2005 Assembly of Delegates:
Southeast Regional Associate Director

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

Name: Parimal Chowdhury

Present Position: Professor
Organization: University of Arkansas for Medical Science

Address: Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Slot #505
4301 W Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
USA

Telephone: 501-686-5443
FAX: 501-686-8167
E-mail: PChowdhury@uams.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Central Arkansas Chapter

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Member since 1982; President, local chapter,1991-1992; Chairman, Sigma Xi Admissions & Nominating Comm local chapter 1993--; National Delegate (permanant) since 1990--; Speaker at the Annual Banquet local chapter, Sigma Xi Judge at the Regional and State Science Fairs, Judge, Annual High School Debate Competitions in Sigma Xi Forum

Biographical Information: Am Men & Women in Science, 1982--; Who is Who in Frontiers of Science & Technology 1984,'85,'87; Who is Who in US 1986; Who is Who in World 1985; Leading Scientists of the World, 2005; Professional Soc memberships to APS, APA, AGA, SEBM, PTID society (an International scociety for the prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases), AR Acad Sci, SOT, ASIOA, Arkansas Cancer research Center, Arkansas Center for Neuroscience; Porter Development Committee, Am Physiological Society, 1/99-12/01, Published 89 full length manuscripts and 203 abstracts; Recipient of NIH and other grants

Additional Comments: Elected to Committee of Nominations on Regions 7/00-6/03; Nominee for Regional Directorship, 1994; FASEB MARC Visiting Scientist 1987,'89; Elected Director of the American Division of PTID Society, 2004--, Nominee, Animal Care & use Committee, American Physiological Society, 2001; Director, Graduate Program of Physiology & Biophysics, UAMS, 1992-2001, Invited presentations to many International meetings, Over a dozen referred journal reviewer, Ad-hoc grant reviewer for VA Merit, USARMDC, TRDRP and Mannitoba Health Council, ASTA and UAMS Medical Endowment Fund, recipient of Red Sash Award, College of Med, UAMS; Visiting Scientist to NASA Centers

Name: John A. Knesel

Present Position: Associate Professor of Biology
Organization: University of Louisiana - Monroe

Address: Dept. Biology
Univ. Louisiana - Monroe
700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209-0520
USA

Telephone: 318-342-1804
FAX: 318-342-3312
E-mail: knesel@ulm.edu

Chapter Affiliation: University of Louisiana at Monroe

Candidate's Statement: I was elected to Associate and then Full Member status in Sigma Xi in 1983 by the Purdue University Chapter. Since that time Sigma Xi has provided an opportunity to share work with others from literally all over the world, to grow and learn about the promotion of science and being "zealous companions in research", to serve in many capacities in a very large organization while also working effectively at the local level, and to form friendships of inestimable value. Most importantly, however, was that first and singular moment when my role as a scientist was affirmed by those who nominated me for membership, as well as the growing realization that I had indeed joined the "Honor Society of Scientists and Engineers." It is my hope and primary goal that we can instill in each new member that feeling of honor and significance that Sigma Xi provided to me, and to reaffirm that feeling in those of us who have been members for many years. The opportunity to work with Ann Williams and others at Headquarters in moving our Club to a Chapter at ULM as well as time spent designing programs, re-vitalizing membership, and building our Chapter continues to add value to my experience with Sigma Xi. In addition to my primary goal as stated above, I would also like to encourage increased communication among Chapters and members of the Southeast Region, increased recognition of Sigma Xi by university and industry leaders, and a systematic increase in membership at the Chapter level.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Sigma Xi, University of Louisiana at Monroe Chapter. As President, led efforts to obtain Chapter status for Northeast Louisiana University Club. Served one more term as President as well as member of nominating and steering committees. Also served 8 times as Delegate to Annual Meeting; Chair of Resolutions Committee; Member of Nominating Committees for Comprehensive College and Southeast Region groups. Other, President of Louisiana Academy of Sciences 1999-2001; member Chamber of Commerce Leadership Ouachita Executive Council; member ULM President's Faculty Advisory Committee.

Biographical Information: John Arthur Knesel. Reproductive Physiology. Current Pos: asst prof 85-90, Associate Professor Biology 90 - University of Louisiana at Monroe (formerly Northeast Louisiana University). Personal Data: b Ferriday, La, Jan 20 49; m 2004 Jennifer Jackson Savage; c Martha K. Educ: Northeast Louisiana University, BS, 71, MS, 74; Purdue Univ, PhD (Animal Sciences, Reproductive Physiology) 83. Prof Exp: Grad Instr, Purdue 75-78, David Ross Fellow 78-81; visiting lecture/asst prof Purdue-Calumet 81-85. Mem: Sigma Xi, La Acad Sci, Human Anatomy/Physiology Soc, Soc Anim Sci, Soc Study Reprod. Res: Reproductive Physiology. Mailing add: Dept. Biology, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209. Email: knesel@ulm.edu.

Name: Thomas D. Mathews

Present Position: Retired
Organization: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (primary) and Southern Wesleyan University (secondary)

Address: 850 Fred Street
Charleston, SC 29412-5043
USA

Telephone: 843-795-5260
E-mail: mathtom1@bellsouth.net

Chapter Affiliation: Charleston

Candidate's Statement: I am seeking this position out of my regard for Sigma Xi and to address the dwindling numbers of students entering science and the loss of Sigma Xi members. The regions are critical to fulfilling the goals and functions of Sigma Xi. As the Associate Southeast Director, my focus would be on the concerns and ideas of the region, on improving communication within the region, on actions necessary to reach solutions to problems, and on plans to achieve goals of both Sigma Xi as a whole and the Southeast Region specifically.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: I serve as board member and Councilor of the Charleston Chapter, which entails my attending the annual Sigma Xi conference and such duties as the chapter assigns me. I am also on the board of the Southeastern Laboratory Society of which I am a charter member. In non-technical capacities, I serve on several church and community-outreach committees.

Biographical Information: Adjunct Professor - Physical Science Instructor for Southern Wesleyan University. 1999-2003. Taught classes in Columbia, SC, and Charleston. Associate Marine Scientist/Division Safety Officer - Marine Resources Research Institute of the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). 1972-1999. Served as chief chemist and safety coordinator. Research Assistant - Texas A&M University. 1970-1972. Taught senior and graduate chemical oceanography courses, while completing the requirements for the Ph.D. in Oceanography. Chemistry Instructor - U.S. Naval Academy. 1965-1968. Taught freshman chemistry, navigation, and naval operations. Graduate Assistant - Georgia Institute of Technology. 1964-1965. Taught chemistry lab courses, while pursuing graduate studies in inorganic chemistry. Adjunct Faculty, Graduate Program in Marine Biology, College of Charleston. 1974-1999. Additional - Member of Sigma Xi for over twenty years. Served as president and VP, in the Charleston Chapter. Education - B.S. in Chemistry (1964), College of Charleston. Ph.D. in Oceanography (1972), Texas A & M University.

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
USA

Telephone: 479-575-3251
FAX: 479-575-4010
E-mail: drhoads@uark.edu
Web: http://biology.uark.edu/drhoads

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 but this is a chapter/grass-roots organization. Active chapters provide avenues for interaction and mentoring. Sigma Xi is unique from other national science organizations in the breadth of disciplines for interaction and exchange. 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't afford to continue "business-as-usual" if we are to survive and prosper.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Served five years as chapter president or president-elect. Attended 3 national Sigma Xi meetings. Constructed nationwide graduate student recruiting web-site. coPI NSF Minority Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Active in regional Science and Engineering Fairs.

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: 37, presentations at national meetings: 74. 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.