2005 Assembly of Delegates:
Area Groups, Industries, State & Federal Laboratories Representative to the Committee on Nominations

2005 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference
November 3-6, 2005
Westin Seattle Hotel
Seattle, Washington

Name: Gregory William Buck

Present Position: Assistant Professor of Biology & Biomedical Sciences
Organization: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC)

Address: 6300 Ocean Drive
Unit 5802
Dept. of Physical & Life Sciences
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5802
USA

Telephone: 361-825-3717
FAX: 361-825-3719
E-mail: Gregory.Buck@mail.tamucc.edu

Chapter Affiliation: South Texas

Candidate's Statement: As a nominee for this committee, I look to work cooperatively with the other members to choose the best person(s) for the positions of President and Treasurer. A goal of the next president should be to vigorously entice younger students at elementary and secondary levels to pursue scientific careers, and ensure the organization's viability. The next President should also ensure, along with the Treasurer, that the fiscal health of Sigma Xi remains strong, and that the organization remains visible among younger scientists. I hope the next candidate(s) will aim to maintain the "three Vs" (visibility, viability, vigor) of Sigma Xi.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Active member since 2002; Served as Secretary, President-elect, and currently President; Member, Faculty Senate, TAMU-CC. The South Texas Chapter co-sponsored activities (BrainsRule!) with local elementary students, undergraduate research symposia and speakers with different scientific groups, and by having the university Student Government Association recognize the students in Sigma Xi.

Biographical Information: B.S., Morehouse College; M.S., Ph.D., Georgia State University; Post-doc, Emory Univ. Med. School; TAMU-CC faculty since 2001; summer research sabbatical (2005) at Univ. of TX Medical Branch. Research areas focus on (1) DNA repair in enteric estuarine bacterial isolates, and how specific genes are coordinately regulated as part of networks, an on-going project involving 13 undergraduates since 2002; (2) collaborated with fellow faculty and four undergraduate researchers in a published paper that described the antibacterial components of extracts from herbal plants used in south Texas and northern Mexico; (3) how to incorporate aspects of bench research into high science labs through a pilot project in 2003 in which students did interdisciplinary environmental and molecular research. My interest stems from the fact that I taught high school for several years in various metropolitan Atlanta school systems before returning for a Ph.D. in microbial genetics.

Name: Cristina Clara Paul

Present Position: Manager, Citrus Quarantine Facility; DC Chapter President
Organization: USDA-ARS-BA-PSI-FL

Address: Bldg 010A Rm. 236
USDA-ARS-BA-PSI-FL
Beltsville MD 20705
USA

Telephone: 301-504-7657
FAX: 301-504-5651
E-mail: paulc@ba.ars.usda.gov

Chapter Affiliation: DC Chapter

Candidate's Statement: The leader of Sigma Xi needs to be a mirror image of our members. Assisting in the job of choosing our next President would be a great honor. Over the years I have been involved with many committees, boards of directors, as well as teams. This has honed my skills of observation, knowledge of personality traits, and ability to judge people on their own merits and faults. I believe I would make an excellent addition to this committee.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: President Sigma Xi DC 2002-present; Vice President Sigma Xi DC 2000-2002; Collateral duty safety officer- Fruit Lab 2002-present; Emergency Occupant Coordinator bldg 011 2002-present; Plant science institute safety chair 2004; Graphic designer Fruit lab; Website creator - Fruit Lab; Large format Printer manager; Maryland Greenhouse Growers Association- board member; Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association- guest board member; Scapes Alive!- Horticultural consultant and Plant nutrient manager - Owner and president; Greenstreet Growers Inc. - IPM consultant; Carouselworks Stained glass - Owner - Designer; Ms Annapolis Lightweight natural bodybuilding 2nd place 1998.

Biographical Information: I obtained my BS from UMD in horticultural research. I was then fortunate enough to participate in an EPCOT Center internship at The Land pavilion. For the past 13 years I have managed the Citrus Quarantine Facility at USDA-ARS. I obtained my MS from UMD, researching the topic "In planta maintenance of Citrus Tristeza Virus using tissue culture techniques. I have grown up in the research field, aiding my father, Dr. Frank Gouin (Sigma Xi UMD). My position as manager of the citrus greenhouse involves all aspects of plant care, maintenance of several world-wide germplasm collections, as well as coordinating, monitoring, and contributing to the efforts of over a dozen scientists from all over the USA and world. My lab work includes extractions of plant pathogens, DNA, RNA and viruses. I am highly motivated, organized, and determined to give 150% to every project I take on. I currently live in Deale, Maryland with my husband Pat and our dogs Abigail, Elenore, Rosie and Rufus, plus other scaly and feathery critters.

Name: Kelly Olsen Sullivan

Present Position: Director, University Partnerships
Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Address: PO Box 999/MS K9-45
Richland, WA 99352
USA

Telephone: 509-375-2923
FAX: 509-375-2631
E-mail: kelly.sullivan@pnl.gov

Chapter Affiliation: Tri-Cities, Washington

Candidate's Statement: As those of you who have worked with me know, I am a big fan of Sigma Xi and the companionship I find in this multidisciplinary society. I believe in the mission of the Society, and I give of my time freely to support its efforts. I have served as a chapter officer and as a member of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership. I have enjoyed serving as a judge for the student poster session and as a general resource for Sigma Xi staff whenever they think I can be of service. I am a regular attendee at the annual meeting, and have been an active and vocal member of both my region and my constituency group, and now I would welcome the opportunity to serve my constituency group as a member of the Committee on Nominations. This is a vital role because this Committee is charged with ensuring excellent choices for our leadership. I would appreciate your support.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Kelly has been a member of Sigma Xi since 1996. She served as the Omaha Chapter's Secretary/Treasurer, then Vice-President, and briefly as President before moving to the Tri-Cities. She is a member of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership, and a ready resource whenever Sigma Xi staff call upon her.

Biographical Information: Dr. Kelly Sullivan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in August of 2001, and is currently the Director of University Partnerships, a resource used throughout the Laboratory. She is responsible for developing and maintaining collaborations and partnerships with colleges and universities both regionally and nationally. Prior to coming to PNNL, Dr. Sullivan was a chemistry professor at Mankato State University in Minnesota and at Creighton University in Nebraska. She taught physical and general chemistry, and also directed the Creighton Chemistry Players, a team of faculty and students who brought the excitement of chemistry to children and adults through theatre and music. Her research interests focus on the electronic structure of small molecules and ions. She serves as an advisor to various education-related initiatives and is a speaker on career development for women scientists. Dr. Sullivan received a B.S. in Chemistry from Christian Brothers College and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Texas Tech University. She is a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the American Chemical Society, and the American Geophysical Union, among other professional societies.