The Emory-Tibet Science Initiative

08/28/2026

Celebrating a Legacy of Compassion, Education, and Service

Last evening, friends, colleagues, students, and community members gathered at Drepung Loseling Monastery to celebrate Dr. Lobsang Tenzin Negi (Geshe Lobsang la) and honor his decades of visionary leadership, dedicated service, and profound impact on Emory and communities around the world.

The evening was filled with heartfelt tributes, cherished memories, and expressions of gratitude. Special messages from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, and Drepung Loseling Monastery in India were read, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of Geshe Lobsang la’s contributions. His Holiness has expressed his deep appreciation for Geshe la’s dedication to the field of education and for the key role he played in developing a deep and meaningful partnership between Emory University and His Holiness that has spanned almost three decades.

Among those sharing reflections were Dean Robert Paul, Geshe Lobsang la’s longtime mentor and PhD advisor; Gary Hauk, former Vice President of Emory University who was instrumental in founding the Emory-Tibet Partnership, which later evolved into the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics; and other distinguished colleagues and friends. Dr. Robert (Rob) Roeser, incoming Executive Director of the Center, presented Geshe Lobsang la with a special book filled with messages, memories, and well wishes from people around the world whose lives he has touched.

Geshe Lobsang la shared his own reflections and aspirations as he prepares for the next chapter of his journey—a three-year spiritual retreat in India. The formal program concluded with an auspicious chant, followed by a warm reception, khata offerings, and personal well wishes.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this meaningful celebration and, above all, to Geshe Lobsang la for the extraordinary legacy of compassion, education, and service he has built and shared with us all.

Sharing a few moments from a truly special evening.

And the link to Kudoboard, where you can enjoy the messages people around the globe have shared with Geshe la.

https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/3Y4Lj55A

08/25/2026

Finally, a group photo of the 8th Cohort Tenzin Gyatso Science Scholars (TGSS) at the Emory University gate! With the recent arrival of two more scholars, five members of the cohort are now together at Emory. They are from Drepung Loseling, Sera Jey, Sera Mey, Bokar Shedra, and Tashi Lhunpo.

The three scholars who arrived last fall are beginning their second year at Emory, while the two who joined this fall are beginning their first year. We wish them the best and hope they will make their time at Emory meaningful, productive, and fun.

07/06/2026

07/05/2026

Biology Content Specialization – June Highlights

It is not only scientists—particularly biologists—who seek to understand life, its origins, and the mechanisms that drive change. Monastics, too, are deeply interested in exploring the nature of life, its defining characteristics, and its fundamental essence, with the shared aspiration of making life more meaningful.

During this year's Biology Content Specialization course, the monastic students engaged with these enduring questions while exploring a wide range of topics in modern biology. Their studies included the mechanisms underlying biodiversity, the role of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in adaptive change, and the evidence for empathy, altruism, and compassion in non-human animals—offering insights into the evolutionary roots of these qualities. Recognizing that all life exists within interconnected systems, participants also examined key concepts in population biology and ecology.

The month-long course culminated in student presentations on topics such as the origin of species, human evolution, and symbiosis. Drawing on the pedagogical frameworks and teaching methodologies they developed during the preceding Sustainability Phase, participants designed and facilitated mini-lessons for their peers. In doing so, they became not only learners but also educators, actively contributing to the intellectual and pedagogical life of the program.

It was a rich and immersive month of learning, teaching, and meaningful dialogue at the intersection of science and spirituality.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. David Westmoreland, Dr. Miguel Reyes, Dr. Rachelle Spell, and Dr. Kate O'Toole for their exemplary teaching, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout the course. Their continued support and commitment to the program are deeply appreciated. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Gen. Dhondup Wangmo and Gen. Tenzin Jangchub for their dedicated support as teaching assistants and translators. Their contributions throughout the course were greatly appreciated.

07/03/2026

How do billions of neurons work together to create thoughts, emotions, and consciousness? Why do chemicals in the brain shape our mood, memory, and behavior? These were some of the fascinating questions explored by our monastic students during this summer's Content Specialization course on Neuroscience. The study of neuroscience resonates deeply with the students, whose education is centered on understanding consciousness, thoughts, emotions, and sensations.

Throughout this month-long course, they attended lectures, read scientific papers, delivered group presentations, and engaged in lively debates on cutting-edge topics, including the role of astrocytes in neural coding.

The course concluded with a week of micro-teaching, where the students became the teachers—transforming complex neuroscience concepts into engaging lessons for their peers. Their presentations reflected not only a deep understanding of the material but also their growing confidence as scholars and educators.

