Boston, MA — 28th January, 2026
Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall? Conversations With Curious Caroline — a fresh, engaging exploration of science through the inquisitive lens of a young protagonist, has launched globally.
In his innovative new book, Charles DeLisi follows Caroline from age 13 to 17 in a series of nine wide-ranging in-depth conversations about science and engineering. This book is a groundbreaking guide for teens and parents alike, inviting them to innovative ideas using fresh dialogues that introduce fundamental principles in physics, biology, climate science, and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Charles Delisi is a world-leading scientist, educator, and visionary in computational biology. His book blends narrative curiosity with rigorous scientific explanation, making complex ideas accessible without diluting their depth.
He brings unparalleled expertise to the project, drawing on a distinguished career that bridges foundational research, academic leadership, and public science communication:
Pioneer of the Human Genome Project: Widely recognized as one of the principal initiators of the Human Genome Project — the landmark international effort to map and sequence human DNA — Dr. DeLisi successfully translated this concept into federal policy, securing early funding and broad support for the initiative.
Academic Leadership: Metcalf Professor of Science and Engineering at Boston University and Dean Emeritus of its College of Engineering, he oversaw transformative growth in research infrastructure and innovation, establishing interdisciplinary programs that now lead their fields.
Founding Bioinformatics Innovator: In 1999, he founded and chaired the first doctoral program in bioinformatics and systems biology in the United States, preparing generations of scientists to tackle data-driven challenges in biology and medicine.
Scientific Research and Recognition: With over 200 scientific publications and multiple patents to his name, Dr. DeLisi’s research spans immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, climate science, and more. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and is the recipient of prestigious honors, including the Presidential Citizens Medal awarded by President Bill Clinton.
Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall? leverages Dr. DeLisi’s decades of experience not just as a scientist, but as a teacher and mentor. Through nine vivid conversations with “Curious Caroline,” the book tackles questions that start in everyday life, from how rainbows form to how climate systems change, and leads readers into deeper scientific frameworks with clarity, humor, and joy.
“Science isn’t just data, it’s a conversation,” Dr. DeLisi says. “This book was inspired by the natural curiosity we all had as children. My hope is that readers of every age will rediscover that sense of wonder, while gaining real insight into the forces that shape our world.”
The book has released online across major retailers.
For interviews, review copies, or media assets, please contact at delisi@bu.edu
About Charles DeLisi, Ph.D.
Charles DeLisi is an American biomedical scientist and distinguished professor whose contributions have shaped modern genomics, computational biology, and cross-disciplinary scientific education. His leadership in conceptualizing and advocating for the Human Genome Project, alongside his longstanding academic roles at Boston University and beyond, reflects a career committed to expanding scientific frontiers and public engagement with science.
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