2005 Assembly of Delegates:
Northeast Geographic Region Associate Director

November 2-5, 2006
Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan

Name: Kestas G. Bendinskas

Present Position: Assistant Professor
Organization: State University of New York at Oswego

Address: Chemistry
SUNY-Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
USA

Telephone: 315-312-2696
FAX: 315-312-5424
E-mail: bendinsk@oswego.edu

Chapter Affiliation: SUNY-Oswego

Candidate's Statement: Student research is the best way of learning, as it is active learning, so anything to do with this subject gets my attention. You might remember me because I fought at the meeting in Seattle, along with many NE delegates, for student fees to stay low. I brought two students to the national meeting last year, and then later organized, with J. Mandel, the NE undergraduate and graduate student Sigma Xi poster conference at Cornell University. As a member of a small NE chapter, I am sharply aware of the membership problems Sigma Xi faces, particularly at comprehensive colleges. At the same time, I am also very proud of the benefits that Sigma Xi delivers to students. I will work hard to encourage faculty and students to actively participate in Sigma Xi and will also work to make the NE regional conference a tradition.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: As our Chapter Secretary, I have had many responsibilities including participating in choosing awardees for Quest, SUNY Oswego's annual students talk and poster day; organizing the Science Today lecture series (twenty/ year); and organizing the annual new member initiation banquette and the honorary Sigma Xi lecture. I have been a member of Sigma Xi since 1992, the American Chemical Society since 1995, and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since 2002.

Biographical Information: Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia, Engineer of Chemical Technology, 1991; Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, Ph.D., 1996; Johns Hopkins University, Department of Biochemistry, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, Postdoctoral studies, 1997; University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Notre Dame, Indiana, Biochemistry Laboratory Coordinator, 2001; Department of Physical Sciences, Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Assistant Professor, 2003; Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, New York, Assistant Professor, present.

Name: Grant Allan Gardner

Present Position: Associate Dean of Science
Organization: Memorial University of Newfoundland

Address: Dean of Science Office
Memorial University
St. John's, NL A1B 3X7
Canada

Telephone: 709-737-8155
FAX: 709-737-3316
E-mail: ggardner@mun.ca

Chapter Affiliation: Avalon Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I am pleased to accept the nomination for the position of Associate Director of the Northeast Regional Assembly of Sigma Xi. I have been associated with this regional group for many years, on the nominating committee and as occasional minute keeper, and have been impressed with the commitment and interest shown by the members during the regional meetings. This group also has a strong international component that brings a wider range of experience to the table. If elected, I will work with the Director to further strengthen the region. Immediate goals would be an enhanced web presence and stronger and more frequent communication among members. In the longer term, I would like to work with colleagues in other Regional Assemblies, as well as the Constituency Groups, to renew interest in Sigma Xi and extend our reach to colleagues in other countries.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Sigma Xi: Avalon Chapter (1984), founding member of Chapter; Chapter delegate several years; Acting President 1998- present; Nominating Committee, Northeast Region, 1999-2002; Nominating Committee, Canadian and International Constituency Group, 2001-2005; Sigma Xi Fund of Canada, Member 2000-; Director 2001-; President 2005- present

Biographical Information: GRANT ALLAN GARDNER. Biological Oceanography, Biology. Current Pos: Assoc. Prof. Biology 1987-; Assoc. Dean (Administration and Undergraduate), Faculty of Science 1994-; Educ. U. of Guelph, B.Sc. (Marine Biology), 1970; U. of British Columbia, M.Sc. 1972, Ph.D. 1976 (Biological Oceanography). Prof. Exp. PDF, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 1976-78; Memorial Univ.: Deputy Head, Biology, 1988-1994; A/Head, 1991; Promotion and Tenure Cttee. 1989-90; Assoc. Dean of Sci. 1994-present; Acting Dean of Sci. May 1 - Aug. 31/99; Senate Undergraduate Studies Cttee. 1984-93 (Chair 87-93); Senate, elected member 1987-96; Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication, 1992-present (Chair 1998- present); Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences (Chair 1995-97; Treasurer 2001-present); Atlantic Co-operative Wildlife Ecology Research Network, Management Cttee., 1994-present; Fellow, Nortel Institute for Excellence in Education.; Coastal Zone Canada Association, Member of the Board, 2000-present; Vice-President (Communications) 2004-present; Chair, CZC04 organizing committee; Core Committee, Canada-Wide Science Fairs 1989, 2004.

Name: Pamela K. Kerrigan

Present Position: Associate Professor/Associate Chairperson
Organization: Manhattan College/College of Mount Saint Vincent

Address: 4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Joined Depts. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Riverdale, NY 10471
USA

Telephone: 718-862-7211
FAX: 718-862-7209
E-mail: pam.kerrigan@manhattan.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Manhattan College

Candidate's Statement: I have been a member of Sigma Xi for 11 years. Only recently have I begun to know what resources the society has to offer to its members. By attending the annual meetings the last several years I have been exposed to some of what the society offers its members. I feel we should be having people that work for the Society that will lead us in this new age of technology and should represent various areas of research. We need to get more involvement from the underrepresented members of our organization by nominating them to positions of leadership. Only then will we have more diversity in our leadership to better relate to the nation at large and give greater exposure to the Society. countries.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Attended 2004 meeting for first time, American Chemical Society (18 years), Secretary, NY section (1999-2003), Alternate Councilor, NY section, Task Force for Undergraduate Programs; National Science Teachers Association; Executive Immediate Past President - Gamma Sigma Epsilon, National Chemistry Honor Society; STANYS; Director of the Summer Advanced Placement Institute at Manhattan College.

Biographical Information: BA - Lakeland College (Chemistry/Biology) 1981; MS - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1986; Ph.D. - Arizona State University, 1993. Taught at University of Wis.-La Crosse, 1987-1989, Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA, 1993-1994. Current Position: Associate Professor (1994-present), College of Mount Saint Vincent/Manhattan College, Joined Depts. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Riverdale, NY 10471