2004 Assembly of Delegates:
Research & Doctoral Constituency Group Director

November 11-14, 2004
Le Centre Sheraton
Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Name: Anthony Michael Iacopino

Present Position: Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
Organization: Marquette University School of Dentistry

Address: 1801 West Wisconsin Avenue
Marquette Univ Sch of Dentistry
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Telephone: 414-288-6089
FAX: 414-288-3586
E-mail: Anthony.Iacopino@Marquette.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Marquette University

Candidate's Statement: My research/scholarly activities in biomedical sciences have emphasized faculty and student mentoring. Working with faculty and students at all levels (elementary/high school, college, medical/dental students, MS/PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists) has provided an appreciation of key issues in science education/training and what kinds of things must be done to promote science. I have participated in development of numerous educational/training programs for these constituencies promoting contributions to the field, service to the public, and recruitment of the scientists/faculty of tomorrow. The leadership I provided in these areas as an officer in my previous Sigma Xi Chapter was instrumental in national recognition as a "Chapter of Excellence". I am now completing one term as the Director of the Research and Doctoral Universities Constituency Group. I have also been serving on three committees (Awards, Resolutions, and Membership/Qualifications) as well as the Society Board of Directors. I have been exposed to the details of many current issues and challenges facing Sigma Xi in the various committee and Board meetings I have attended. In addition to learning many things about the Sigma Xi governance "system" and developing working relationships with other Board members and the Sigma Xi headquaters staff and administration, I have worked with the Assistant Director of the Research and Doctoral Universities Constituency Group to improve communications within our group and complete a defined agenda that would enhance the benefits of being an active member of this group. To that end, the following noteworthy items have been accomplished: 1) development of a mission statement specific to our group; 2) organization of group input to the Society strategic plan; 3) successful lobbying to formalize a Society individual award for accomplishment in diversity issues, availability of information/materials to group members in advance of the annual meeting, and inclusion of material related to field sciences/organismal biology at this Montreal meeting; and 4) implementation of a pilot program for funding group chapters that wish to work collaboratively to deliver programming tailored to the group mission. I would like to continue working for the benefit of the Research and Doctoral Universities Constituency Group and belive that my experience and knowlegde regarding the Sigma Xi "system" can be put to use in an even more productive second term. Thank you for your consideration.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Marquette University Sigma Xi Chapter 1999-Present; Vice President Marquette University Sigma Xi Chapter 1999-2000; President Marquette University Sigma Xi Chapter 2000-2001; Sigma Xi Baylor University Chapter 1991-1997; Secretary/Treasurer Sigma Xi Baylor College of Dentistry Chapter 1997-1999; Invited Reviewer, NIH-NIMH Internal Programs and NIH-NIDCR Ad Hoc Study Section 1995-Present; Oral Health Research Curriculum Award - PI (NIH-NIDCR R25 DE015282) 2003-Present; Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center - PI (NIH-HRSA D31 AH70009) 1999-Present; Dental Student Training Program - PI (NIH-NIDCR T35 DE07188) 01/99-10/99; Effects of Hemin-Modulated LPS on PMN Function - CoI (NIH-NIDCR R03 DE12035) 08/98-07/99; Mechanisms of Monocyte/Macrophage Response to Phenytoin - Mentor (NIH-NIDCR K08 000407) 09/97-08/02; Impaired Wound Signaling in Diabetic Periodontitis - PI (NIH-NIDCR R29 DE11553) 07/95-06/00; Calbindin-D28k and Neurofibrillary Tangle Formation - PI (NIH- NINDS P30 AG12300) 01/95 - 01/96; Calbindin-D28K: Role in Neurodegeneration - CoPI (NIH-NINDS RO1 NS30406) 07/93-06/96; MTS 858.30 Mechanical Testing Systems Shared Instrumentation Grant -CoI (NIH-NIDR 1S10 RR04216) 09/88-02/91; Geriatric Dentistry for the Alzheimer's Patient - PI (NIH-NIDCR K15 DE00207) 06/87-02/91

Biographical Information: Education - BA (Biological Sciences) Rutgers College 1982; DMD UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School (NJDS) 1986; PhD (Biochemistry/Molecular Biology) University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 1990. Current Positions - Marquette University School of Dentistry (Associate Dean for Research/Graduate Studies; Director, Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center; and Professor, Department of General Dental Sciences) Marquette University Archeological Center (Associate Director).

