Our Team
Ravi jain, president
Ravi Scott Jain, is the graduate scholar in science and religion at Oriel College, Oxford University pursuing his doctorate in Philosophical Theology. His dissertation is titled, “Whose Mathematics, Which World? Discrete and Continuous Quantity in the Vestigia Trinitatis and the thought of C.S. Peirce and Mary Hesse.” He has coauthored The Liberal Arts Tradition (also in Chinese and Portuguese) and A New Natural Philosophy. His third book The Enchanted Cosmos (also in Chinese) is due to be released in 2024. He taught Calculus and Physics for many years and developed an integrated class called “The Scientific Revolution.” In that class students read primary sources like Galileo and Newton in order to recapitulate the narrative of discovery and explore its deeper meanings while preserving the mathematical and scientific rigor expected of a college level treatment. He has consulted with government and church leaders on education and has spoken widely throughout America, Africa, China, and Europe.
Major Alexander G. Fogassy, treasurer
I am an active-duty US Air Force officer being funded to study for a doctorate, as part of a unique officer development program sponsored by the USAF Chief of Staff. My primary Air Force career of ~12 years is pilot, and I’ve served in various operational tours in different locations around the world flying the F-16. Before coming to Oxford, I was stationed near Fairbanks Alaska with my wife (Sara) and two children (Evelyn and Elijah), who are all accompanying me in England. I graduated Oxford with an MSt in Science and Religion July 2022 (Mansfield College), and before Oxford I completed (Feb 2020) an MA in Philosophy and Apologetics (in-correspondence) from Southern California Bible College and Seminary, San Diego California, near my hometown of Oceanside. My undergraduate is in astronautical engineering (w/ a minor in Arabic) from the United States Air Force Academy (class of 2012). My first year at Oxford, 2021-2022, I played for the university American Football Club (OULAFC) and the university Athletics Club (OUAC). I’ve since continued with Athletics and have also picked up rowing (Oriel Summer VIII’s 2023, and hopefully again 2024). At Oriel, I’m involved in my MCR and am one of the founding officers and treasurer for the Oriel College Metaphysical Club (OCMC). I’m also a reader for the Newton House Theological Centre, in central Oxford. I’ll depart Oxford for my next assignment Summer/Fall 2024, possibly returning to the cockpit, or perhaps fulfilling an advisory role at the Pentagon (or anything in between).
christine rosa de freitas, VIce-President
Christine Rosa de Freitas is a 2nd year MPhil student reading Old Testament Theology at Oriel College. She hails from Brazil but has also lived in Kenya, the US, and Israel, giving her a deep appreciation for language and how it shapes worldview. Her research interests involve textual authority, storytelling in the Greek versions of Esther, and Biblical concepts of personhood. Her thesis investigates how concepts of perfection embedded in the Torah shape perspectives of the "self" in the Bible and other Second Temple Jewish texts. Although ontological questions rank high on her list of interests, she also rows, bakes, teaches, and attempts to read Tolkien in Hebrew.
Ashby Neterer, secretary
Ashby Neterer is a DPhil candidate in Theology at Oxford University (Oriel College). He has earned an MA of Theological Studies (summa cum laude) from Princeton Theological Seminary and a BA in Religion with Classics minor (Phi Beta Kappa) from Hampden-Sydney College. Apart from these, he holds a graduate certification in business and finance (with distinction) from the University of Virginia (McIntire School of Commerce). Every year for the past eleven years, he has delivered one or more presentations at academic conferences on topics in Classics, Religion, and Theology. This year at the Oxford Patristic Conference, he will deliver his forthcoming publication with Studia Patristica entitled “The Perfect Road in the Syriac Book of Steps.” His DPhil dissertation “Christus Patiens” focuses on Gregory of Nazianzen’s eponymous Greek play, which he has translated for future publication. His non-academic publications include poetry (Garnet Literary Magazine), prose (Christian Post, Real Clear Religion, etc.), and music (“Holding On To Richmond” on iTunes). Outside of his professional interests, he has competed in world semi-finals of Drum Corps International as a baritone player, served as Vice-Presdent of the Virginia Phi Beta Kappa, and rowed for Oriel College at Oxford in Torpids and Summer Eights (Eliot Prize recipient). Currently, he is focused on improving his marathon time, learning to dance Cuban salsa, and practicing jazz piano.