Newsletter, Winter : 1997
Editor: Harjit S. Ahluwalia
| In Memoriam |
| Our past President (1992), Professor Joseph W. Mather died at 5:45 p.m., at his home in Los Lunas, NM, on November 5, 1996. He was the Group Leader (1966-1975) of the Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL); a device he discovered while using a modified coaxial plasma gun which is now named after him. He was the first to use the deuterium-tritium mixture in the DPF accelerator (1964) and showed that the observed production of 14 MeV neutrons was in good agreeme nt with that expected from a thermal plasma. After retiring from LANL, he and his wife, Evelyn, settled down in Los Lunas. A first rate scientist, Professor Mather was very highly respected in the Plasma Physics community for his outstanding contributions . All of us shall miss his sage counsel. |
| Sigma Xi Public Talks |
| We continue to hold our 5:00 p.m., ever-popular, monthly, Public Talks on Science and Society themes at the UNM Conference Center, 1634 University Blvd. NE. Ample, free, parking is available in the paved lot which is also well lit. To encourage pre-talk interactions among the participants, we continue to serve refreshments at 4:30 p.m. For the 1997 Spring Semester, we have another delightful menu of Lectures for your pleasure. Professor Harjit S. Ahluwalia is in charge of this program. We thank our members for their continuing support. The details for the talks are provided below. |
The 5th Science Fair Lecture, Friday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. in Room B100,
Johnson Gymnasium, main UNM Campus.
Professor Barbara L. Dutrow, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA,
Thursday, April 10.
Professor Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Georgia State University, GA, Monday, May 19.
Professor Savage-Rumbaugh's Banquet Talk on Monday, May 19, is at 8:00 p.m. in Room C, Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NE.
| The Science & Society Series of Public Talks is co-sponsored by the Sigma Xi Headquarters, the Office of the Associate Provost for Research, the Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs, the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy, an d Education, the School of Engineering, New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI), the Institute of Radioactive Waste Management, the General Honors Program, the Division of Continuing Education, as well as the Albuquerque Section of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers and UNM Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Also, your local dues are earmarked for the support of this program. The cost for the speakers includes: honoraria, airfare, advertising in the LOBO, postal costs for mailing flye rs to the members, and local hospitality (such as expenses for lodgings, meals, local travel, etc). |
| All our speakers are professionals of stature, experience, and considerable wisdom. Many of them are members of the National Academy of Sciences and some are Nobel Laureates. Three of our past invited speakers (Ayala, Gell-Mann, and Molina) were appointed to the President's Council of Advisors on Science & Technology. Furthermore, Professor Molina was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. We encourage our members to attend these talks along with their families, when possible. You are invited to s uggest names of speakers, keeping in mind the high standard and suitability of the topic for the Public Talks. |
| Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research Awards |
| Under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi administers income from the Benjamin Apthorp Gould Fund, for a total of 800 to 1000 grants each year. UNM students (undergrads and grads) continue to win these awards, which now range from $300 to $1000. They may be used to purchase supplies, equipment, and/or travel and living expenses necessary to collect data or conduct research at another location or field site. Upcoming grant deadlines are February 1, and May 1, 1997. An applicat ion form may be obtained from the Sigma Xi Web site at http://www.sigmaxi.org. |
| UNM Sigma Xi Endowment Fund |
| For the last ten years, the fund has been growing steadily. Now it stands at $21K. We achieved this status largely by tithing ourselves and the donations made by our members. Every year, the Executive Committee authorizes the Treasurer to transfer whateve r savings we are able to make in our yearly budget to the Endowment Fund. Please note that the copies of the Centennial commemorative volume, "From Sun Dagger to Space Exploration," are still available. This handsome 434 page soft cover book is sti ll attractively priced at $9.95. Postage and handling charges are included in the price. You may want to present it as a gift to your friends and loved ones for any occasion. Money raised from the sale of this book is credited directly to the Endowment ac count. Instructions for ordering this book are provided at the end of this Newsletter. Order one today! |
| UNM Sigma Xi Prize |
| Even though our endowment fund has reached the milestone figure of $20 K, it will be allowed to grow further still. However, the Executive Committee has decided to use a portion of the annual income to establish a new award, to be called the UNM Sigma Xi Prize, which will be presented to an active Sigma Xi member associated with UNM who has made outstanding research contributions and has been exemplary in advancing the goals of Sigma Xi locally. The details of the prize are being work ed out by the Executive Committee and input from members is sought by them! It is expected that the prize will be awarded in May of each year at the Awards Banquet, beginning with the year 1998. The recipient will be requested to deliver a Sigma Xi Lecture. |
| Young Investigator Award |
