About the Author
Dr. Keith Verner is a scientist, educator, and founder of LabLearner® and Schola Scientiae LLC. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from Cornell University and served as a professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, where he taught and conducted research in Cellular and Molecular Physiology as well as Developmental Pediatrics & Learning. His academic training and decades of classroom experience uniquely position him to integrate rigorous science with deep theological reflection.
Over the past twenty years, Dr. Verner has designed thousands of pages of curriculum, interactive student resources, and teacher guides, all rooted in inquiry-based learning and cognitive science. He authored BrainSTEM: Understanding Why STEM-Infused Instruction Works (NCEA, 2019), which explores how classroom practices align with the latest findings in neuroscience and learning theory.
Dr. Verner’s educational philosophy is simple yet profound: if information is presented clearly and in the right sequence, students will discover truth on their own. Rather than lecturing conclusions, he believes in equipping students with the tools and guidance to think critically and draw their own insights—whether in science, faith, or moral reasoning.
The Faith & Reason Series represents the culmination of this vision. By weaving together the methods of science and the wisdom of Catholic theology, the program helps students cultivate both intellectual maturity and spiritual depth. Dr. Verner sees this integration not only as an academic exercise but as a way to form character and virtue, preparing students to navigate a complex world with clarity, compassion, and faith.
Human Cognition Expert Consultant
Dr. Paul Eslinger is a neuropsychologist and professor emeritus at Penn State College of Medicine with decades of experience in both clinical and research settings. His work has focused on the development of executive functions, learning, memory, and decision-making in children and adults, as well as the effects of brain injury and disease on cognition and behavior. Widely published and internationally recognized, Dr. Eslinger has contributed more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively on how neuroscience informs education, psychology, and medicine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Eslinger has held appointments in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Behavioral Science, making him a leader in understanding the complex relationship between brain development, emotion, and learning. His research has helped educators, clinicians, and families better appreciate how children think, adapt, and grow—and how challenges such as stress, anxiety, or cognitive rigidity can be met with compassion and effective strategies.
As an expert collaborator in the Faith & Reason Series, Dr. Eslinger provides vital insights into how scientific knowledge of the brain intersects with human virtue, decision-making, and spiritual growth. His contributions strengthen the curriculum’s ability to show students not only how the brain works but also why it matters for living wisely, responsibly, and faithfully.