November 6, 2026: Conferences
Yesterday, our BIOL305 students presented 14 posters they had prepared on topics ranging from prion-based diseases to limb regeneration in axolotls, and plenty in between. Stop by to check them out! They'll be on display through early next week.
Posters are a common form of scientific communication, particularly at large conferences where everyone can't have a turn at the podium (Dr. Navia will soon be attending a major Neuroscience conference with several students. Stay tuned for more on that!). Our BIOL305 course aims to teach the principles of clear, precise communication in biology and across the sciences. One key principle of poster design? A picture says a thousand words. More pictures, fewer words. I hope our students succeeded!
Science touches nearly every aspect of our lives, even when we don't see the research behind it. We may not encounter prion experiments or axolotl limb-regeneration studies in everyday life, but we certainly benefit from decades of scientific discovery. Just consider electricity, computers, light bulbs, advanced textiles, internal combustion engines, medications that extend and improve our lives, and enzyme-based cleaning products (we learned about those in a seminar just last week!). Even the ingredients list on your favorite snack reflects the work of food scientists, who develop ingredients to improve flavor, texture, and shelf life—and, of course, the bottom line.
Some argue that religion, too, influences nearly every aspect of our lives. Even those who aren't religious, they suggest, live in societies shaped by religious ideas about morality, human dignity, wellbeing, and even freedom. What do you think? I have a book on my shelf that I picked up years ago titled Can We Be Good Without God? It's a question people have wrestled with for centuries, perhaps especially as our world becomes increasingly secular. But what do we mean by "without God?" Do we mean "without a relationship with God?" or "in the absence of God?"
At Andrews University, we're interested in exploring the intersection of religious faith with all aspects of life, including the sciences. This coming week, we'll have an opportunity to think more intentionally about the intersection of faith and technology at the Andrews Autumn Conference on Religion and Science. This year's theme is Artificial Intelligence & Ministry—Peril or Promise? The conference will be held in the Seminary, beginning with a plenary presentation Thursday evening (November 12) at 7 p.m. in the Seminary Chapel. Friday's program runs from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by afternoon panel discussions and workshops.
Are you curious about the impact of AI? Interested in ministry and the many ways we serve others—through our careers, our communities, and our everyday lives? This conference offers an opportunity to hear how others are thinking about these important questions and to consider what this rapidly developing technology might mean for our future. I encourage you to check it out!
