The Catholic Scientist

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 ofFaith, 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.