On June 25, 2026, I attended a presentation by Dr. Kate Bulinski, Professor of Environmental Science at Bellermine University who talked about Faith and Science as part of the Theology on Tap Summer Speaker Series. It was a well attended talk after the group had a nice dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Albany, Indiana, USA.
I learned about Nicolas Steno (1638-1686) who is considered the "Father of Stratigraphy" and how he identified fossil shark teeth. Also she talked about an upcoming event November 15, 2026, Gold Mass for Faith and Science featuring a lecture from Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory. I attended one of his lectures years ago at Southeast Christian Church about science and religion where he signed one of his books on astronomy I had brought.
Dr. Bulinski talked about relationship between science and Catholicism. She identified an number of famous Catholic scientists and their contributions in her presentation. The event ended with a question and and answer session where one question was what was her favorite fossil. She replied, edrioasteroid which are found in the Ordovician rock around the Cincinnati, Ohio, USA area where she went to university and studied paleontology/geology for a Ph.D.
I remember when Kate started teaching at Bellermine around 2008 or 2009. I was an officer in the KYANA Geological Society and contacted her about giving a presentation at one of the meetings which she graciously did.
Her research around the Louisville area involves workshops for K-12 teachers involving Waldron Shale fossils and study of the paleo-ecology of Devonian Coral fossil reef found at the Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana USA.
