Chemistry is a Long, Loving Look at the Real with Michelle Francl

About this episode

This episode features Dr. Michelle Francl discussing the relationship between faith and science, her work in chemistry, and insights on brewing tea.

This is the second episode in our little two-part miniseries featuring Catholic scientists. Be sure to check out last week’s conversation with Deacon Matthew Pinson, SJ, who has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT. Today’s guest is Dr. Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia. In addition to being one of the 1000 most-cited chemists in academic literature, Michelle writes about both science and faith for a broad audience. She also serves as an adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory, where she has worked with Jesuit astronomers like Brother Guy Consolmagno. (She actually worked with Br. Guy on an audio book series highlighting various Catholic scientists through the ages: https://www.audible.com/pd/Great-Catholic-Scientists-Discoveries-and-Lives-of-Faith-Audiobook/1632517213?srsltid=AfmBOopuQZ9bq8EJ-PDGWMewb2E1OwaNfACWNbBphFE5blNnOUuWp7up) Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Michelle about how faith and science go together for her and how she responds to popular arguments about how faith and science are totally incompatible. Mike also asked her about wonder and awe in science, and they talked a bit about the book she wrote on the…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Jordan Laskey

Guest: Michelle Francl

Topics covered

• faith and science
• Catholic scientists
• chemistry
• spirituality
• wonder and awe
• brewing tea

Keywords

• faith
• science
• chemistry
• Catholic
• spirituality
• tea
• wonder
• awe

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bryn Mawr College, Vatican Observatory

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