2007 Assembly of Delegates:
Northeast 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: Marjy N. Ehmer

Present Position: Private practce
Organization: Self-employed

Address: 497 Dogwood Road
Orange, CT 06477-2665
United States

Telephone: 203-795-6471
E-mail: marjy.ehmerphd@worldnet.att.net

Chapter Affiliation: Yale University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I have always considered Sigma Xi to be a special organization which provides its members with the opportunity to interact with and learn from scientists of other, and very often, quite different persuasions. Instead of the one-track focus of one's own discipline, it is possible to learn about different phenomena --from the physical, social, or health sciences -- and about other aspects of our world, about other worlds, and other ways of dealing with data,etc. The opportuniy to interact with so many scientists from so many different areas is not only unusual but exciting and very worthwhile. It not only permits the exploration of new areas, but allows for the teaching of new students, and for finding other ways for man to live his life in his world, and in the universe. I'd like to help Sigma Xi to continue be a viable and healthy organization.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities:In the many years I have belonged to Sigma Xi(first as an Associate then as a Full Member)I have attended a number of wonderful local meetings, gone to two annual meetings as a delegate, and read many enlightening and wonderful articles in the American Scientist. My local chapter (Yale) seems to becoming out of hibernation and becoming more active. However, most of my professional activity is with the CT, Eastern, New England (Past President) & American Psychological Associations; APS, CNS and a Regional Mental Health Board.

Biographical Information: I was born in New York City (Manhattan!), graduated with a BA cum laude from Brooklyn College, attended NYU Graduate School and eventually received a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. Research, the birth of a son, and moves from the Boston area to Rhode Island and then several years later to Connecticut (U.B., West Haven VA, then SCSU) where I retired in 1985 as Professor Emeritus from Southern. My part-time private practice, plus some research and writing, and various activities at Southern Connecticut (where my husband, Jess Dow, who died in 2003, had been Director of Athletics) plus skiing, trips abroad, and a second home in New Hampshire also keep me pretty busy year round.

Name: J. Zachary Jacobson

Present Position: Senior Mathematician
Organization: Health Canada

Address: 352 Mountbatten Avenue
Ottawa ON K1H 5W3
Canada

Telephone: 613-946-9056
E-mail: zack@sigmaxi.net

Chapter Affiliation: Ottawa Chapter

Candidate's Statement: Sigma Xi now faces serious challenges, at least one of which is an existential threat. Both our membership and the value of our endowment are falling Both of these tumbles must be reversed. Not coincidentally with the above problems, I feel we need to study our societal governance. The troubles facing us are not in dispute but the measures to take about them will be the subject of hot debate. Our saving strength will be our Chapters. I feel that we must foster them above all else. Our situation requires leadership, tact and perseverance. I ask you to elect the candidate who looks to you to be the best suited to deal with it.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities:
Local:

• Founding member, Ottawa Chapter
• Officer in the Ottawa Chapter at various positions including Secretary and Chapter President.
• Currently on the Chapter's Executive Committee.

• Regional Director 1995-2001 and 2005-08.
• Active in creating current Board structure [Regions and Constituency]
• Committee on Regions Chair, 2000-01.
• President's panel on IT

Biographical Information: Born 1943, Halifax, N.S. B.Sc., Dalhousie, 1964, Math & Physics. M.A., University of Waterloo, 1967. Colour vision Ph. D. Univ Waterloo, 1972, Cognition & memory. Lifetime research: visual perception, cognition, colour vision, mathematical psychology, temporal physics, epidemiology, social network analysis. Currently: Senior Mathematician, Health Canada. Responsibilities include topics in epidemiology, social networks. I have various sports and hobbies but mainly I enjoy science more and more as time goes on.

Name: Peter D.L. Roper

Present Position: Assistant Professor
Organization: McGill University

Address: 1329 Redpath Crescent
Montreal PQ H3G 1A1
Canada

Telephone: 514-845-3809
E-mail: peter.roper@mcgill.ca

Chapter Affiliation: McGill-Montreal Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I have always thought that Sigma Xi is a wonderful organisation. Better than AAAS as, being Chapter based, we can really be "companions." Companions in Zealous Research means a lot to all of us I hope. It certainly does to me. Our founders at Cornell surely had the concept of companionship strongly in mind and we must not let them down. Our chapters are where the companionship amongst members has to flourish across all disciplinary boundaries and where the strength of our Society lies and this has to be nurtured by the Director of the Region. This would be my priority.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Member of Sigma Xi since 1960, President of McGill Chapter 1966 and still on executive committee. Chair ad hoc committee on Retention of Membership 1966 and Chair of the Committee on International Membership 1974-75. Member of Long Range Planning Committee 1970-1978,International Committee 1976-1985 and 1993-1998. Member, Committee on Qualifications and Membership 1995-98.

Biographical Information: Born in London England.Wartime fighter pilot in the R.A.F. Gradusted in medicine in 1951. Specialist in Aviation Medicine and Neuropsychiatry. Teaching and research 1959 to present McGill University. Past President McGill Faculty Club and John Howard Society. Played Rugby for school and rowed for University. Gold medal winner, World Medical Games for squash and rowing and still plays competitive squash. Became a Canadian citizen in 1959. Married, has 6 children and 12 grandchildren.

Name: Charles Walcott

Present Position: Professor, Dean of University Faculty
Organization: Cornell University

Address: W255 Seeley G. Mudd Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853-2702
United States

Telephone: 607-254-4382
E-mail: cw38@cornell.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Cornell University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: Sigma XI has an important role to play in advocating for the strengthening of the scientific enterprise. The society should work towards adequate funding for research, appropriate support for science education at all levels and increasing the public understanding of science. Unless our country does more in these areas, it raises questions about our future prosperity. If elected, I will do what I can to support such efforts. I have been a member of Sigma XI since graduate school although I have never participated in its governance. As a biologist I have divided my time between efforts to increase the public understanding of science and a standard academic career. I have been involved in public television (Discovery, Exploring Nature, Nova, 3 2 1 Contact) in elementary school science (The Elementary Science Study) and in involving birders in ornithology (Director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology).

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Charles Walcott is Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University. Dr. Walcott received his AB from Harvard and his PhD from Cornell. He served on the faculties of Harvard, Tufts and The State University of New York at Stony Brook before coming to Cornell as Director of the Laboratory of Ornithology in 1981. He retired as the Louis Aggasiz Fuertes Director in June of 1995 to return to teaching and research. He taught the Introductory Biology Course for majors for four years and is now serving as Dean of the University Faculty.

Biographical Information: In addition to research on the hearing of spiders, the navigational ability of homing pigeons, and vocal communication in Loons, Dr. Walcott has taught undergraduate courses in animal behavior, human physiology and evolution. He has also participated in projects designed to interest the public in science.