People try to separate science and God, but I’m learning that God works through scientific mechanisms.
Nothing quite compared to the spark of joy Bailey Calder (PhD ’27, CELL) saw on a young researcher’s face when she experienced firsthand the wonder of scientific discovery. Under Calder’s careful supervision, the researcher injected a special piece of DNA into a zebrafish embryo. A day later, as the tiny creature began to glow under the microscope the room filled with contagious excitement. “She was over the moon,” Calder recalls with a smile. “Sometimes when you’re doing something all the time, you forget how incredible it all really is.” It is in moments like these that Calder’s compassion as a mentor truly shines through. Whether he is patiently guiding a student through a challenging experiment or celebrating their small victories, Calder consistently prioritizes the growth and well-being of those around him.
Calder’s compassionate approach to mentoring is not only evident in the lab; it also deeply informs his research, particularly in his work studying autism spectrum disorder. “We aren’t necessarily looking for a cure,” Calder is careful to emphasize. “Instead, we want to learn more about the condition so we can help people manage some of the difficult aspects of the disorder.”
Calder and his team hypothesize that autism may be rooted in altered sensory perception, specifically in how the brain integrates sight, sound, and touch into a unified experience. They believe certain regions of the brain are responsible for this sensory integration and function differently in individuals with autism. To explore this, Calder primarily works with zebrafish since a significant portion of their brains are dedicated to sensory processing. The experimental approach is fascinating: Calder uses valproic acid—a drug known to increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders when taken by pregnant women—to induce autism-like traits in zebrafish. By studying these fish, Calder and his team can examine the brain regions involved in sensory integration and explore how they may be affected in autism. By understanding how sensory integration is altered in autism, Calder’s research could lead to new insights and potential treatments that improve the lives of those affected by the disorder.
Dr. Arminda Suli has worked closely with Calder and describes him as “an inquisitive and dedicated student who takes initiative in his research, often coming up with creative solutions.” She emphasizes that Calder “not only teaches students technical skills, but helps them understand the science behind the experiments and develop into critical thinkers.”
As Calder reflects on the research he has participated in and the students he has mentored, he reports a sense of gratitude. “The more I look at the details of how things work, the more I’m convinced that it’s not just random,” he shares. “People try to separate science and God, but I’m learning that God works through scientific mechanisms.” Through his research and mentorship, Calder continues to prove that the pursuit of knowledge is not only about discovery but also about spreading joy and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.