2007 Assembly of Delegates:
Mid-Atlantic Geographic Region Director

2007 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference

November 1-4, 2007
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Golf Club
Orlando, Florida

Name: Cristina Gouin-Paul

Present Position: Horticulturist
Organization: USDA-ARS

Address: 670 Swan Drive
Deale, MD 20751
United States

Telephone: 240-447-8049
E-mail: paulc@ars.usda.gov

Chapter Affiliation: District of Columbia Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I have been very involved in the Sigma Xi society since the day I was nominated. As my grandmother is fond of saying "grass doesn't grow beneath her feet." As DC Chapter president I have interacted with many of the mid-Atlantic chapter members and as meeting delegate I have also developed good friendships and contacts that will allow me to be the voice of the group. If chosen as MA Director I believe I can bring my experiences from being both VP and multi term President of the DC Chapter, organizational and people skills, as well as energy and fresh ideas to the position.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities:

• VP DC Chapter Sigma Xi 1999-2001
• President DC Chapter Sigma Xi 2001-present
• Committee on Nominations 2005-07 (MI and MA)
• Committee on Qualifications and Membership 2006-present
• Student Poster Judge SX National meetings 2004-present
• Maryland Greenhouse Growers board of directors and web master
• Lothian Ruritan member and web master
• South county concert association web master
• USDA pesticide recertification committee
• USDA greenhouse committee
• USDA greenhouse design committee
• Safety officer Fruit Lab
• EPA pesticide applicators core exam committee

Biographical Information: Cristina obtained both her BS and MS in Horticultural research from the University of Maryland. She has worked in horticultural laboratories since 1983 and in her current position as Citrus Quarantine manager since 1991. Her research has centered on pathogens of citrus, strawberries and grape. The lab centers on cooperative research involving state, federal and foreign laboratories.

Name: Andrew J. Velkey, II

Present Position: Associate Professor of Psychology
Organization: Christopher Newport University

Address: Christopher Newport University
1 University Place
New Port News, VA 23606
United States

Telephone: 757-594-7927
E-mail: avelkey@cnu.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Tidewater Virginia Chapter

Candidate's Statement: The future success of Sigma Xi depends on the organization's ability to remain relevant in today's rapidly changing context. I believe that Sigma Xi is most relevant when members work through chapters and the larger organization to benefit the greater good. Sigma Xi should build upon its rich tradition of honor and integrity in science and engineering by focusing upon the practice of what Neal Lane calls Civic Science. According to Lane, a Civic Scientist is, one who uses his or her special scientific knowledge and skills to influence policy and inform the public (2003, p. 41). I believe Sigma Xi is the ideal mechanism through which scientists and engineers can contribute to the local, regional, national, and global welfare of all. Sigma Xi can be the conduit through which our members serve the public that has invested so much in our education, training, research, and infrastructure. Over the past 8 years, I have served my local chapters in various officer positions and contributed to the national organization in a number of ways. I am now prepared and ready to lead our constituency towards becoming a regional model for civic science. If elected to the office of Director for the MA constituency group, I will encourage dialogue and foster connections and collaborations between various chapters in our region in order to increase the impact and vitality of the chapters.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Sigma Xi: Tidewater Ch. Secretary, 2001-2003, 2007-present; Tidewater Ch. Membership Chair, 2006-2007; Facilitator, Tidewater Area Cafe Scientifique, 2005-present; Tidewater Ch. Past-President, 2005-2006; Tidewater Ch. President, 2004-2005; Tidewater Ch. President-Elect, 2003-2004;; University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Ch. President, 2000-2001; UMMC Ch. President-Elect, 1999-2000; Delegate every year from 1999 through 2007; Associate Director of Mid-Atlantic Region, 2007- present, National Nominating Committee, 2006-present; National Committee on Qualifications & Membership, 2006-present; Area Groups/Industries/State and Federal Laboratories Constituency Group Nominating Committee, 2001-2004; National Committee on Minutes, 2001-2004; Teller, 2002 Annual Meeting; Sigma Xi National Travel Grant for PKAL summer institute workshop on "Developing Courses that Link to Themes and Goals in Project 2061 (AAAS)", 2000; Sigma Xi Science Education Development Grant for the development of a new science course at Millsaps College, 2001; Supervised seven undergraduate research projects funded in part by local grants awarded by the UMMC Chapter, 1998-2001. Also an active participant in Project Kaleidoscope, including selection as a member of the ôPKAL Faculty for the 21st Centuryö (F21, class of 2006).

Biographical Information: Education: Ph.D.-Experimental Psychology, The Univ. of Montana, 1997; M.A.-Experimental Psychology, The Univ. of Montana, 1995; B.S.-Psychology, Millsaps College, 1991. Employment: Assoc. Prof. of Psychology, Christopher Newport University, 2005-present; Asst. Prof. of Psychology, CNU, 2001-2005; Asst. Professor of Psychology, Mississippi College, 1997-2001; Asst. Program Evaluator, Department of Community and Government Studies, The Univ. of Montana, 1995-1997. Publications: American Journal of Primatology, Journal of General Psychology Behavioural Processes, Cognitive Technology, Creighton Law Review, Perceptual & Motor Skills, and Psychopharmacology. Currently researching territoriality and aggression in Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), the reinforcing properties of the aggressive encounters between resident and invading male fish, and the effects of xenoestrogens at sub-toxic levels on reproductively-relevant behavior in B. splendens.