Name: W. R. (Bill) Klemm

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

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

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

Chapter Affiliation: Texas A&M University

Candidate's Statement: I am the original Associate Director for our Constituency. I want to help RDU chapters focus on shared interests and concerns. Chapter revitalization is a special problem in research university chapters. Sigma Xi needs special programs that appeal to members at RDU chapters. When I was President of my local chapter, I put in place several initiatives that helped us to revitalize and stay active and to develop a continuous stream of new leaders (we were nationally recognized with "Chapter of Excellence" awards). If elected to Director, I will be responsive to member needs and desires and intend to provide effective leadership to further the aims of Sigma Xi and its member chapters.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: National Sigma Xi: Associate Director, RDU Constituency (1999-2002; re-elected, 2003-2006); Member, RDU Constituency Nominating Committee (1999-2001); Member, Sigma Xi Committee on Meetings (2004); Member, Sigma Xi Program Committee (1999-2001); Regional Director, Southwest Region (1996-2000); Chairman, SW Regional Nominating Committee (1993-1995); Texas A&M Chapter of Sigma Xi: "Distinguished Service Award" (2001); Undergraduate Research Taskforce Chairman (1999-2000); "Science Communicator Award" (1994); Executive Committee (1994-present); President (1990-91); creator of the annual interdisciplinary workshop (1991-present); Vice President (1989-1990); Treasurer (1985-1989); "Distinguished Scientist Award" (1971).

At the national level, I was a Board member pioneer in the reorganization initiative that led to restructuring of the Board and to the creation of constituency groups. I chose not to run for re-election as Southwest Regional Director, because I believed that the Society needs a continuous stream of capable and dedicated new leaders. The SW Region now has a strong leadership pool, and I want to see that develop in the RDU group. My current efforts include involving Sigma Xi in leadership training for the next generation of university faculty who will be needed to create the reform and revitalization efforts in this era of major change in higher education.

Biographical Information: My research at the University of Notre Dame, Iowa State University and Texas A&M University has focussed on brain research. I have has published 8 books and over 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. Recognition includesserving on the Editorial Boards of six scientific journals, three educational technology journals, and a university press. I received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Research from Texas A&M University and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the A&M chapter of Sigma Xi. The research for which I am best known deals with brainstem mechanisms of immobility behavior, animal electroencephalography and membrane mechanisms of action of alcohol. I have also had experience in Research and Development Planning for the U.S. Air Force Reserves, serving in the rank of Colonel. My interest in educational technology and electronic distance education extends to being a member of a working group that is creating a Global University System. My Web site is at www.cvm.tamu.edu/wklemm. I am co-developer of the shared-document computer conferencing software known as Forum MATRIX and am president of the company (www.forminc.com). Currently, I am Co-PI in two federal grants (NIH, NSF) aimed at creating multi-media science curricula for middle schools.

Name: Ashok Mahendra Patel

Present Position: Consultant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Associate Professor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Organization: Mayo Foundation and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Address: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (E18)
200 First Street Southwest
Rochester, Minnesota 55905

Telephone: 507-284-2447
FAX: 507-266-4372
E-mail: patel.ashok@mayo.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Mayo Foundation

