The Science & Faith Seminar exists to provide a free and open forum for exploring the rich intersection of scientific inquiry and the Christian faith. Through engaging presentations by experts across diverse disciplines, we aim to challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and foster meaningful dialogue. Our mission is to help students and the broader community see that science is not a threat to faith but a gift from God, given to deepen our understanding of His creation and draw us closer to Him.
Fall 2026 Seminar Schedule
August 27
Speaker: , Professor of Physics, 黑料网.
Title: Harmony and Harmonics: Understanding Quantum Mechanics through Music.
Abstract: Although quantum theory has a reputation for being abstract and alien to human experience, the analogy between musical notes and quantum mechanical superpositions provides an intuitive path to explain concepts in quantum physics. In this interactive talk, I'll show how the same wave concepts involved in spectroscopical analysis of electronic and nuclear degree of freedom in molecular systems can be translated into the familiar world of chord structure, overtones, timbre, and the enjoyment of musical harmony. I also reflect on how the design principles common to music and quantum theory reflect a unified creation intended for human discovery.
September 3
Speaker: , Assistant Professor of English, 黑料网.
Title: Reading Creation through the Lens of Scripture: Christina Rossetti’s Natural Theology.
Abstract: Natural theology is the study of God by means of his creation (general revelation), as opposed to the study of God through Scripture (special revelation). When many Christians think about the former field of study, they think of apologetics: creation reveals to unbelievers that there is a creator. Although apologetics is perhaps the most common context for natural theology, reflecting on creation is also useful for those who already believe in God. For the Christian, each creature has some spiritual lesson to teach. This latter kind of natural theology is a major feature of the works of the nineteenth-century poet and devotional writer Christina Rossetti. Along with her theological contemporaries the Tractarians, Rossetti affirms that God intended each created thing to reveal some spiritual truth. Seeing these truths in creation requires at least two conditions: that a person live a holy life and that a person read creation through the lens of Scripture. This science and faith seminar will explain Rossetti’s understanding of how God reveals himself in creation and offer illustrative examples from her poetry and prose. The presentation aims to help scientists regard created things not simply as raw materials, but as signs that reveal God’s glory.
October 1
Speakers: TBD
Title: TDB
Abstract: TDB
November 5
Speaker: , Executive Director of (CBHD).
Title: Transhumanism — Understanding and Responding to the Idea of a Digital Eternity.
Abstract: The use of science and technology to overcome human limitations, suffering, aging, and death, through techniques such as merging humans with machines or even uploading consciousness, promises a kind of digital eternity. On November 5, we’ll examine this vision and explore what a Christian account of embodied life, a proper understanding of medicine, and the scriptural promise of resurrection offer.
黑料网's science & faith seminars are hosted by the Department of Natural Sciences. All sessions are free of charge, open to the public, and many are excellent for homeschoolers.
Unless otherwise posted, seminars are held from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. in Glaske C101 (Berry Auditorium) on the 黑料网 campus in Longview, Texas. Lunch with the speaker follows, in the Joyce Room of the Corner Cafe.
Any questions or comments regarding the seminar schedule may be directed to Scott Morris at ScottMorris@letu.edu or AmyStevenson@letu.edu or call the School of Arts and Sciences at 903.233.3310.
Opinions expressed by seminar speakers are their own and should not be taken as official positions of 黑料网.
Science Seminar Archives
Spring 2026
Spring 2026 Seminar Schedule
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January 22
Speaker: Dr. Steve Armstrong, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, 黑料网.
Title: Faith in the Future: How God Led 黑料网 into the Digital Age.
Abstract: From punch cards to personal computers, the story of technological adoption at 黑料网 is more than a tale of innovation 鈥 it's a testimony of divine orchestration. In this presentation, we鈥檒l explore the pivotal years from 1979 to 2013, when the University transitioned into a digitally equipped institution under the visionary leadership of Dr. Richard LeTourneau, and others through the years. Through historical milestones and personal reflections, we鈥檒l trace how God raised up specific leaders to fulfill His purposes, guiding the university into the digital age not merely for progress, but for Kingdom impact. This is a story of faith, foresight, and the fingerprints of God on a campus committed to excellence in Christ.
February 19
Speaker: , Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, 黑料网.
Title: Water: Chemistry's Finest Design for Life on Earth.