| The National Sigma Xi Board of Directors has approved a new award to recognize researchers in early stages of their careers (less than 10 years after Ph.D.) whose outstanding contributions best exemplify the ideals of Sigma Xi. The award wil l recognize the contributions in physical sciences (including engineering and mathematics) and life sciences (including social sciences) in alternating years. The first award will be made in 1998 in physical sciences and in other even years and in life sc iences in odd numbered years. The nominees must be active (dues paid) member of Sigma Xi and they must be able to communicate the significance of their achievements to the general public. The awardee will receive a Certificate of Recognition and $5 ,000 to be presented during an appropriate ceremony at Sigma Xi's Annual Meeting, with travel expenses borne by the Sigma Xi Headquarters. There are no prescribed forms to be filled in. However, a copy of the description of procedures to be followed in making the nominations may be requested from the Chapter President, Professor Timothy Ross. Please note that this is a national award and therefore carries considerable prestige! Finalis ts at the regional level will each receive a Certificate of Recognition and mention of their selection will be published in American Scientist, an award winning magazine published by Sigma Xi Headquarters. |
| A Home Page For Our Chapter |
| A very imperfect home page (containing general info only) has been set up by Professor Harjit S. Ahluwalia, for the purpose of communicating with our membership. It can be accessed using, http://astro.phys.unm.edu/sigmaxi. As time goes on, it would be updated and improved. In the meantime, please feel free to send President Ross your comments and suggestions as to what information you would like to see posted on the home page and how it can be made more user friendly. |
| 1996 Awards Banquet |
| The winners of this year's Excellence Awards will be honored at the Spring Banquet on Monday, May 19, 1997. The banquet will be held at the Division of Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. The site offers plenty of free parking-space. The catered dinner will cost $15 per person, if payment is made in advance to the Chapter Secretary ($20 each, if you make reservations but prefer to pay at the door.) The cost for students will be subsidized by the Chapter so that they pay only $8 each. Deta ils about the menu will be supplied later. Mark your calendar for an interesting evening! |
| Annual Membership Drive Is On! |
| As of last month, we have 459 active members. About 490 of our members continue to be classified as inactive because they did not send in their 1996 dues. The dues are $(45+2) p.a. Full-time degree seeking students continue to pay $(20+2) p.a. The dues in clude $2 local fee which is used for part support of the Public Talks program. New members pay an additional $22.50 initiation fee (for student members only $7.50). New initiates are invited to attend the banquet free of charge. However, the y have to pay for the guests accompanying them. |
| Every graduate student in sciences, math, or engineering who has shown a marked aptitude for research, and an undergraduate student with a GPA>3.2 (in the Senior year), qualifies for an Associate Membership and should be nominated by his/her adv isor. Each of us needs to contribute the small amount of time required to recognize deserving colleagues through the honor of election to the membership in Sigma Xi. You may also wish to persuade a known non-active colleague to rejoin, by sending i n the dues for 1997; back dues are not collected! A nomination form is attached to the Newsletter for your convenience. The completed forms, with a check for the appropriate amount ($29.50 for students and $69.50 for others) should be mailed to the Chapter Secretary, Professor David Dunlap, before the deadline of March 22, 1996. Please pay your dues for 1997 early so that you don't miss out on the Public Talk flyers in the fall (whe n we order the mailing labels); as well as the issues of the American Scientist each issue of which features illustrated research review articles on a variety of topics written by scientists and engineers. |
| Membership Input Is Sought |
| The Executive Committee requests your help and opinion on the following matters. |
| You may nominate candidates for the Excellent Ph.D. Dissertation and Superior Undergraduate Student awards. Also, we need nominations for the Outstanding Science & Math High School Teachers as well as for a Noteworthy Technical Support P erson whose contributions have made a significant difference in supporting the research of an individual or a group in any area of science. In the past, we have honored librarians, workshop personnel, computer technicians, media technology support person, the Director of New Mexico Science & Engineering Fair, specialized research instrument operators, etc. Nominations should be sent to the Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Jacqueline H. Ericksen, P.O. Box 666, Placitas, NM 87043. |
| Every year, the officers at the Sigma Xi Headquarters request grass-roots response on an issue of critical importance for the well-being of science. This helps them formulate the Society's position on the highlighted issue. For example, last year o ur assistance was requested in formulating the Society's position on Science, Technology, and Global Society. In 1995, the future of the research universities in the prevailing climate of tight money was the issue. In 1994, the concern related to the K-12 science education. In 1993, we were requested to suggest the direction and creative methods of funding for the scientific research. In 1992, we were asked to consider the issue of ethical conduct as it relates to the membership in Sigma Xi. In 199 1, the topic was animal rights and the use of animals in research. |
| We try to ascertain the views of the membership by surveying a cross-section of members who attend the Public Talks. Clearly, this is a very small sample of response. Please send in your general comments and suggestions on how we can make your membership in the Chapter more rewarding. |
Secretary
Treasurer
Nominations / NL / Talks
Programs Advisor
Membership
Awards Coordinator
To order:
From Sun Dagger to Space Exploration (Published jointly by NM Sigma Xi Chapters and NM Academy of Sciences), please make your check payable to : UNM Sigma Xi Chapter and mail it to the treasurer: Professor Sally E. Ruybal, College of Nursing, Pharmacy/Nursing Building, Health Sciences Center, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
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