2000 Assembly of Delegates
Nominees for Research & Doctoral Universities Constituency Group Associate Directors OR Committee on Nominations

November 10-12, 2000, Albuquerque, New Mexico
In conjunction with the Sigma Xi Forum, November 9-10, 2000

Name: George Cain

Present Position: Professor of Cellular Biology
Organization: University of Georgia

Address: Department of Cellular Biology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
USA

Telephone: 706-542-5017
FAX: 706-542-1695
E-mail: gcain@cb.uga.edu

Chapter Affiliation: University of Georgia

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Sigma Xi; 1964-present; American Association for the Advancement of Science; 1963-present; American Society of Parasitologists 1962-present, Sec’y.-Treas 1996-present; American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; 1975-present; National Speleological Society; 1961-present.

Biographical Information: GEORGE CAIN. Current Pos: Dept Cell Biol, Univ Georgia. Educ: 1958-60, Univ of Miami; 1960-62, Sterling College; BS, Biol; 1962-64, Purdue Univ, MS, Biol; 1964-68 Purdue Univ, PhD, Biol. Prof Exp: Teach Asst, Purdue Univ, l962-64; Inst, Purdue Univ, l964-66; Asst Prof, Univ Iowa, l970-76; Assoc Prof, Univ Iowa, l976-83; Prof, Univ Iowa, 1983-2000; Visit Res Invest, Univ New Mex Sch Medicine, l979-80; Chair, Dept Zoology, Univ Iowa, l980-84; Act Assoc Dean, Coll Liberal Arts, Univ Iowa, 1984-85; Assoc Dean, Coll Liberal Arts, Univ Iowa, 1985-87; Chair, Dept Biol, Univ Iowa, 1991-92; Chair, Dept Biol Sciences (merged Depts of Biol & Bot), Univ Iowa, 1992-94 & 1999-2000. Res: Biochem organization and biogenesis of parasite membranes; lipid composition and metabolism in parasites; cytoskeletal proteins in parasitic flatworms. Hon: NSF Summer Fellowship (l965); NIH Predoctoral Fellowship (l966-68); NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (l968-70); NIH Fogarty International Fellowship (1979).

Additional Comments: My interest in pursuing the Nominations Committee position is a direct reflection of my view of the value of Sigma Xi to the scientific community and its potential value to the broader public. With increased visibility, Sigma Xi can be an even stronger force for expanding public awareness and understanding of science. To achieve this, the best candidates for office need to be chosen.

Recommended by: R&D Universities Constituency Group Nominating Committee

Name: W. R. (Bill) Klemm

Present Position: Professor of Neuroscience
Organization: Texas A&M University

Address: Dept. VAPH
Mail Stop 4458, TAMU
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4458
USA

Telephone: 979-845-4201
FAX: 979-847-8981
E-mail: wklemm@cvm.tamu.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Texas A&M University

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Sigma Xi: Regional Director, Southwest Region (1996-2000); Chairman/member, SW Regional Nominating Committee (1993-1995); Member, Sigma Xi Program Committee (1999-current); Texas A&M Chapter Executive Committee (1994-present); Texas A&M Chapter President (1990-91); Texas A&M Chapter Vice President (1989-1990); Texas A&M Chapter Treasurer (1985-1989); Texas A&M Chapter Undergraduate Research Taskforce Chairman (1999-2000); Texas A&M Chapter Creator, annual interdisciplinary workshop (1991-present); Texas A&M Chapter "Science Communicator Award" (1994).

Biographical Information: Dr. Klemm has been a scientist and university professor since 1963. He has conducted research at the University of Notre Dame, Iowa State University, and Texas A&M University, with special emphasis on brain research. He has published 6 books and close to 400 research papers. Funding sponsors of his research have included the U. S. Air Force, several of the National Institutes of Health and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. His recognition includes being selected for the Editorial Boards of six scientific journals and the Distinguished Achievement Award in Research at Texas A&M University. The research for which he is best known deals with brainstem mechanisms of immobility behavior, animal electroencephalography, and membrane mechanisms of action of alcohol. His current work is on brain mechanisms of cognitive binding (how the brain synthesizes diverse inputs). Dr. Klemm also has an interest in information technology and electronic distance education. He maintains a Web site of publications (www.cvm.tamu.edu/~vaph/klemm). He is co-developer of the computer-based collaborative learning software known as FORUM. He has also had experience in Research and Development Planning for the U.S. Air Force, serving in the rank of Colonel.