Candidate's Statement: I accepted the nomination to be the Director of the Research and Doctoral Universities Constituency Group for three specific reasons. First, active international and local partnerships among Sigma Xi constituency groups, scientists and educators are vital to the future of the Society. Second, multi-level interactions enriched by digital information systems offer promise to cost- effectively increase public awareness, cooperation, and understanding of the promises and pitfalls of solutions arising from R&D at Universities. This will enhance capacities to prevent or respond to global challenges including bioterrorism, global warming, and other environmental risk. Third, I look forward to working even more closely with members and mentors within my Chapter, those within our constituencies, and Sigma Xi leadership. We can enhance our core web-based infrastructure, content, and interactive toolset to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate lifelong learning strategies. I remain committed to building the capacity and enthusiasm of future investigators in the life sciences to actively contribute to emerging international opportunities in technology, science, educational services/systems, mathematics, and engineering. Increased interactions among delegates, students, and senior scientists at the new Research Triangle Park facility enhanced by an accessible, web-based repository of relevant contacts, activities, projects, and publications can sustain rapid advances of the Society into the future.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: At a local level, our Chapter's support of the high school math and science teachers with annual awards, SMEE grants-in-aid, and the annual regional science fair(s) has been favorably received. My current efforts include increasing awareness of Sigma Xi and its local activities, working to enhance our Chapter's website presence and usability, and recruiting more women, minorities, and younger researchers, and re-engaging senior mentors. I am excited by the opportunity to learn from as well as share our experiences with the University R and D group, leverage relevant educational offerings, and help overcome barriers to increasing the scientific literacy of the public.

Biographical Information: MD (with distinction)- University of Alberta, Canada (1986), FRCPC (1993), FCCP (1995), FACP (1998); Associate Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (2003); chair, e-Advisory network of ACCP (2003-present); web director for AII assembly of ATS (2004-present); panel member, US COPD coalition (2003); member, International Medical Sciences Academy (2004), chair, Minnesota Asthma Coalition (2003-present); and Teacher of the year Hall of Fame, Mayo Fellows' Association (1999). I have devoted my adult life to enhancing and promoting physician-patient partnerships in direct patient care, multi-professional and internet-based education, and chronic lung health outcomes research and policy development. My experiences range from that of a front-lines volunteer providing medical services to the industrial poor of Nairobi, Kenya to recruiting/advising members of the Minnesota Asthma Coalition, and leadership with the US COPD coalition, to training future physicians and allied health staff at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. My efforts have included advising/directing web and e-Health related networks for the American Thoracic Society's assembly of Allergy, Immunology, and Inflammation and the American College of Chest Physicians; to exploring uncharted frontiers with mentors/colleagues of the Plexus Institute and Sigma Xi International. These interactions with scientist-colleagues and consequent responsibilities have reinforced my commitment to open dialogue; critical, systems-based analysis and creative synthesis; interdisciplinary collaboration; and contextual design in addressing concerns related to workforce, technology, translational/outcomes research and scientific aspects of integrated health care, including multiplatform educational delivery.

Name: Douglas Duane Rhoads

Present Position: Associate Professor
Organization: University of Arkansas

Address: Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
601 Science Engineering
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Telephone: 479-575-3251
FAX: 479-575-4010
E-mail: drhoads@uark.edu

Chapter Affiliation: University of Arkansas

Candidate's Statement: Sigma Xi is at a crossroads. Declining membership requires critical evaluation of the role of and services delivered by, the Society. American Scientist constitutes a valued service to the membership at the national level. Active chapters provide avenues for interaction and mentoring. Sigma Xi is unique from other national science organizations in the breadth of disciplines married with "grassroots" level of activity. At the national level there are opportunities to assist local, regional, and national needs in research. In order to revitalize, we need to critically determine what new directives are needed and what needs to be abandoned. I am not certain of the need for separate meetings of regional groups or the separation between RDUs and the 4-year institutions. I believe that student recruitment is a number one priority that requires all the Universities and Colleges to work hand- in-hand, Sigma Xi can be a facilitator in this area. I believe the Society can not afford to continue "business-as-usual" if we are to survive and prosper.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Served three years as chapter president or president-elect. Attended 2 national Sigma Xi meetings. Constructed nationwide graduate student recruiting web-site. coPI NSF Minority Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Education Chair for Regional and Statewide Science Fairs, Arkansas Biotechnology Association.

Biographical Information: 1972-1981 BA, MS Wichita State University; 1981-1990 PhD, postdoctoral Kansas State Unversity; 1990-1996 Asst. Professor University of Arkansas; 1996-present Assc. Professor University of Arkansas; served 2 years as Vice Chair and 1 year as Interim Chair of Department; co-founder Cell and Molecular Biology inter-disciplinary graduate program.Refereed publications: 35, presentations at national meetings: 64. PI or coPI on grants funded from National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture NRICGP, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority and several different agriculture industries.