information onthe Society of Catholic Scientists and the work it does can be found here . https://catholicscientists.org/
Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President of the Catholic University of America (CUA), discusses the unique role that Catholic institutions have in the landscape of higher education as well as how CUA in looking to fulfill that role. Toward this end, he discusses recent initiatives launched at the Catholic University of America around science and faith including one on artificial intelligence. Dr. Kilpatrick also shares his professional and personal journey that led him to eventually being named the 16th president in CUA’s history.
Dr. Maureen Condic discusses the question of when human life begins and the arguments regarding the moral status of the human embryo. She also examines the state of current research on human embryos as well as ethical alternatives to embryo destructive research. Dr. Condic is currently the Ombudsman and Mediator for the Catholic University of America. Prior to that appointment, she was a faculty member in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine for over 25 years, where she directed the Medical School curriculum in human embryology. She is the coauthor of the book entitled Human Embryos, Human Beings (2018) and is the author of Untangling Twinning (2020).
What is the likelihood that intelligent life exists somewhere else in the Universe? What would the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life mean for the Catholic understanding that Christ is the means of Salvation? Would the existence of life elsewhere in the Universe undermine man’s special relationship to the Creator? Dr. Chris Baglow, Professor of the Practice of Theology at University of Notre Dame and author of Faith, Science, and Reason discusses these questions and more with co-hosts Dr. Steve Barr and Dr. Dan Kuebler. Further information on the Society of Catholic Scientists and the work it does can be found here .
Dr. Stephen Barr, the President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, speculates on what our bodies will be like in heaven. Wouldphysical bodies that resemble our current bodies in structure and function even be possible in the eternal realm of heaven? Reflecting on numerous Scriptural passages, the writings of Pope Benedict XVI, as well as what we know about death and decay in the physical world, Dr. Barr delves into one of the most fascinating questions about the afterlife. Further information on the Society and the work it does can be found here . https://catholicscientists.org/
Dr. Sofia Carozza discusses the promises and pitfalls of integrating neuroscience and faith during a talk she delivered at the Society of Catholic Scientists’ 2023 annual meeting. Dr. Carozza has a Ph.D. in Cognition and Brain Science from the University of Cambridge and is currently working on her M.D. at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. In this talk, she discusses the neuroplasticity of the brain and how it can respond to changes in our behavior over time. She draws on the Catholic understanding of the human person to reflect on what modern neuroscience has demonstrated about the brain and brain development.
Dr. Daniel Kuebler, a Professor of Biology at Franciscan University, talks about his recent book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism, which was published by Word on Fire Press. He and Dr. Stephen Barr discuss the order that undergirds the evolutionary process, the similarities between evolutionary history and Salvation history, and how best to understand the origin of man in light of both modern science and Catholic teaching. Dr. Kuebler gives an overview of why he wrote the book and why it is critical to provide resources for those who are under the impression that the science of evolution and the Catholic Faith are in conflict. Here is a link to the book in the Word on Fire bookstore .
Dr. David Chiang, an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, discusses what large language models (LLMs) can or can’t do in a presentation at the 2024 Society of Catholic Scientists annual meeting. Dr. Chiang’s research is in natural language processing, the subfield of computer science that aims to enable computers to understand and produce human language. In this timely talk, he examines how LLMs operate, the current limits of LLMs, and whether these limitations can be overcome by future developments in the field.
Dr. Nowak, a Professor of Biology and Mathematics at Harvard University, discusses his thoughts on evolution and particularly the role of cooperation in the evolutionary process. He examines how evolution is both ordered and mathematical, which points toward the existence of a rational God who stands behind the evolutionary process. Dr. Nowak's research focuses on the mathematical description of evolutionary processes, including the evolution of cooperation and human language, as well as the dynamics of virus infections and human cancer. He is also the author of two recent books published by Angelico Press. Within offers a poetic reflection on the intersection of science, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. The second book Beyond is a philosophical quest folded into an epic exploration of the world.
Dr. Nowak, a Professor of Biology and Mathematics at Harvard University, discusses his thoughts on the nature of mathematics as the language of science. He examines how the truths of mathematics point to the existence of immaterial realities and how mathematics reflects the mind of God. Dr. Nowak's research focuses on the mathematical description of evolutionary processes, including the evolution of cooperation and human language, as well as the dynamics of virus infections and human cancer. He is also the author of two recent books published by Angelico Press. Within offers a poetic reflection on the intersection of science, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. The second book Beyond is a philosophical quest folded into an epic exploration of the world.
Dr. Stephen Barr, the President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, discusses the history of the interaction between science and Christianity in the West. In particular, he discusses how the Catholic Church fostered the growth of science from the Middle Ages onward as well as how the myth of conflict between the Catholic Church and science arose. \Further information on the Society and the work it does can be found here . https://catholicscientists.org/ If you are interested in Dr. Barr's work in Science and Faith, a link to his book, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith can be found here .
Dr. Kenneth Kemp, an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, discusses human evolution in light of the first Papal encyclical to discuss human evolution, Humani generis. He also gives an overview of his most recent book, The Origins of Catholic Evolutionism, 1831–1950 (CUA Press), which details how the Church engaged with evolutionary thought in the 19th and early 20th century.
In the second of two episodes, Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Chief Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the solar system and how scientists are able to get data from various NASA missions to address this question. Dr. Lunine is a member of the NationalAcademy of Sciences and is one of the founding board members of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Chief Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses his career in planetary science as well as his faith journey as a scientist. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is one of the founding board members of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