Abstract:听Water is one of the simplest molecules students encounter in chemistry, yet it displays a set of behaviors that make life on Earth possible in remarkable ways. This talk explores why water stands out scientifically and how its molecular structure supports biological and environmental stability. We will also reflect on how, from a Christian perspective, these features invite us to delight in the wisdom and generosity of God, who fashioned a world where even an ordinary molecule reveals extraordinary provision.
to access a recording of this presentation.
March 5
Speakers:听 (Professor of Physics, 黑料网) and (Director of Fine Arts and Professor of Music, 黑料网).
Title:听Designed to Resonate: The Science and Wonder of God鈥檚 Musical World.
Abstract: The science of music rests on marvelous principles of physics that the Lord put into creation, vibrations that translate into sounds of melody, harmony and rhythm that we perceive and to which we react.听 Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Taylor will describe the principles of sound, harmonics and overtones, Bernoulli鈥檚 principle and how it allows us to sing, the relationship of music to our emotions, and more.听 In all this God鈥檚 amazing wisdom is displayed!
April 9
Speaker:听Alec Berberian, Engineering Student (Biomedical Concentration), 黑料网.
Title: Science, Community, and Calling: How God Worked Through My REU Experience.
Abstract:听In this presentation, I aim to reflect on my 10鈥憌eek REU experience at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I worked in a biomedical engineering research lab and gained meaningful insights into what it is like to conduct real research. In addition to this academic opportunity, I was able to see God bring many blessings into my life through the local church I attended during the summer, including a strong Christian community, a call to participate in a mission trip, and a potential opening for my future career plans.
to access a recording of this presentation.
Fall 2025
Fall 2025 Seminar Schedule听
August 28
Speaker: , Professor of Physics, 黑料网.
Title:听Royal Beauty Bright: More Theories about the Star of Bethlehem.
Abstract:听Last year, my talk looked at literary and artistic evidence for how early Christians understood the Bethlehem Star from Matthew's Nativity narrative -- including my own hypothesis of a hybrid model for understanding how the star might have appeared: the combination of a notable conjunction of planets (obscure to all by the Magi) located close to a bright and completely new star. After a short recap, we'll look in more detail at several proposals for the planetary conjunction event, as well as speculate about various physical explanations for a bright star that could "go before" the Magi and lead them to a specific location. Along the way we'll learn about cometary outbursts, transient lunar phenomena, mini-moons, quasi-moons, the Palermo technical impact hazard scale for near-earth objects, mysterious interstellar interlopers that听probably听aren't alien spacecraft come to annihilate us all, and the answer to the question, "Hey, just how many palaces did King Herod own, anyway?!"
September 4
Speaker: , Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of Mississippi.
Title: Biblical Inerrancy: A Scientist's View.
Abstract:听The doctrine of biblical inerrancy says the Bible is true in all it intends to affirm.听 So when the Bible intersects with nature (or science), does it intend to instruct on the characteristics of nature or simply tap common understanding of nature at the time of writing to illustrate the intended message?听 Is there any way of determining which is true?听 In this seminar, we will learn some new terminology relevant to biblical inerrancy and walk through a systematic methodology for answering the question of what the Bible intends to teach.听 Examples will touch on the structure of the cosmos, the function of the heart, the life cycle of seeds, and the opening chapters of Genesis.
September 4 Special Event: 7:00-8:00 p.m. in Speer Chapel
Speaker: , Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of Mississippi.
Title: Human Origins - Scientific and Scriptural Perspectives.
Abstract:听Have you ever wondered how to reconcile scientific theories with theological perspectives on Genesis 1? Join Dr. Davidson for a thought-provoking seminar examining the intersection of science and faith. This engaging talk will address key questions and offer insights into navigating complex ideas with clarity and curiosity. All students and faculty are invited to attend!
October 2
Speaker:听 (Professor of Physics, 黑料网) and Mr. Richard Miller's (Adjunct Professor of Physics, 黑料网) astronomy research group.
Title: Dark Sky Observatory 2025 and the Inner Workings of Stars.
Abstract: We will present on the activities and results of the Dark Sky Observatory research group of late Summer 2025 with Mr. Miller, and give an overview of the physics of stars, presented in a series of lectures by Dr. Ball. We will also share on the faith impact of these activities and lectures, affirming the claim of Psalm 19:1 "The heavens听declare听the glory of God; the skies听proclaim the work of his hands."
