Career Highlights






Transforming biomedical science through computational approaches and visionary initiatives like the Human Genome Project—establishing new standards for collaborative research that continues to shape modern medicine.
Building bridges between cutting-edge science and public understanding through award-winning writing, pioneering educational programs, and commitment to making rigorous science accessible and inspiring.
Excellence through curiosity and rigor. Whether pioneering the Human Genome Project or exploring physics with young minds, transformative science requires both bold vision and dedication to accessible, ethical practice.
“Bestowed upon books that we find perfect in their delivery of original content using fresh themes to convey innovative ideas and employing elegant prose to transform words into expertly written literature.”
An imaginative journey through the wonders of science, told through the eyes of Caroline Angstrom, a curious teenager whose endless questions spark deep, delightful conversations about physics, climate change, artificial intelligence, music, and more. Over nine years of engaging dialogue, Charles DeLisi, PhD weaves storytelling and science into vibrant conversations that captivate readers of all ages. From unraveling the mysteries of spinning tops and the timbre of music to examining Earth’s fragile climate and the future of artificial intelligence, this book inspires readers to rediscover the joy of asking “Why?”
“Charles DeLisi’s Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall? is an imaginative, intellectually vibrant book that merges science, storytelling and familial warmth. His writing glows with personality. Caroline isn’t just a mouthpiece for questions. She’s real. She banters, challenges, and jokes. The conversations in the book don’t just have questions and answers but also showcase the interplay of different perspectives in family members and friends, mimicking the flow of real-life discussions, where a question sparks another and one’s understanding deepens through shared exploration. The discussions often diverge into unexpected territory ranging from ethical debates to poetry, literature and music, while always returning to the central theme of science.”
Perfect for:
"DeLisi’s writing glows with personality—witty, warm, and sometimes deliciously nerdy. I genuinely loved the way the characters banter. Caroline isn’t just a mouthpiece for questions—she’s real."
"DeLisi proves to be a superb teacher ... his explications, with accompanying graphs and charts (all well-chosen, and never overwhelming), wonderfully demystify the many wonders of the everyday organized into prose that’s formidable but never intimidating."



City College of New York (1963)
Yale University, Department of Chemistry National Institutes of Health Research Fellowship
Founded and chaired the first PhD program in the nation in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology. It has now granted more than 180 doctoral degrees and more than 200 master's degrees. This is relevant to the impact on STEM education
charlesdelisi@gmail.com
Charles De Lisi, PhD.
Metcalf Professor of Science and Engineering
Boston University
College of Engineering
Boston, MA