Ciara Reyes-Ton

Writer, Editor

United States

Ciara Reyes-Ton is a biologist, science writer and editor who is passionate about science communication to faith communities. She has a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan. She has served as Managing Editor for the American Scientific Affiliation’s God & Nature Magazine, and previously taught Biology at Belmont University and Nashville State Community College. She is currently the Digital Content Editor for BioLogos and an Adjunct Professor at Lipscomb University. Outside science, she enjoys singing as part of her band Mount Carmell and drinking coffee. She recently released a new single “To Become Human,” a song that explores the biology and theology of what it means to be human. She is also the author of “Look Closely,” a science and faith devotional that explores the life of Christ by bringing scripture in conversation with science, from water walking lizards to dividing cells and resurrecting corals.

Portfolio
American Scientific Affiliation newsletter
04/03/2023
The Resurrection and the Life

Jesus says he is the resurrection and the life, but what does that mean, at least biologically speaking?

BioLogos
03/31/2023
10 Christian Women to Know: STEM Edition

From Presidents and CEOs, to researchers, and science writers, Christian women in STEM are leaders in their fields and paving the way for others to follow.

BioLogos
04/22/2022
Betsy Painter: Caring for God's Wild and Wondrous Planet - Article - BioLogos

Betsy Painter talks about her new book, "A Christian's Guide to Planet Earth: Why it Matters and How to Care for it." She shares what inspired her to write the book, discusses eco-anxiety and offers practical things we can do as Christians to help recover and restore God's beauty in the broken parts of creation.

God & Nature Magazine
Interview: "Deep Incarnation & the Cosmos: A Conversation with Niels Henrik Gregersen" by Ciara...

CR: In this issue of God & Nature, our topic is "Cosmology & Theology," which you have extensively and beautifully explored through your writings on incarnation theology. For our readers, what is the incarnation, and what is the relationship between what you describe as, "the grand-scale story of the world of creation, cosmic in scope and pitiless in its operations, and the small-scale story of Jesus as embodying divine empathy?"

God & Nature Magazine
Interview: Corina Newsome, environmentalist and animal keeper

For Corina Newsome, Ambassador Animal Keeper at the Nashville Zoo, nature has something to teach us about the importance of diversity and loving our neighbors, from the molecular level all the way up to the level of the organism and beyond. Corina has a B.A.

God & Nature Magazine
Reyes, Communion During Loss

Now that we know what we have-Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God-let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all-all but the sin.

ORBITER
12/30/2019
Hidden Worlds Revealed | ORBITER

Ask anybody in almost any field of science how and why they got into their work, and the answer, more often than not, involves a favorite teacher somewhere along the way. That's certainly the case for Leonard Scott, who has been practicing dentistry in Indianapolis since 1973.

ORBITER
12/16/2019
A Gospel of Creation Care | ORBITER

It's been estimated that there are about 8.7 million different species of organisms on our planet, from plants and animals to fungi and algae, not including bacteria. And every year new organisms are discovered. In 2016 alone, scientists reportedly discovered 18,000 new species!

ORBITER
11/15/2019
Science Evangelism | ORBITER | Science & Spirituality

I remember the first time I heard the word proselytize. I was just starting college, and for some reason, despite growing up in church, I didn't know its meaning. The campus minister was giving my dad and me a tour of the chapel when my dad asked a question.

ORBITER
10/21/2019
Why Did the Squirrel Cross the Road? | ORBITER

Driving to lab one day as a grad student, I saw some ducks crossing the road. They crossed at a comfortable pace-not too slowly so as to suggest feelings of entitlement to the traffic they were holding up, but certainly not too quickly to suggest that they were afraid.

ORBITER
09/23/2019
Seeds and Soil | ORBITER | Science & Spirituality | Ciara Reyes-Ton

When I was a graduate student, I bought a black pine bonsai seed kit, hoping to grow a miniature tree that would decorate my work bench and perhaps accompany me through the remainder of my graduate school journey. I waited impatiently as my seed slowly germinated, watching closely for the first appearance of a sprout.

ORBITER
07/01/2019
Quiescence Is the Hardest Part | ORBITER |

I recently returned from my honeymoon in Florida, where my husband and I found humor in our inclination for relaxing water rides like the lazy river while steering clear of all the sky-scraping roller coasters that would've amused our younger selves.

ORBITER
08/23/2019
Rebirth or Regeneration? | ORBITER |

As a biologist, I often find myself looking to the natural world to better understand the spiritual. Whether it's learning how to wait patiently on God from quiescent cells or considering what stem cells might have to say on the topic of calling, reflecting on what I understand helps me make sense of what I don't (yet) understand.

God & Nature Magazine
Interview: Carla Ramos, molecular biologist

What is SACNAS, and what has been your role or involvement in the organization over the years? SACNAS is an acronym that stands for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.

Women Scholars and Professionals
08/25/2020
A Cell Biologist's Prayer

Consider this prayer from the perspective of biologist Ciara Reyes-Ton.

Peaceful Science
02/15/2021
Paul Louis Metzger: On New Wine, New Wineskins

Peaceful Science is built around deep partnerships and collaborations. One partnership that has recently emerged is with the The Institute for Cultural Engagement: New Wine, New Wineskins (NWNW), an organization dedicated to building relational bridges through Jesus across cultural divides of class, sexuality, gender, faith and science, and religious pluralism.

Peaceful Science
04/11/2021
Jon Garvey: A Biblical Theology of People Outside the Garden

Born in Guildford, England, Jon Garvey studied medicine at Cambridge University, and later studied theology through the Open Theological College, University of Gloucestershire. Since 2011, his blog The Hump of the Camel has explored the theology of creation, attracting an extensive readership across the world, and he has also contributed extensively at BioLogos and Peaceful Science.

Peaceful Science
02/24/2022
Entering Science from a Historically Black University

Sierra A. Nance is a PhD Candidate at the University of Michigan. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from Winston Salem State University in 2015 and is currently pursuing her PhD in Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan. Sierra was awarded the Ruth L.