When Science Meets the Soul: Presentation and Book Launch (In-Person)

This event includes a brief presentation by the author, a panel interview, an engaging contemplative practice and time for book signing.

When Science Meets the Soul by Vipul Mankad blends memoir, science, and spirituality to explore the question of human identity and the search for deeper healing. The book traces Mankad’s life journey from childhood in India to his career as a physician and scientist in the United States, reflecting on how culture, migration, family, and personal challenges shaped his understanding of self and purpose.

The narrative integrates personal experiences—such as caring for children with serious illnesses and navigating discrimination in academic medicine—with insights from genetics, evolution, history, and neuroscience. These scientific perspectives are used to examine how biology and environment influence human identity and behavior.

In the book’s later sections, Mankad turns to philosophy and spirituality, drawing on meditation, yoga, and Hindu philosophical traditions to explore consciousness and inner balance. Rather than opposing science and spirituality, he presents them as complementary ways of understanding life’s deeper questions.

Overall, the book argues that while social labels and external achievements shape our lives, true well-being comes from understanding the deeper self beyond the body and mind. It encourages readers to use reflection, meditation, and scientific curiosity to pursue meaning, balance, and a “good life.”

Dr. Vipul Mankad is a physician specializing in treating children with cancer and blood diseases. He is an internationally recognized biomedical scientist, a former endowed professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and a past advisor to the U.S. Senate (2003-2005). As a critical thinker rooted in both ancient Indian and Western philosophical traditions, he is also a meditation expert. He explores life’s fundamental questions and enjoys sharing stories that illustrate their answers.