Jennifer Wiseman (PhD)

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, a leading astrophysicist at NASA, holds a PhD in astronomy from Harvard University and serves as the Senior Project Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope.  Raised in rural Arkansas, she spent her childhood on a farm where the expansive night skies sparked her passion for astronomy.  Despite her parents not having college degrees, they encouraged the pursuit of her undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and her PhD in astronomy at Harvard University.  Dr. Wiseman is also a committed Christian who actively engages in discussions on the intersection of science and faith. She believes that scientific exploration can enrich one's understanding of creation and inspire a deeper sense of awe and gratitude toward God.   Regarding God's story of creation, she said: "There's a strong connection. Jesus was not just an afterthought of God's, but actually, he was the focus of creation for all time in terms of the Scripture, and that it is in Christ that the whole universe is sustained."  She also is noted as saying: “As a Christian I believe that God is responsible for all of nature, for the universe, for our place in it, and therefore by studying the details of it, it is glorifying to God. If you think of God as an artist and we are studying the artwork and the details, it is a wonderful gift to be able to do that. Science is a wonderful God-given gift for studying God’s handiwork.”