Unite Faith and Reason
The Franciscan Institute for Science and Health (FISH) is an initiative of Franciscan University of Steubenville with the overarching goal of maximizing student learning by providing bonafide research experiences, mentored by faculty of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, that unite faith and reason.
This exciting initiative provides our graduates not only an applied skill set but also a thorough understanding of the responsibility of the scientist or engineer as a practicing Catholic. “Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man’s dominion over creation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2293). Education and training are guided by stewardship for God’s creation and respect for the dignity of the human person.
Our graduates are distinguished as Catholic scholars of tremendous integrity that become valuable assets to any medical school, graduate school, or business.
Support the research of our students by giving to the FISH Program Fund.
Explore FISH
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Science and Ethics 2024
Research
Franciscan Institute for World Health
Graduate-Level Research Opportunities
Michael McLaughlin ’15
Majors: Biology & Chemistry
Ever since I first learned about adult stem cells, I knew that I wanted to do research on them. So when I heard Franciscan was beginning to do research using these stem cells, I was overjoyed. Working on these cells has been incredible, and I have gained a greater understanding of how the human body works.
Passionate about the Sciences
Devin Barnaby ’18
Medical School Student, Temple University
“We’re taught the sciences in a way they’re supposed to be learned—where the Lord created us and the world as a gift. If you want to practice and learn about the sciences, but you’re also passionate about your faith, this is the perfect place to be.”
Uniting Faith with Reason
STEM Programs Built on Faith, Ethics, and Excellence
Tired of hearing science and faith are opposed? So are we.
At Franciscan, you don’t have to choose science over faith or faith over science. Rather, through your classes, your professors, and numerous guest lectures by world-renowned speakers and apologists, you’ll discover that science and faith exist in harmony, supporting each other and helping us come to know God and his creation.
You won’t only learn how science and faith work together, you’ll also work one-on-one with faculty and professional researchers on initiatives that respect human life, from conception to natural death.
Faithful Scholars
Mark Hanlon ’18
Medical School Student, Georgetown University
“Dr. Rohde gave us an example of living a life of virtue centered on Christ for all of us to look up to. It was amazing to see this man, with a doctorate in organic chemistry from Harvard University, ardently striving to live a humble life of service to those around him. His example showed me and hundreds of other students through the years that academic excellence and a life of holiness go hand-in-hand.”
If your idea of a professor is a disinterested figure who spends all his or her time in a lab, far removed from students, then think again. Our professors aren’t only research scientists—publishing peer-reviewed papers and making important discoveries across multiple disciplines and fields—they’re also committed to helping you succeed in every area of your personal, professional, and spiritual development.
Directors
Dr. Kyle McKenna
Professor of Biology
Director, FISH
Dr. Kyle McKenna, professor of Biology, Director of FISH, received his Ph. D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. His dissertation focused on malaria vaccine development. He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in ocular immunology focused on immunoregulatory mechanisms within the eye. His current research includes projects aimed at understanding how ocular tumors evade immune responses, and why antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19 fail to resolve infection. His team of undergraduate researchers recent published a series of articles describing the development and validation of a COVID-19 antibody test that utilized ethically sourced reagents not derived from aborted fetal cell lines.
Dr. Jeffrey J. Rohde
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering
Co-Director, FISH, and Director, FIWH
As a Harvard graduate and medicinal chemist for nearly 13 years, Dr. Jeffrey Rohde came to Franciscan to teach Organic Chemistry in 2009. From the start, he had plans and the idea to also accomplish something else: he wanted to pass on his passion for basic research to his students. Today, after successfully launching the Franciscan Institute for World Health in 2010, he has also helped to found the Franciscan Institute for Science and Health with a broader mission and goal to provide similar real-world and hands-on experiences for all Franciscan science majors and Engineering Dual-Degree students.
All Faculty
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What Students Have Said
Lynn O’Mara ’10
General Surgery
Physician Assistant
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA
Physician Assistant
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston MA
“The Franciscan Biology Program gave me all the prerequisites I needed for the physician assistant program, so I saved time and money in grad school. And the independent research I did with Dr. Perozich in bioinformatics really impressed every grad school where I applied.”
Tony Gayed MD ’12
Interventional Radiology
Medical University of South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
“I had a great research experience, and I talked about it when I was interviewed for medical school and for my residency. They couldn’t believe the level of involvement I had with the research.”
Molly (Chambers) Riffon ’14
Doctor of Physical Therapy Candidate, Ohio University
“My time as a biology major at Franciscan prepared me for my doctor of physical therapy program. Franciscan University professors encourages and challenge their students to rise to a higher level of knowledge. It was because of professors like Dr. Kuebler and Dr. Rohde that I learned how to analyze research and think critically—two skills I use every day as I treat my patients.”
Support Our Important Research
Support the research our students are doing through FISH by giving to the Science Fund.