November 6
Speaker: , Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology, 黑料网.
Title: Can You Count to Three?听An examination of the Passion Week timing.
Abstract:听Jesus said 鈥溾ut no sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.鈥 (Mt 12:39-40).听 Traditionally we recognize Jesus鈥 crucifixion and death on Good Friday and celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday, less than 2 full days later and spanning only 2 nights.听 Was Jesus just using an idiom (figure of speech)? Did they count time differently in Jesus鈥 day?听 Or are the words the Bible records Jesus predicting meant to be understood literally?听 And if the latter, why doesn鈥檛 it add up?听 Maybe we鈥檙e not counting correctly!听 Since God created math and time, let鈥檚 take a detailed look in this seminar at what the Bible says and see if we can count to three.
Spring 2025
Spring 2025 Seminar Schedule
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January
16 Medical Innovations that Solve Global Problems
Sonia Soso Saenz, Interim Asc. Dir. Global Health Fellows Program, Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technology听
Rice University | Houston, TX听
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23 Physics, Faith, and MIracles in Graduate School
Steve Ball, Department of Chemistry and Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
30 PFAS, the "forever chemicals"
Bill Peery听
SPL Lab | Kilgore, TX听
()
February
6 What are the Digital Humanities? - Writing and curation in a Digital Age
Aaron Brown, Writing Center Director听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
()
13 Summer Research Experiences and how to have yours
Sean Magallan and Hannah Newall, Department of Chemistry and Physics听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
20 Dystopias of ease: Science Fiction and the Search for Effortlessness
Randall Compton, Department of English听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
Background stories to be read prior to the seminar
听 and听
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March
6 Use of Physiology to Address Environmental and Conservation Related Questions
Ryan Shartau, Department of Biology听
University of Texas - Tyler | Tyler, TX听
()
20 Hungry, Humble, and Smart
Luis Aguilar, CEO听
Houston Area Safety Council | Houston, TX听
()
27 A Comparative Study of Timing-Based CAN Intrustion Detection System
Deborah Blevins, Department of Mathematics听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
()
April
3 UNC-45B chaperone controls myosin gene expression by modulating its transcription factor, GATA-4
Odunuga Odutayo, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry听
Stephen F. Austin University | Nacogdoches, TX
()
10 From Supersonic to Space: Optimization of Amateur Rockets for Ultra-High Altitude Flight
黑料网 Space Program (LetSpace)听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
17 From Plants to Microbes: Next Generation Biosynthetic Pathways for Anticancer Alkaloids
Vonny Salim, Department of Biological Sciences听
Louisiana State University - Shreveport | Shreveport, LA听
()
24 The Pivotal Role of Communicating Science in the Christian Polytechnic University
Scott Dyer听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
()
May
1听How Mint Innovation's world-first e-waste biotechnology transforms waste into value
Chris York, Vice President of Business Development听
Mint Bio | Wellington, Auckland听
()
Fall 2024
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Fall 2024 Seminar Schedule
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August
29 An Ultrafast Look at the Use of High Magnetic Field Spectroscopy to Study Insulators and Metal Phase Transitions
, Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX听
()
September
5 Observational Astronomy vs. Wasps, Quiches and Joe Davis Rd
Natalie Alvarado, William Boersma, Natalie Hoeschle,听 Department of Chemistry and Physics听
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
() (image file pdf)
19 Texas and the Global Energy Transition:听 How commodity markets, policy, and natural disasters have shaped energy production and distribution in the LoneStar State.听
Trevor Safko, ERCOT Policy Analyst
| Austin, TX听
26 Rheological Footprinting with Drop Impact
Pack Min, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Baylor University | Waco, TX听
October
10听 Chemistries of Plastic Recycling
David Silvensky, Manager, Olefins and Utillities Development
Eastman Chemical | Longview, TX听
17听 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and New Analytical Testing Techniques in Wastewater
Tracey Varvel and Bill Peery, Analytical Chemists
SPL Lab | Kilgore, TX听
24听 A Comparative Analysis of Forefoot Stiffness Between the 3D Printed Macy Prosthetic Foot and the Flexible Keel Foot
Sarah Schlimme, Prosthetics and Orthotics
University of Texas Southwest | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ()
