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Connie Bertka is Program Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion. The program facilitates exchange between the religious community and the scientific community in order to both improve the level of scientific understanding in religious communities, and to encourage collaboration among the two communities to address critical multidisciplinary issues. Connie received her Ph.D. in Geology from Arizona State University in 1991. The focus of her research in Planetary Geology has been exploring the origin and evolution of terrestrial planets. Connie was a Senior Research Associate at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington from 1993 to 2000. Much of her work at the Geophysical Laboratory focused on modeling the interior structure and composition of Mars utilizing data from high-pressure laboratory experiments. She also directed the laboratories educational outreach program for undergraduates. In addition to her scientific work, Connie has had a long term interest in the relationships between science and religion and their influence on public understanding of science. She also holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. While at AAAS Connie has initiated projects that encourage constructive interaction between the scientific community and society at large on a diverse range of topics including astrobiology, bioresponsibility, science education and evolution.
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