2005 Assembly of Delegates:
North Central Regional Associate Director

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

Name: Christian William Kreipke

Present Position: Research Associate
Organization: Wayne State University, School of Medicine

Address: Wayne State University
School of Medicine
Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology
540 E. Canfield, Rm 9312
Detroit MI, 48201
USA

Telephone: 313-577-0574
FAX: 313-577-3125
E-mail: ckreipke@med.wayne.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Wayne State University

Candidate's Statement: Since the beginning of my academic career I have focused on not only my own science, but on educating the public on science. Following the completion of my training in medical anthropology I initiated a program of anthropology instruction in local high schools. Then, while pursuing my degree in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences I helped develop a national program, Brain Awareness Week. Working with faculty from Michigan Universities, we reached over 30,000 grade and high school students and over 20,000 of the general public. If elected, I will carry this attitude and energy on to include further development of Sigma Xi programs aimed at awareness and enhancement of research careers.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: In 1998 I was given full membership in Sigma Xi. Along with developing education programs in both anthropology and neuroscience, I participated in local symposia organized by the Wayne State Chapter of Sigma Xi. Recently I was named to the Executive Board of this chapter and presented a lecture at Sigma Xi colloquium.

Biographical Information: I began my academic career in anthropology. Studying the cultural consequences of diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), I quickly grew to appreciate the balance between biology and culture. I then continued my education and received a Ph.D. from the Department of Psychiatry from Wayne State University, School of Medicine. After completing a degree in behavioral pharmacology, I have now focused on protein modifications within the hippocampus following traumatic brain injury. In keeping with my diverse educational background, in addition to my laboratory work, each year I participate in programs aimed at educating the public on a wide variety of topics in science, ranging from human evolution to neurodevelopment. In addition I mentor children in applying what they learn in science class to "real-world" applications of their knowledge. On a personal note, when I am not working on science I am a composer and conductor and have recently been named by the United States Senate as an "Artist Among Us".

Name: Ashok Mahendra Patel

Present Position: Consultant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine &
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
USA

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 Associate Director of the North Central Region 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. I have almost 10 years of experience within our Mayo Foundation Chapter of Sigma Xi, our expanding community and statewide partnerships in math, science and Internet technology, as well as exposure to international visiting clinicians and scientists for health and biomedical engineering. Second, improving regional level integration and coordination of educational and/or recruiting events by digital information systems promises should enhance our capacities to prevent or respond to challenges including bioterrorism, increase the public's awareness of health and environmental safety concerns, and provide an accessible forum for interchange between teachers, students, researchers, and advocacy groups. Third, I look forward to working even more closely, directly and virtually, with members and mentors within my Chapter, those within our region, and Sigma Xi leadership. We can further 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.

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 such as the public lecture series and Science Fairs, enhancing our Chapter's website presence and usability through updates on our new intranet site, 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 North Central region and beyond, 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); Teacher of the year Hall of Fame, Mayo Fellows' Association (1999); chair, e-Advisory network of American College of Chest Physicians (2003-present); web director for AII assembly of American Thoracic Society (2004-present); member, International Medical Sciences Academy (2004), chair, Minnesota Asthma Coalition (2003-2004); and new member, Rochester Rotary International (2005). 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 1) a front-lines volunteer providing medical services to the industrial poor of Nairobi, Kenya to 2) networking scientific experts, health educators, and policy-planners within our expanding Minnesota Asthma Coalition and International Lung health community, to 3) training future physicians and allied health staff at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. My clinical efforts have focused primarily on trying to understand, integrate and improve outcomes related to asthma care delivery, either directly or via our residents and staff-in-training. I have also been very active in learning about, coordinating, and advising e-Health related network development for the American Thoracic Society's assembly of Allergy, Immunology, and Inflammation and the American College of Chest Physicians. These interactions between students, peers, disciplines and virtual learning communities and consequent responsibilities have reinforced my commitment to open dialogue; critical, systems-based analysis and creative collaboration when addressing concerns related to workforce, technology, translational/outcomes research and scientific aspects of integrated health care and educational delivery.

Name: Harry J. Weiss

Present Position: Professor Emeritus (Engineering Mechanics & Mathematics)
Organization: Iowa State University

Address: Dept. of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics
1200 Howe Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2271
USA

Telephone: 515-232-2145
FAX: 515-294-3262
E-mail: hweiss@iastate.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Iowa State University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I view Sigma Xi as a society focused on promoting scientific careers, supporting scientists and scientific research and interfacing between the scientific community and the public at both the national and international levels. Of particular importance is the Society's role in reaching out to young, promising scientists by such programs as the Young Investigator Awards, the Grants-in-Aid of Research program and the Student Research Conferences. I hope to continue promoting the Society as the appropriate vehicle for recognizing research potential and accomplishments.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: First initiated into Sigma Xi in 1949 at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), ID # 490710142. Served as President, ISU Chapter 1966-67. Currently Secretary- Treasurer (1992 -), ISU Chapter. In addition, served as Acting President in this latter period when President Elect left the University before assuming office as President; will do so again in 2005-06 because of similar situation.

Biographical Information: D.Sc. (Applied Mathematics), 1951, Carnegie Institute of Technology (CIT). Teaching Assistant and Instructor, CIT, 1947-51. Assistant Professor, Graduate Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, June 1951-December 1953. Assistant Professor to Professor, Mathematics, Iowa State University (ISU), Jan. 1954-May 1964. Professor & Head, Engineering Science & Mechanics, ISU, June 1964-June 1986. Professor Emeritus, ISU, 1989-present. Visiting Professor of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Boston University Overseas Program (Germany), Aug. 1989-April 1990. Lecturer (Mathematics), University of Maryland Overseas Program (Germany & Italy), April 1990-Aug. 1991. Professional Societies & Honoraries/Other professional activities: American Society for Engineering Education (Life Member; Member, Executive Committee, Mechanics Division, 1981-84), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Life Member), Society of Engineering Science (Board of Directors, 1976-79; Vice President, 1978; Archivist, 1978-89; Student Chapters Coordinator, 1978-84;), Phi Kappa Phi (Life Member), Sigma Xi (Emeritus Member), Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honorary), Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) ad hoc evaluator for Engineering Mechanics and Engineering Science programs, 1982-89.