31听 The Trinity River, Texas: Its Historical Management and Relationship in the Assessment of Consumer Product Chemicals
Scott Dyer, Department of Biology
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
Nov
14听 Elastic Synergy: Bridging Innovation and Industry for High-Performance Elastomers
Henry Martinez, Research Scientist
Eastman Chemical | Longview, TX ()
21听 Virtual Reality and Advanced Manufacturing
Matthew Rissler, Advanced Manufacturing Program
Harrisburg University | Harrisburg, PA听 ()
Dec
5听 Nanomaterials from Lab to Industry
Wonbong Choi, College of Engineering
University of North Texas | Denton, TX听
Spring 2024
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Spring 2024 Seminar Schedule
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January
11 Following the Bethlehem Star: Early Christian Views on Astronomy
Edward Hamilton, Department of Chemistry & Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
18 Plugging a hole in the bottom of the sea:听 The Whole of Government Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Mark Moland, Associate Dean, College of Education, Arts & Sciences
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
February
1 The Biology of Weight Gain and Loss: Secrets for Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight
Fred Baliraine, Department of Biology
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
8听The Importance of Data Clustering Stability
Ezekiel Cochran, Department of Mathematics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
15听Diving into Solar Physics
Josiah Baker, Department of Chemistry & Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
22听Dark matter: Researching the Unknown
Phoenix Swiacki, Department of Electrical Engineering
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
29听Aerobiology:听 what are the common Fungal inhabitants here on Campus
Josh McLoud, Department of Biology
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
March
7听 Ruthenium Dinuclear Catalysts for Water Oxidation and Characterizing the Physical Properties of Self-Assembled Monolayers
Garrett Hidalgo and Kathryn Fore, Department of Chemistry and Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
21 听Teaching math and science in developing countries
Scott Eberle, Department of Mathematics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
28听听Explosions, Lasers, and Computers: Understanding Chemical Kinetics
Clayton Mulvihill, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Baylor University | Waco, TX听
April
4听 Wormholes and Warp Drives
Gerald Cleaver, Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX听
11听听The Day the Sun Disappeared: April 8 Solar Eclipse Overview
Richard Miller, Department of Chemistry & Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
18听 Faith, Physics, and Miracles in Graduate School
Steven Ball, Department of Chemistry & Physics
黑料网 | Longview, TX听
25听听TBA
Fall 2023
August
24 Aircraft Flight Dynamics Modeling Using Machine Learning听 听 (video)
Andrew Davis
School of Engineering and Engineering Technology | 黑料网 | Longview, TX听听
31 How you can use your science or engineering degree in the US Peace Corps听 听 (video)
Don Holly, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
US Peace Corps | Palestine, TX听听
September
14听 Quantum Computations:听 Promises and Perils听 (video)
Edward Hamilton
Department of Chemistry and Physics | 黑料网 | Longview, TX听听
21听 History of Space Exploration听 (video)
Nelson Bates
Historian Astronomer| Gregg County Historical Museum | Longview, TX听听
28听 Whirling Dervishes in the Night Sky听 (video)
Kurtis A. Williams
Department of Physics and Astronomy | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce, TX听听
October
5听 The East Texas Medical School听 (video)听
Michelle Crum
UT Tyler School of Medicine听 |听 Tyler, TX
12听 Taxi Cab Geometry听 (video)
Steve Armstrong
Department of Mathematics | 黑料网 | Longview, TX听听
19听 Space to LeTourneau, can you hear me now? (video)
James Allen Morrison
RF Communication Engineer听 | NASA - Johnson Space Center听 |听 Houston, TX听 听听
26听 Wormholes and warp drives听 (video)
Gerald Cleaver
Department of Physics | Baylor University | Waco, TX听听
November
2听 Engineering meets Operation (video)
Allan Worcester
Mission Control Flight Controller | NASA - Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX听听
9听 Breaking good, when a chemist turns to the right side of the law - could it happen to you?听 (video)
Benjamin Penticoff听
General Counsel | Milliman, Inc. | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX听听
16听 Environmental Science, Climate, and Politics听 (video)
Scott Dyer
Department of Biology | 黑料网 | Longview, TX听听
30听 Aerobiology:听 what are the common Fungal inhabitants here on Campus听 (video)
Josh McLoud
Department of Biology | 黑料网 | Longview, TX听
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