Seminar Program

Science & Faith: Impact on Multiple Aspects

of Health in Urban Communities

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Presenter Biography

Bishop Designate Kevin Daniels, Ed.D., D. Min.

Dr. Kevin Daniels holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University, a Master of Science degree in Social Work (Clinical Counseling/Administration) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a Doctor of Education in Urban Leadership from Morgan State University and a Doctor of Ministry in Theology and Public Health at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, he has received Certification in Advanced Studies in Addictions Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and Certification in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University.

Dr. Daniels serves the community as Pastor and Licensed Graduate Social Worker. He is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Baltimore City Community College and was recently appointed by the Baltimore City Police Commissioner’s Office as Chaplain for the Western District. He is also part of the Baltimore City Nuclear Counseling Team in association with Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc. Dr. Daniels formerly served as the National Director of Ministries for Alpha Nu Omega Christian Fraternity, Inc. He currently serves as Board Member of the Center for the Integration of Spirituality & Mental Health, Inc. As Pastor of the St. Martin Church in Baltimore, his vision is to develop a “ministry that moves from healing to wholeness.” The church works in collaboration with CHAMP (Community Health Awareness & Monitoring Program) to conduct quarterly health screenings for his congregation and community. He has implemented a variety of ministries that address identified needs including family services, childcare services, elder care, HIV/AIDS programs, homeless services and others.

Nicholas J Tavani, MD, PhD,

Dr Nicholas J. Tavani is a Family Physician, residency trained and Board Certified with the American Board of Family Medicine with 25 years of clinical experience with primary care patients.

Dr Tavani grew up here in the Washington area and went to college at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1980 where he also received a Master's Degree and PhD in Biophysics and Physiology. He has taught at the University of Maryland and George Mason University and spoken at seminars and conferences on issues in medicine, science and faith, marriage and family, and human physiology.

He and his wife Donna and six sons have resided in Haymarket for the past decade where they are involved in community, church and musical activities, soccer and home school. Dr. Tavani and his wife have been involved in urban outreach ministry in the Washington DC area for many years.

Rueben Warren, DDS, Dr. PH, MDiv,

Dr. Rueben C. Warren is currently the Director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care and Professor of Bioethics at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. He also serves as Director and Adjunct Professor of the Institute for Faith-Health Leadership and Adjunct Professor of Public Health, Medicine and Ethics at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. From 2005 to 2007, he served part-time as the Director of Infrastructure Development for the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.

His extensive public health experience at community, state, local, national, and international levels range from clinical and research work in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, to heading the Public Health Dentistry Program at the Mississippi State Department of Health. Dr. Warren has contributed to the scientific literature in public health, oral health, and health services research. Dr. Warren’s membership in health related associations has expanded his perspective on health. In 1996-97, he served as Chairperson of the Caucus on Public Health and Faith Communities, an affiliate of the American Public Health Association.

Dr. Fazale Rana

FAZALE “FUZ” RANA discovered the fascinating world of cells while taking chemistry and biology courses for the premed program at West Virginia State College (now University). As a presidential scholar there, he earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry with highest honors. He completed a Ph.D. in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry at Ohio University, where he twice won the Donald Clippinger Research Award. Postdoctoral studies took him to the Universities of Virginia and Georgia. Fuz then worked seven years as a senior scientist in product development for Procter & Gamble.

Research in biochemistry provided Fuz with the initial evidence that life must have been created. Although he recognized the work of a designer, he did not know the designer’s identity. An acquaintance’s challenge to read the Bible led him to believe that the God of the Bible is that Designer. Eventually, concern for the supposed incompatibility of science and Scripture led Fuz to Reasons To Believe (RTB).

Today Fuz travels widely, speaking on science-and-faith issues at churches, business firms, and universities. He also participates in RTB’s webcasts, podcasts, and daily blog, Today’s New Reason to Believe, and has made guest appearances on The John Ankerberg Show, Harvest Show, and Newsmakers (hosted by Jerry Rose on The Total Living Network). Fuz also lectures for the Master of Science and Religion program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University.

Since joining RTB as executive vice president of research and apologetics, Fuz has authored and coauthored the booksOrigins of Life, Who Was Adam? and, most recently, The Cell’s Design. Additionally, Fuz has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals including Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, Biochemistry, Applied Spectroscopy, FEBS Letters, Journal of Microbiological Methods, and Journal of Chemical Education. He has made presentations at numerous international scientific meetings, coauthored a chapter on antimicrobial peptides for Biological and Synthetic Membranes, and holds two patents.

A native of West Virginia, Fuz loves blues and southern and country rock music, particularly Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Johnny Winter, and Blind Willie Johnson. He roots for the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals, enjoys playing fantasy football, baseball, and basketball with his RTB colleagues, and likes reading Shakespeare—especially the tragedies. Fuz lives in Southern California with his wife, Amy, and their three daughters.

Dr. Jeffrey Zweerink

JEFF ZWEERINK thought he would follow in his father’s footsteps as a chemistry professor until a high school teacher piqued his interest in physics. Jeff pursued a B.S. in physics and a Ph.D. in astrophysics at Iowa State University (ISU), where he focused his study on gamma rays—messengers from distant black holes and neutron stars.

Upon completing his education, Jeff taught at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Postdoctoral research took him to the West Coast, to the University of California, Riverside, and eventually to a research faculty position at UCLA. He has conducted research using the STACEE and VERITAS gamma-ray telescopes and participated in such research efforts as the Solar Two Project and the Whipple Collaboration.

A Christian from childhood, Jeff desired to understand how the worlds of science and Scripture integrate. He struggled when his scientific studies seemed to collide with his early biblical training. While an undergrad at ISU, Jeff heard Hugh Ross speak and learned of Reasons To Believe (RTB) and its ministry of reconciliation—tearing down the presumed barriers between science and faith and introducing people to their personal Creator. Jeff knew this was something he was called to be a part of.

Today, as a research scholar at RTB, Jeff enjoys speaking at churches, universities, and professional groups around the country, encouraging people to consider the truth of Scripture and how it connects with the evidence of science. His involvement with RTB grows from an enthusiasm for helping others bridge the perceived science-faith gap. He seeks to assist others in avoiding the difficulties he experienced.

Jeff is author of Who’s Afraid of the Multiverse? and coauthor of more than 30 journal articles, as well as numerous conference proceedings. He still serves part-time on the physics and astronomy research faculty at UCLA. He also contributes RTB’s webcasts, podcasts, and daily blog, Today’s New Reasons to Believe.

When he isn’t participating in science-faith apologetics Jeff enjoys fishing, camping, and working on home improvement projects. An enthusiastic sports fan, he coaches his children’s teams and challenges his RTB colleagues in fantasy football. He roots for the Kansas City Chiefs and for NASCAR’s Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon. Jeff and his wife, Lisa, live in Southern California with their five children.