At its core, science is a story of beginnings. Where did we come from? How did we get here? Where are we going next? This issue of Catalyst, centered on the theme of “Origins,” invites us to explore those fundamental questions through the lens of scientific inquiry at the University of Notre Dame.
In this issue, we feature researchers probing for the origins of life in RNA and searching for Earth-like worlds among our nearby stars. Even our Museum of Biodiversity in Jordan Hall of Science is rich with origins. In our early days, courses in the natural sciences, among the first offered on our fledgling campus, were brought to life by museum specimens.
These and other stories remind us that every scientific endeavor begins with a question. Although our scientists begin with those questions, hope is what fuels their passions. At Notre Dame, scientific discovery is not only about data, but also about serving humanity and building a better future. Hope drives our students, faculty, and alumni to ask not only what is possible. They also ask: What is good and meaningful? What will endure?