Guest lecturer from Oak Ridge National Laboratory outlines career, faith values with science students

Students in the Liberty University Department of Biology & Chemistry were able to glean from renowned professor and researcher Dr. Rigoberto Advincula on Monday morning in the first of two special lectures scheduled for the semester, hearing about his wide-ranging career and the driving force behind all of it — his relationship with God.

Since 2020, Advincula has been a Governor’s Chair Professor and Group Leader for the macromolecular nanomaterials group in the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and University of Tennessee. He previously taught at Case Western Reserve University, University of Houston, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Established in 1943, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy facility with its beginnings traced to the Manhattan Project’s enrichment of uranium in the creation of the atomic bomb. Today, it is the nation’s largest multi-program science and technology laboratory.

Advincula’s areas of research include utilizing the structure and functionalities of materials on a near-atomic (nanometer) scale, characterizing and developing new materials sensors, optics, biotechnology, biomedicine, energy production, and advanced manufacturing. He has led major projects including a fiber composite project with the DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and AMO. He has received a number of major awards, including from the American Chemical Society, and several Fellow Honors — FRSC, FIMMM, NATAS Fellow, PMSE Fellow, and Poly Fellow. Most recently, he received Fellow status with the National Academy of Inventors and the International Prize of the Society of Polymer Science of Japan.

In visiting Liberty, Advincula said he was enthusiastic to speak with college students who not only had a passion for science and research but also a desire to follow the Lord.

“I’ve always enjoyed meeting students in general, but especially students who love the Lord and want to grow in the Lord,” he said. “I can share my testimony with them and share my journey with them. In general, I am very impressed with Liberty University … how much it has grown, the faculty here, the tremendous administration, and the quality of the students.”

Advincula’s lecture provided an overview of his varied work regarding polymers, nanoscience, artificial intelligence for machine learning, and more, and he also mentioned his work with Engineers Without Borders in the Philippines. Throughout his lecture, he integrated his faith and work philosophy and lessons for the students about following Christ in the sciences.

In conclusion, Advincula shared how students can get involved with his lab, including opportunities for fellowships, internships, and more. He closed by reminding them that a life and career rooted in Christ is fruitful, no matter where or what the work ends up being. He shared Proverbs 16:3, which says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

“I can say in my journey as a scientist, career professor, mentor, and everything else I do professionally, nothing compares to my relationship with Christ; nothing compares to knowing the mission that I have in life (through) my walk with Christ,” he said. “I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, to consider whatever you do in your life and put the Lord first; you won’t be disappointed. Let the Word of God enrich you, and you will have wisdom for eternity.”

Sophomore biomedical sciences (pre-med) student Victoria Pacheco said the lecture motivated her to make Christ a priority in her upcoming career and look into future research opportunities.

“It was very encouraging and impressive seeing the amount of research he’s done,” she said. “In addition to that, how he puts Christ first in what he does showed me how if you put Christ first, God will guide you and you can do anything. It gave me insight into research and where I can go with that in regard to what I’m studying.”

The next lecture hosted by the Department of Biology & Chemistry is scheduled for March 17, welcoming Dr. Philip Jordan from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.