On April 24, 2003, the Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi in partnership with the Charlotte Area Science Network hosted the annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research, the Outstanding Science Educator Awards, and the new PERI Prize for the public understanding of science. Linda Simpson, Chapter Treasurer, coordinated this signature chapter event in style like she has for a decade!

Linda Simpson, Treasurer and Secretary of the Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi

The award ceremonies and reception, sponsored by Goodrich Corporation, were held at Discovery Place’s Wachovia Science Theater from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Among the featured speakers at this event were John Mackay, President of Discovery Place; Steve Huggins, Senior VP at Goodrich Corporation; Linda Simpson, Chapter Treasurer and Assistant Chair of the UNC Charlotte Biology Department; Jack Sommer, President of PERI and Sigma Xi Southeast Regional Director; and Pat Sculley, Executive Director of Sigma Xi.

Pat Sculley, Executive Director of Sigma Xi

This year, nineteen undergraduate researchers along with their research mentors from science, mathematics, and engineering departments in the Charlotte Area Educational Consortium were honored at this event.

The 2003 Award Recipients

From Davidson College honorees included:
Emily Oldham (mentor Dr. Mike Dorcas) and Kristine Grayson (mentor Dr. Malcolm Campbell) for biology;
Soren Johnson (mentor Dr. Julio Ramirez) for neuroscience;
Adam Abele (mentors Dr. Wolfgang Christian and Dr. Mario Belloni) for physics;
Paul Abbott Bryant (mentor Dr. Mark Smith) and Kindiya Deema Geghman, (mentor Dr. Kristi Multhaup) for psychology.

From Johnson C. Smith University honorees included:
Kristen Wright (mentor Dr. B.K. Chopra) for biology;
Sandra Lloyd and David Lang (mentor Dr. Joseph Fail) for natural sciences.

From Queens University honorees included:
Rebekah Howell (mentors Dr. Reed Perkins and Dr. Andy Tucker) for environmental science.

From UNC Charlotte honorees included:
Kelly Donahoe (mentor Dr. Stan Schneider) for biology;
Joshua Mull (mentor Dr. Craig Ogle) for chemistry;
Brian Zapata (mentor Dr. David Young) for civil engineering;
Nathaniel Sipe (mentor Dr. Walter Martin) for earth science;
Andrew Sumerel (mentor Dr. Michael Corwin) for physics;
Lyndsie Horn (mentor Dr. Jane Gaultney) for Psychology.

From Winthrop University honorees included:
Jennifer O'Neal (mentor Dr. Christian Grattan) and Jerry Dixon (mentor Dr. Cliff Calloway) for chemistry;
Sarah Yount (mentors Dr. James Johnston and Dr. Laura Glasscock) for biology.

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