Additional Comments: I believe in chapter revitalization, which can be a special problem in research university chapters. Both at local and national levels, Sigma Xi needs special programs that appeal to members at R&D group chapters. When I was President of my local chapter, I put in place several initiatives that have helped us to revitalize and stay active and to develop a continuous stream of new leaders (last year, we were nationally recognized with a "Chapter of Excellence" award). At the national level, I was a pioneer in the reorganization initiative that led to the creation of the RU constituency group. As a member of the Board of Directors, I pushed for creation of this group because we have interests and needs that are different from the rest of the membership. I have a vested interest in helping the R&D group start off on the right foot. I choose not to run for re-election as Southwest Regional Director, because I believe that the Society needs a continuous stream of capable and dedicated new leaders. The SW Region now has a good leadership pool, and I want to see that develop in the R&D group.

Recommended by: R&D Universities Constituency Group Nominating Committee

Name: Linda Shannon La Grange

Present Position: Associate Dean of Graduate Students
Organization: New Mexico Highlands University

Address: PO Box 3355
New Mexico Highlands Univ.
Las Vegas, NM 87701
USA

Telephone: 505 454 3379
FAX: 505 454 3331
E-mail: lagrange@worldplaces.com

Chapter Affiliation: New Mexico Highlands University

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: AAUP -NM state treasurer 2000-2001; State Faculty Senate Organization 1997-2000; Neurochemistry Club International Symposia Organizer 2000-2001; International Science and Engineering Fair - 1991-current; Visiting Scientist Program 1990-1997. Member since 1994. Biological Markers of Alcohol Consumption – PI (NIH-NIAA R03 1991-1993); Antioxidants and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – PI (Indena della Beffa 1994-present); Bridges to the Baccalaureate PI (NIH 1999-2003); Fetoprotective Effects of Bioflavonoids – PI (NIH-NIAA R21 1999-2001); Research Mentor (NIH-Bridges 1995-present, total of 18 students); Research Mentor (WAESO 1996-present, total of 12 students); Research Mentor (NSF-AMP 1996-1999 total of 5 students).

Biographical Information: Education – BA (Elem Ed/Music – University of Alaska, 1972); MS (Psychology – New Mexico Highlands University, 1987); Ph.D. (Psychology – University of Alberta, 1989). Current Positions – Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, New Mexico Highlands University; Professor of Psychopharmacology, NMHU.

Additional Comments: As a faculty member at a minority institution I have had an opportunity to provide research mentorship to Hispanic and Native American undergraduate and graduate students. As the PI for the NIH-Bridges program, I have been actively recruiting Native American students from the Dine Community College. The research activity generated by the NMHU faculty far exceeds what is typical of a small (2,500 students) regional university. I think this demonstrates the clear possibility that quality research can be conducted at small institutions if the faculty are motivated and the administration is supportive. At the national level I would encourage a similar positive approach to research activities at the smaller universities.

Recommended by: R&D Universities Constituency Group Nominating Committee

Name: Mark R. Metzger

Present Position: Assistant Professor of Astronomy
Organization: California Institute of Technology

Address: M/C 105-24
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125
USA

Telephone: (626) 395-4726
FAX: (626) 568-9352
E-mail: mrm@grus.caltech.edu

Chapter Affiliation: California Institute of Technology

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: A member of Sigma xi since 1993, I am new to official active involvement in the organization

Biographical Information: A.B. Physics, 1988, Washington University; Ph.D. Physics, 1994, MIT. Research Fellow, University of Hawaii, 1994-1996; Asst. Prof, Caltech, 1996-present. Member of AAS, ASP. My areas of research include galactic structure; using gravitational lensing to help understand dark matter; the nature of gamma-ray bursts; and new instrumentation development. While I spend about two thirds of my time on research/wokring with graduate students and one third on classroom teaching, I also support undergraduate involvement in research via summer programs, as evaluator and mentor, in public presentation competitions, and directly in instrumentation development and resulting science.

Additional Comments: I believe that one of the difficulties of Sigma Xi at the local level has been a relatively low profile and difficulty in getting members involved. Innovative programs that have been pioneered by several local chapters (many recently recognized as Chapters of Excellence)can serve as good models for increasing activity and interest at the local level. For example, suhc programs include those associated with early education in science, involvement in research, and public seminars. I see the research university constituency at the national level having an active role in helping local chapters become more active and fostering an interchange of ideas and programs that have been successful elsewhere. Through such programs, initial success will attract more of the local members to become actively involved, and as such raise the profile of Sigma Xi both within the university and in the surrounding community.

Recommended by: Research & Doctoral Constituency Nominating Committee

Back to top | Copyright ©2013. All Rights Reserved.