The theme of the virtual 2021 Goshen Conference on Religion and Science is “Trauma and the Environment: How Shall We Live?” with the content centering on the emerging science of epigenetics.
Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence and a segment of study has been devoted to the impact of the environment on genetics.
The event is slated for March 12 – 14 and the hope organizers have is that the virtual element will allow for wider student participation as well as a wider audience. The speakers are Dr. Ann Pederson and Dr. Jennifer Gubbels of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Pederson is a professor of religion, who has been writing extensively on matters of faith and medical sciences over the years. Gubbels teaches courses on biology, physiology and immunology with her research focusing on mechanisms of metastasis and immune escape in epithelial ovarian cancer.
This will not only be the first virtual Goshen conference, but also the first to include two speakers. Registration on the Goshen College website should be open soon.