Lexi Chirakos, Ph.D., gave the keynote address at Benedictine College’s Discovery Day on April 15, 2026, in the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium of St. John Paul II Student Center.
Approximately 200 students and faculty attended her presentation, titled “The Courage to Be Wrong: A Scientist’s Journey of Discovery Through Questions, Failure, and Faith” where she spoke about her personal and professional life, including her conversion to the Catholic faith.
Chirakos began by sharing her academic journey, from studying microbiology at The Ohio State University to earning a Ph.D. in biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame. She highlighted her passion for science communication and advocacy, which eventually led her to working as a Legislative Services Commission Fellow.
Chirakos now works as the Policy and Data Management Specialist at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) to build evidence-based tools and analyze trends.
Through her story, she offered three key pieces of advice. First, to always be grateful for the opportunity to be wrong and learn from it.
Second, to never stop asking questions in pursuit of truth. Chirakos encouraged the audience to approach their faith in the same way they would science, by asking a question, forming a hypothesis and then seeing where the evidence leads.
Third, to pray unceasingly by staying in conversation with the Lord. This searching and asking can be challenging at times, but that consistent prayer is where clarity and joy come from.
“He is so worth it, all that He is He gives to you. And if that’s not enough, nothing ever will be,” she said.
A brief Q&A followed where she shared about her time in college, her career and motherhood.
