Sitting in a class of over a hundred students, Ty Skyles (MMBIO ’25) smiled as he listened raptly to Dr. Jamie Jensen describe the connection between human evolution and divine intervention. As a teaching assistant, Skyles found that witnessing the class from a different perspective only deepened his appreciation for Jensen’s approach. She addresses traditionally sensitive topics like evolution, climate change, and vaccines with grace and tact, providing students with the space they need to explore the different perspectives underlying each issue.
“The students respond so well to these lessons,” Skyles shares. “They realize that they can be big believers in evolution while also remaining deeply religious. Jensen emphasizes that religion can answer the why, and science can answer the how—a lot of people really respond to that.” For Skyles, his time in Jensen’s class encapsulates the best of his undergraduate experience. At BYU, the intersection of faith and science is not only explored but celebrated, and because of that, Skyles’ academic experience has offered him a richer understanding of the world around him—something that he is immensely grateful for.
Building on the foundation of faith and science that Jensen fostered in the classroom, Skyles expanded his academic journey through hands-on research experiences. Working in Dr. Brian Poole’s lab, Skyles focused on studying vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from before the pandemic, Skyles readministered the same survey to the same group after the pandemic began. This allowed him to analyze how attitudes toward vaccines had changed over time, comparing pre-pandemic and post-pandemic responses.
“What we discovered was encouraging,” shares Skyles. “Before COVID-19, people would mainly get vaccinated to protect themselves. After COVID-19, people would get vaccinated to protect the community.” Surprised by this data, Skyles realized that COVID-19 caused not just the politicization of vaccines, but a cultural shift in how we understand disease. To many people, the vaccine wasn’t just a way to protect themselves, but a way to protect their grandparents. “It’s a really cool thing that our communities are working together to protect the most vulnerable,” he says optimistically. Skyles also uncovered a range of other interesting trends, such as the minimal impact of advertising on vaccine uptake and the finding that religious individuals were more likely to get vaccinated.
This research opportunity, along with others, not only deepened Skyles’ understanding of the scientific process but also solidified his commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. “I chose medicine because it’s a very human field,” Skyles explains. “It’s essentially a service industry, and for me, that’s what makes it so compelling. You can serve people and also gain really cool, practical skills.” As Skyles approaches the end of his undergraduate experience, he looks forward with eagerness to the prospect of medical school, where he will be able to gain clinical experience and find fulfillment in the service he provides.
In a way, accepting the limits of science has allowed me to trust more in God.
As he reflects on the intersection of faith and science, Skyles embraces the idea that while science can provide us with cures to diseases and allow us to explore amazing technology, there are limitations to the questions it can answer about life. “In a way, accepting the limits of science has allowed me to trust more in God,” Skyles explains. “There are some things that I can never truly learn empirically. Instead, I need to explore other methods of knowing.”
For rising seniors hoping to follow in his footsteps, Skyles has much to share. “Get to know the professors and the people in your classes,” he says. “Get involved with research and extracurriculars—you never know where those connections might take you.” Reflecting on his own experiences, he shares how invaluable mentorship has been to his journey: “Dr. Poole and Dr. Jensen have been incredibly supportive. I’ve learned so much from them, and they’ve always made time to guide me, whether it's teaching me new skills or offering advice.” For Skyles, it's these connections that have made all the difference in his academic journey.