I am very honored to share with you the upcoming publication (April 22 – online) of a collection of papers with ideas discussed in the working Group Liquid Brains, Solid Brains, held at the Santa Fe Institute. I am very humbled to be a contributor to this issue. I will share the table of contentsContinue reading "Liquid Brains, Solid Brains"

I like thinking about the relationship between science and faith. On the other hand, my own relationship with faith is kind of… complicated, and although my wife says that I am a closeted Christian, I consider myself a *very* hopeful agnostic (at least most of the time; for more details please see this post ofContinue reading "My Intelligent Design Weekend"

This is an adaptation of an older post from when my first book was published. Still relevant though… I decided to make this a series of 3-4 posts prompted by a suggestion from a friend and colleague who asked me if I would consider posting something about my experiences as an academic who also writesContinue reading "Professor, Scientist… and Author – Part I"

A walk down memory lane: This is my first research group; they were coauthors of my first few papers as an independent scientist, and more importantly, they caught the dreams they pursued and are now practicing their chosen professions. I am one proud Master Jedi… See  how dark and nice my beard and moustache were?Continue reading "The Pagán Lab: Mentoring Women in STEM since 2006"

I got ink today! ? Honestly, I do not know if this is a mid-life crisis thing. If it is, well… *It is way cheaper than a sports car… *Way safer than a motorcycle… *And waaaaaaaaaaay safer than other activities that according to my dear wife, will result in the loss of a few bodyContinue reading "I got ink today … Science Ink!"

I need a “happy tears” emoji… Someone told me today that reading my “Strange Survivors” made them gain a new respect for evolution… ??? Thank you! ~~ **To subscribe to my mailing list please click here. ~~ **If you like what I write, kindly spread the word about this blog! **For a list of all myContinue reading "I need a “happy tears” emoji…"

Hello all! I have set up a subscriber’s email list to send announcements about my book projects, other writing projects, freebies, book signings and talks, etc. You may subscribe by going to the following site: https://tinyletter.com/orpagan Or by clicking here. Of course, you will be able to unsubscribe at any time, but why would youContinue reading "Mailing list for my books and other writing projects"

God indeed has a peerless sense of humor. A few months ago, a friend and colleague, Dr. Eric Sweet, asked me if I would be interested to give a short talk at his church. The topic? Essentially about any aspect of science and faith. In the spirit of full disclosure, I told him that IContinue reading "God has a divine sense of humor"

I want to feel hopeful, but sometimes are easier than others. I unapologetically wish that I’d have faith in “something more” than this life, as much as I love living it. I wish to truly believe that there is a God, because among many other reasons, it would be nice to have someone to thankContinue reading "I hope God remembers"

**Sigh** This is getting really old. It is also sad. Every one of us wants to be remembered. It is just human nature. In the particular case of us scientists, we generally want to be remembered by our contributions, however minor, to the better understanding of nature. In the case of ground-breaking, paradigm-shifting discoveries thereContinue reading "James D. Watson does it again or The sad twilight of a world-class scientist"

This is a message to all my fellow Spanish-speaking biology enthusiasts! I will be interviewed by the talented science communicator Ms. Sofía Martínez Villalpando in her YouTube channel “The Biologist Apprentice” this Friday January 11 at 7pm EST. It should be fun! (:-) ~~~~~ **If you like what I write, kindly spread the word aboutContinue reading "To all my fellow Spanish-speaking biology enthusiasts!"

Three Kings’ Day is one of the most important parts of the Christmas season for Hispanic families. It was a big deal when I was little, and I have tried to keep the tradition alive in my own family. Some of my most beautiful memories of my childhood are from this day. This holiday isContinue reading "Happy Epiphany / Three Kings‘ Day … Planarian Style"

There are very few books that I'll read twice or more. This will be one of them.

Did you read “Strange Survivors”? Did you like it? Did you hate it? Either way, would you post a short review at Amazon? I would love to hear what did I do right, but more importantly, what can I do better… thanks! ? ~~~~~ **If you like my writings, kindly spread the word about thisContinue reading "Did you read “Strange Survivors”?"

Hello All! In these time of the year, in an admittedly arbitrary way, most of us reflect on our lives and what the previous year has brought. These are uncertain, sad, perhaps even dangerous times. We all have people whom we have lost and are dearly missed. We all have went through challenges, triumphs, andContinue reading "Merry Everything!"

When you are at risk of being shot at school, work, the supermarket, church, and even at f’ing yoga class, among many other places, something is clearly wrong. Any person with a bare inkling of honesty and human decency will admit to that. #VOTE Advertisements

Originally posted on April 15, 2013, but it is significantly updated ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last night we were watching Gabriel (Fluffy) Iglesias’ latest special (Note: he is not that Fluffly anymore; he’s lost a lot of weight for the sake of his health. Good for him!).  Fluffy is a comedian and a hilarious one too.  He isContinue reading "Fluffy and the Scientist in 2018"

This is not my doing (I have no idea how amazon sets prices), but the Kindle and audio CD versions of Strange Survivors are on sale right now at $9.99 and $9.00 respectively… I have no idea when will these prices be changed. This is a public service announcement courtesy of Baldscientist (:-). To accessContinue reading "Strange Survivors Kindle and audio CD versions on sale"

A few weeks ago I gave a talk to our undergraduate seminar course. Look at what the group gave me! (:-) This is indeed one of the best perks of my job… ~Please be on the lookout for a few book reviews and updates on my writing projects. Talk to you soon!~ ~~~~~ **If youContinue reading "One of the best perks of the job…"

I like posting things like this from time to time, especially at the beginning of each academic year. You see, I enjoy training, mentoring, and interacting with my research guys, I celebrate their triumphs and give the proverbial shoulder to cry on when needed, I looooove publishing with them… Then they graduate and leave me!Continue reading "The first 12 years of the Pagán Lab"