How science and theology can help advance truth
Brenton DeBoef at TEDxURI 2025
Brenton Deboef, both a scientist and a man of faith, discusses the significant divide between science and religion. Scientists and deeply faithful individuals often regard each other with suspicion. Brenton reflects on his journey during the COVID pandemic, when he sought to communicate scientific facts about the vaccine to those of faith, sharing his trials and tribulations along the way, and how a bridge was ultimately built along with the lessons learned.
About Brenton DeBoef
Dr. Brenton DeBoef is a Professor of Chemistry and the Dean of the Graduate School at URI. His research focuses on the invention of new chemical reactions and the synthesis of molecular imaging agents. For Brenton, his truth is that he has an unexplained obsession with the element xenon.
Outside of the lab, Brenton is an armchair theologian, rocket enthusiast, and avid college football fan. As a practitioner of science and faith, Brenton explores the intersection, or lack thereof of the two fields.