Dalton Lecture Series

Dr. Praveen Sethupathy

Stardust & Wonder

Dr. Praveen Sethupathy

Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m.

Bauman Auditorium

The George Fox University Department of Biological and Molecular Sciences presents the 12th annual Dalton Lecture.

What does it mean to be human? This lecture explores this question from both scientific and Biblical
perspectives, with an emphasis on awe. The lecture will identify shared values in both the scientific and
spiritual approaches to exploring human distinctiveness. Dr. Sethupathy will include concepts from
science/genomics that invite the audience to marvel at who we are and how it relates to our calling as image
bearers of God.

The public is welcome and admission is freeA George Fox Student Research Symposium and cookie reception will follow.

Additional Lecture

Science Lecture on Pediatric Cancer

Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Bauman Auditorium

Speaker Information

Praveen is Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University. He is also
Director of the Cornell Center for Vertebrate Genomics. He leads a research lab focused on tackling human
biology and disease, including cancer and diabetes. Praveen received his BA degree from Cornell University
and his PhD in Genomics from the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship
at the National Human Genome Research Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Francis Collins. Praveen has
authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications and been a reviewer for over 50 different journals. Praveen has
served on the advisory board of the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion in the American Association for
the Advancement of Science (AAAS), serves on the Board of BioLogos, is a frequent speaker for the Veritas
Forum, and a mentor in the Veritas Faculty Scholars program.


About the Dalton Lecture Series

The Dalton Lecture Series is sponsored by the George Fox University Department of Biology and Chemistry. These annual lectures feature eminent scientists who are Christian. The Dalton Lecture Series was born out of a desire to not only present world-renowned scientists to George Fox students and the local community, but to show how these scientists integrate their Christianity. Contrary to all-too-common thought, it is possible for a scientist to be intellectually engaged and be a Christian!

John Dalton (1766-1844) was a Quaker scientist best known for his pioneering work in the development of modern atomic theory. He remained a faithful Quaker and educator his entire life.

The Dalton Lecture is open to the public and free of charge. The Dalton Lecture is followed by a reception and a George Fox University research student poster session.

Previous Lectures

2023

Speaker: Dr. Deborah Haarsma, President of Biologos
Title: Should We Trust Science?

2020

Speaker: Ian H. Hutchinson, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Title: The True Story of Science and Faith

2019

Speaker: Dr. Richard L. Lindroth, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Ecology
Title: Climate Change and the Pursuit of Truth in a Post-truth World

2018

Speaker: Dr. Simon Conway Morris, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology University of Cambridge
Title: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe?

2017

Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, Astrophysicist
Title: Universe of Wonder: Galaxies, Stars, Planets, and Life

2016

Speaker: Dr. James Tour T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Computer Science, Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University Smalley Institute of Nanoscience and Technology
Title: Jesus Christ and Nanotechnology: The impact of faith on the life of a scientist

2015

Speaker: Dr. William Phillips, 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics
Fellow and group leader of the Joint Quantum Institute of the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Title: Ordinary Faith, Ordinary Science

2014

Speaker: Dr. Bill Newsome, Harman Family Provostial Professor, Director of Bio-X NeuroVentures and Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford University
Title: Brain, Mind and Free Will: Did My Neurons Make Me Do It?

2013

Speaker: Dr. Henry F. Schaefer III, Graham Perdue Professor of Chemistry Director, Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry at University of Georgia
Title: The Big Bang, Stephen Hawking and God 

2012

Speaker: Dr. Gerald Gabrielse, Leverett Professor of Physics, Harvard University
Title: God of Antimatter

2011

Speaker: Dr. Kent Thornburg, M. Lowell Edwards Chair, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, and Director of the Heart Research Center, Oregon Health & Sciences University
Title: New Science Wrestles An Old Problem: The Roots of Human Disease