Celebrating Black Scientists

Donna Auguste, Systems Engineer (images © Shutterstock, Donna Auguste)

Origen, one of the greatest Bible scholars and early church fathers, was a North African who advocated for the coherence of science and faith. During his time, Origen admonished fellow Christians to appreciate medical science – that the efforts of medical doctors are not in vain, even when there is healing from a disease by divine intervention. In modern times I have come across some black people who, like Origen, are devoted to both science and Christian faith, often in scientific conferences, and sometimes in church or social events. In celebration of black history month, and as a black Christian scientist myself, I am motivated to write about three scientists – a zoologist, a chemist, and a systems engineer.

The first is George K. Kinoti, a Kenyan and graduate of Makerere University, Uganda. He obtained his PhD in parasitology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. During his lifetime, he spoke and wrote on a number of issues about Christian faith. This distinguished parasitologist and professor of zoology was popular for his books titled ‘Hope for Africa and what the Christian can do’ (1994) and ‘Vision for a bright Africa’ (1997) because they call upon the church and every African to work for peace and prosperity of Africa. Kinoti’s engagements in the 1980s may perhaps qualify him as an unsung black hero in science and Christian faith dialogue.

At the 1985 joint meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation and Christians in Science, he spoke on how Western researchers and scientists could help developing countries. He argued that Christians had already invested considerable resources for evangelism, childhood and pastoral education and medical care, but the evident need for scientific education, research and development were neglected. Kinoti envisioned that the ASA and CiS would work with African Christians both to solve long-term economic and health problems and to present an effective witness in Africa to the wholeness of the Christian approach to life. He wanted partnership between Western Christians and their African counterparts in order to engage in research and development. He dreamed of a major independent Christian research facility in Nairobi that would be staffed by both African and visiting international scientists. Today, with an operational Science-Faith organisation called the Christian and Scientific Association of Kenya, and few other interested individuals of African descent, that dream may soon come true. Indeed, the life and work of Kinoti portrays that local challenges demand a local solution – be it socioeconomic or scientific.

Next, let me introduce you to Robert Selvendran, a distinguished scientist and plant cell researcher of Sri Lankan origin. On top of his scholarly distinction, he was a church leader in Norwich. He argued that science at its deepest level is essentially a religious activity, which plays its own special role in unfolding the nature and purpose of God.

When Selvendran passed away in May 2018, the Quadram Institutes, a specialist food and health research centre in Norwich, UK made the following statement: “He published over 120 papers during his career, earning an ISI Highly Cited Researcher Award and in 1994 he was awarded the Food Group Senior Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry.  Robbie was a deeply religious person, and in his retirement, he devoted his life to Christian work, travelling widely around the world to talk on science and Christian theology, as well as supporting local Christian groups.”

Selvenrdan’s long reflection on the scientific and Christian views of the world found them to be complementary. “Together, both types of truth give a fuller and more meaningful picture of life, of the world, and indeed of the universe. More importantly for me, they enhance the meaning of eternal life in God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, whom to know is life indeed.”

For Selvendran, the thrill and exhilaration of his scientific discoveries was nothing compared to the truth and light to be discovered in Jesus Christ. Throughout his life he shared the excitement he found in science, which increased his awareness of the physical world. As a practising Christian he also shared the even greater joy and certainty of redeemed life in Jesus Christ, which increased his awareness of God’s purposes for humanity and the world at large.

Lastly, here comes Donna Auguste, an African-American systems engineer, businesswoman and philanthropist. Auguste was the co-founder and CEO of Freshwater Software, and is now CEO of Auguste Research Group. Despite her many successes in the business world, Auguste returned to academia for her PhD because of concern about the declining numbers of ethnic minorities employed in STEM fields.

Auguste began to have passion for science at the age of four. She was fond of using a screwdriver to disassemble home appliances and then put them together again. Raised by her single mum, she often attended science fairs in town. The 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing encouraged her into STEM, and she went on to study electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. Auguste’s own experience as a successful engineer and entrepreneur in technology fuels her passion and enthusiasm in introducing young students of colour to STEM.

In a LinkedIn Q and A that I recently had with Auguste, she believed her work in innovation and technology to be based on faith because she has to explore problems that have never been solved before. In her words “the staircase is lit only one step ahead. We cannot see the entire staircase, but we climb one step at a time.” Indeed, faith illuminates that one step. When asked how her scientific work helps her Christian faith, she said she believed that working with science and technology for problem-solving connects her with the joys of humanity.

In an interview with GlobalMindED, Auguste’s advice to young black people was to “learn what is their source of strength and connect deeply to that source.” I find Auguste’s advice to be profound – how can one stay more energised than by relying on and affirming God as the source of strength and a deep connection with him on a daily basis? Just like Auguste, I find God to be a dependable source of strength in both times of scientific success and struggles. A pertinent question Auguste asked at the end of her interview was, “What is your source of strength?”

In honour of Black History Month, I remember and celebrate the powerful works of God in and through the lives of influential black people. From enslaved Christians and abolitionists to civil rights figures, and now to George Kinoti, a zoologist and enthusiast of science-faith for development; Robert Selvendran, a chemist and evangel of science and Christian theology; and Donna Auguste, a systems engineer and supporter of black people in STEM.

This post was also published on the Christianity Magazine blog.