This inspiring course was made possible through the incredible teaching of Dr. Aminda O'Hare and Dr. Jeremy Purcell. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them, as well as to their teaching assistants and translators—especially Gen. Tenzin Choephel, Gen Dhondup Wangmo, Gen. Dorjee Sangpo, Geshe Lodoe Sangpo, and Ven. Kalden Gyatso—for their dedication and support in making this remarkable learning experience possible.

07/02/2026

What is the ultraviolet catastrophe? How did it trigger one of the biggest shifts in the history of physics? What evidence shows that light behaves like particles? The last question is related to why comets' tails always point away from the Sun. These were just some of the fascinating questions the monastic students explored during this summer's Content Specialization course in physics.

In the classical mechanics portion of the course, they worked with equations to calculate position, velocity, and acceleration, plotted graphs of motion, and analyzed projectile motion. What an exciting way to spend the summer! At least, that was how the monastics approached their physics course, engaging with the material with great enthusiasm.

Much of that enthusiasm was inspired by the outstanding teaching of Dr. Mu-Chun Chen and Dr. Katja Biswas. We are deeply grateful to our two excellent instructors and to their assistants and translators—Dr. Tenzin Tenkyong, Migmar Tashi, and Tsondue Samphel.

The month-long course concluded with a week of micro-teaching, where the students became the teachers and presented these fascinating topics to their peers.

07/01/2026

Sharing a photo of the amazing team at the Drepung Loseling Meditation and Science Center, who supported every aspect of the ETSI Summer and Winter Programs. This dedicated group of staff at the Science Center deserves our deepest thanks for their hard work, kindness, and willingness to go the extra mile to make our stay comfortable, enjoyable, and productive. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for your dedication to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's vision, your unwavering commitment to the work of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI), and the exceptional care you have shown to our faculty, staff, and students.

Thank you for all that you do!

06/30/2026

From June 28–30, participants in the ETSI Year 1 Summer Pedagogy Program (Sustainability Training, Cohort 2) took part in an intensive Philosophy of Science course, exploring foundational questions about science, reasoning, and inquiry. The course was led by Dr. David Henderson, who has been a dedicated faculty member of the ETSI program for more than a decade. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Henderson for his years of teaching, for his mentorship, his dry humor, and the invaluable contributions to the program.

Through guided discussions and immersive reflection, participants examined key concepts in scientific methodology, the nature of scientific explanation, and the relationship between philosophy and scientific practice, deepening their understanding of how scientific knowledge is developed and evaluated.

With the completion of this course, we have successfully concluded the Year 1 Specialization Phase summer intensive programs, which includes both the Summer Pedagogy Program (Sustainability Training, Cohort 2) and the Summer Content Specialization Program (Specialization Training, Cohort 1).

We are deeply thankful to the John Templeton Foundation for its continuous support over the past decade that has enabled our work to grow and flourish. We also extend our deepest appreciation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Office for its continued guidance and support, and to Emory University for believing in this program and maintaining its partnership and collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In the coming days, we will continue sharing highlights from the Summer Content Specialization Program (Cohort 1)—the most advanced level of ETSI training so far—including insights into the courses in physics, biology, and neuroscience, as well as the distinguished faculty who led them.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to everyone who made this year's Summer Intensive Programs meaningful and enriching—our faculty, students, translators, graduate science teachers, and the administrators and staff of the Drepung Loseling Science Center. Your dedication, collaboration, and tireless efforts made these programs a truly rewarding experience for all.

06/29/2026

From June 21–27, participants in the ETSI Summer Pedagogy program explored the fundamentals of mechanics while strengthening their teaching skills. Led by Dr. Ramakrishna Podila and Dr. Jason Ybarra, the course combined interactive discussions, hands-on PhET simulations, and collaborative learning to deepen content knowledge and develop pedagogy methods.

As part of Sustainability Training Cohort 2, participants studied vectors, Newton's Laws, momentum, forces, work and energy, circular motion, projectile motion, and universal gravitation, concluding with a post-assessment and reflection.

We sincerely thank Dr. Ramakrishna Podila and Dr. Jason Ybarra for their expertise and dedication. Here are some highlights from a week of engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and interactive learning.

06/26/2026

Honoring Our ETSI Graduate Teachers

Nearly six years ago, ETSI established the Graduate Science Teacher positions to strengthen science education across our collaborating monastic institutions. As we conclude the Year 1 Summer Intensive Programs, we would like to celebrate these remarkable teachers and express our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and service.

Throughout the year, they teach, train, mentor, and nurture monastic students. And during the Summer and Winter Intensive Programs, they serve as teaching assistants, translators, and cultural bridges, and help create a rich and collaborative learning environment. They have become an essential part of ETSI's continued growth and success.

To our ETSI Graduate Teachers, we want to thank you for all that you do. Your dedication has made a lasting impact on your students, your monastic communities, and the ETSI program. We are deeply grateful for your service and look forward to many more years of working together to advance science education.