Dominican Scientist meets with Pope


November 17, 2011

Watch the slideshow from Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P. recent trip to Rome. Fr. Austriaco earned his Ph.D. degree in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After completing his doctoral studies, he was a fellow of the International Human Frontier Science Program at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the University College London. He is currently an assistant professor of biology and instructor of theology at Providence College and was a featured presenter at the Vatican conference on adult steam cell research. The conference, entitled “Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture”, gathered 350 scientists, religious figures, politicians, educators and industry representatives. The opening address was given by Hon. Tommy Thompson, the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Fr. Austriaco’s topic was “Will the Advancement of Life Sciences Change Our Vision of Man?” The Conference was a three-day international conference on adult stem cells and the promise they hold for health care. It was described by its organizers as, “an exclusive event targeting a select number of participants, including the foremost experts in Adult Stem Cell research along with recognized leaders in the life sciences, medicine, religion, ethics, and public policy.” The sponsors for the conference included the U.S. Stem for Life Foundation and by the Pontifical Council for Culture.

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