In celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday on February 12th, we participated in Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County’s (HFFC) of Connecticut’s Darwin Day event! HFFC brought together science nerds to learn about evolution.

In this special live episode of DNA Today, we’re sharing highlights from HFFC’s 18th Annual Darwin Day Dinner in Connecticut, a celebration of curiosity, science, and scientists held the Saturday before Darwin’s birthday on February 12th. Our host Kira Dineen led a live fireside chat with the keynote speaker from the distinguished evolutionary biologist Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten. She also introduced Senator Richard Blumenthal who gave a speech about the importance of science now more than ever.

Dr. Gogarten, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, is known for his groundbreaking work on the early evolution of life, horizontal gene transfer, and rooting the Tree of Life. His research has transformed how scientists understand microbial evolution and the complex genetic relationships that connect all living organisms.

This episode captures select moments from the live Darwin Day program, where we explore how Charles Darwin’s famous concept of the “entangled bank” still shapes modern evolutionary biology, and where today’s science has gone far beyond what Darwin could have imagined.

Together, Kira Dineen and Dr. J Peter Gogarten discuss what Darwin got right about natural selection, what modern genomics has revealed about rapid evolutionary change, and why horizontal gene transfer continues to reshape our understanding of how life evolves. The conversation also touches on real-world applications, from antibiotic resistance to emerging genetic technologies, and how curiosity drives scientific discovery across generations.

The evening also featured reflections on the importance of science, humanism, and evidence-based thinking, highlighting the enduring relevance of Darwin’s ideas in today’s world.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

An introduction to Darwin’s life, his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and the creation of On the Origin of Species
Exploration of natural selection and Darwin’s enduring influence on modern biology
How the understanding of genetics, from Mendel to genomics, expands Darwin’s theories
The role of horizontal gene transfer in microbial evolution and its significance
Highlights from Connecticut’s 2026 Darwin Day celebration
Charles Darwin’s “entangled bank” and its relevance today
What Darwin got right—and what modern science has updated
Natural selection at the gene level vs. organism level
Why evolution isn’t always gradual: rapid change and hybridization
Horizontal vs. vertical gene transfer explained
How viruses, bacteria, and other mechanisms move genes across species
The role of horizontal gene transfer in microbial evolution
Real-world implications for medicine, antibiotic resistance, and biotechnology
How curiosity and early inspiration shape scientific careers
The importance of science communication and public engagement

About Our Guest:
Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on the early evolution of life, horizontal gene transfer, and selfish genetic elements. Dr. Gogarten is widely recognized for rooting the Tree of Life and for identifying horizontal gene transfer as a major force in microbial evolution. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA’s Exobiology Program, and the Israel-U.S. Binational Science Foundation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

About the Event:
This episode was recorded live at HFFC's 18th Annual Darwin Day Dinner, held February 7th, 2026. The event celebrated Charles Darwin’s legacy through science, discussion, and community, featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Johan Peter Gogarten on evolution within Darwin’s “tangled bank” and the complex genetic relationships that connect life on Earth.

Please join us at next year’s event which will be held in February 2027 in Connecticut. Stay tuned for more details through the show, or directly on the Connecticut Darwin Day website.

Relevant Resources:

Gogarten Lab at The University of Connecticut
Dr. Johann Peter Gogarten’s LinkedIn Page
“Charles Darwin: History’s Most Famous Biologist” via Natural History Museum
International Darwin Day Foundation
The Connecticut Darwin Day website
Event Host: Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County (HFFC) in Connecticut
HFFC’s Podcast, Humanism Today

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

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#381 Charles Darwin’s Legacy: What He Got Right & What Science Learned Next