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Our present understanding of the nature of the universe is possible because of a tremendous legacy from some of the famous names in science. As a physical scientist I think of the many important people from the mid-1920's who developed the quantum theory.

Many theories in science are first presented at international meetings. This photograph of well-known scientists was taken at the international Solvay Conference in 1927. Among those present are many whose names are still known today.
Front row, left to right: I. Langmuir, M. Planck, M. Curie, H. A. Lorentz, A. Einstein, P. Langevin, C. E. Guye, C. T. R. Wilson, O. W. Richardson.
Second row, left to right: P. Debye, M. Knudsen, W. L. Bragg, H. A. Kramers, P. A. M. Dirac, A. H. Compton, L. V. de Broglie, M. Born, N. Bohr.
Standing, left to right: A. Piccard, E. Henriot, P. Ehrenfest, E. Herzen, T. De Donder, E. Schroedinger, E. Verschaffelt, W. Pauli, W. Heisenberg, R. H. Fowler, L. Brillouin.

Of interest is how many of the big names in science believe in God. Interestingly a survey done in 2005 showed that two thirds of scientists believe in God. But there are striking differences depending on the type of research that they do. 76 percent of medical doctors said they believed in God according to a University of Chicago study.

A separate Rice University study, which surveyed 1,646 scientists at elite research universities, found 62 per cent of natural scientists in disciplines like physics, chemistry and biology claimed a belief in God.

Famous scientists of the past whose work was foundational in science and who had a strong belief in God include:

• Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
• Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
• Rene Decartes (1596-1650)
• Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
• Robert Boyle (1791-1867)
• Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
• Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
• Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) (1824-1907)
• Max Planck (1858-1947)

A key figure in what is arguably the most important project in science today, the human genome project, is Dr Francis Collins. Dr. Collins has worked with a large international team for 10 years on this effort to decode the human genome. Of special interest is Dr. Collins’ strong Christian commitment. Although growing up in a church-going family, Dr. Collins was quite boldly atheistic while a young adult. Personal reflection on issues of faith, significantly aided by the writings of C. S. Lewis, brought him to the point of conviction of Christian truth claims. He states that his Christian commitment is "the most important organizing principle in my life".