2007 Assembly of Delegates:
Nominees for President

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

Howard Ceri
Professor and Chairman, Biofilm Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Co-founder Innovotech Inc.

Dr. Ceri received his B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Manitoba in 1969 and assumed a technical position in the University prior to applying to graduate school in 1971. He did a M.Sc. on the assembly of E. coli ribosomes (1973 under P.Y. Maeba) and a Ph.D. in somatic cell genetics studying the mechanisms of resistance of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells to the lectin ConA (1978 under J.A. Wright) both in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. He went on to study the role of lectins in specific cell-cell associations in embryonic development under Dr. S.H. Barondes at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Ceri returned to Canada in 1981 to take up an Assistant Professorship at the University of Calgary having won a National Research Council of Canada University Research Fellow career development award and an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research establishment grant. Dr. Ceri has remained in Calgary and risen through the ranks to Professor and Chair of the Biofilm Research Group in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Dr. Ceri currently serves Sigma Xi as secretary of the University of Calgary Chapter (1998-present) and also serves on the Publications Committee for American Scientist (2005-present). Dr. Ceri served 2 terms as the NW Regional Director, and 1 as NW Regional Associate Director. He also served 2 terms as Chair of the Committee of Regions and 4 terms on the Membership Committee. His current service commitments outside of Sigma Xi includes serving as Chairman of the Biofilm Research Group (since 1995), serving on the Life and Environmental Sciences Animal Care Committee (since 1997 last 4 years as Chair of Committee), and as a member of the Health and Safety and Intellectual Property Advisory Committees at the University of Calgary. He also serves the Canadian Society of Microbiology as liaison to the University of Calgary and as co-chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2008 Annual Meeting to be held in Calgary. Dr. Ceri's past experience includes 2 terms as Chairman of the Division of Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology (approximately 15 faculty, 150 majors, 40 graduate students) and serving on many Department, Faculty and University committees. Dr. Ceri also co-founded MBEC Biofilms Technologies Inc., a spin-off company of the University of Calgary, and served on the Board of Directors through the takeover by Innovotech Inc. and the move from a private to a public company on the Toronto Venture Exchange.

Dr. Ceri, while contributing to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, has primarily taught Virology and Immunology to third and fourth year students in Biological Sciences. His teaching contributions were recognized with the Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006. Dr. Ceri has developed web based teaching for his courses that includes a flash based animation series of the life cycle of viruses, which is available on his website and used worldwide for the teaching of virology. His research has focused on mucosal integrity and its role in inflammation and infection at mucosal surfaces. He pioneered the study of the role of lectins at mucosal surfaces and his contributions to biofilm microbiology include the development of the Calgary Biofilm Device, which is currently the standard for biofilm susceptibility studies. Recent studies have focused on the mechanisms of biofilm resistance to antimicrobials and specifically to the interaction of biofilms with metals, both in natural environments and as possible treatment candidates. Dr. Ceri has been very active in moving science from the lab and into the market place. He co-developed vaccines, currently on the market, to protect companion animals from Giardiasis (Beaver Fever), a zoonotic disease that can spread to man from his pets. He was co-founder of MBEC Biofilms Technologies Ltd, which became MBEC BioProducts Inc. and is now a public company on the TSX venture exchange as Innovotech Inc. The company, whose core technology was the Calgary Biofilm Device, develops new diagnostics and treatments for biofilms and provides consulting and research services for companies dealing with biofilm issues.

Candidate's Statement - Howard Ceri

My interest in Sigma Xi was fostered by my Ph.D. supervisor, Dr. J.A. Wright. Jim was a very serious scientist who had no room for things he did not consider important to his scientific interests; he was an active member of Sigma Xi. This to me, an impressionable graduate student, meant that Sigma Xi must play an important role in science. When I arrived in Calgary in 1981, I attended several of the talks given in the Sigma Xi seminar series and was honoured with membership in 1982. Several years later, as President of the University of Calgary Chapter, I attended my first National meeting in North Carolina. Until that meeting, Sigma Xi had been only a local entity to me and I had no knowledge of or experience with the executive arm of the Society. That meeting, an extremely raucous and passionate affair, was an experience that forced me to reconsider what Sigma Xi meant to me and the role of the Society in the scientific endeavor. My emerging beliefs can be defined as Chapter-centric, in that I believe the strength of Sigma Xi lies in its strong chapters that are the foundation for the Society as a whole. This seemed the vision of the founders and the reason for the success of the Society. My time in Sigma Xi has been devoted to these goals. I was fortunate to have been part of the executive that reestablished the values of the chapters and elected representatives in changing the governance of the society to one more democratic, where only elected members had a vote on Society issues. I was also fortunate to have been part of the changes endorsed by the Committee on Membership for the management of the Society through the introduction of better computer assisted tracking and communication with members who were inducted but lost during their maturation period prior to becoming Faculty themselves. I was also there when the same Committee established protocols to recognize and help Chapters that were facing problems in sustaining themselves. I therefore have grown to see the positive interactions between the Chapters and the Society's management structure that can continue and grow the legacy of Sigma Xi's place in the scientific endeavor.

I am very optimistic about the future of Sigma Xi. The core beliefs of the Society are more relevant and mainstream to the research endeavor than ever before in our history. Sigma Xi's advocacy for the scientific method and for science literacy must remain a key focus for the Society. We must continue to hold the values of science against an agenda that would close the minds of the next generation to an open thought process. The value of science and the support of science and scientists is a message that Sigma Xi can deliver as few others.

Sigma Xi has been and must continue to be an advocate for ethics in the scientific endeavor. Our commitment to scientific excellence and ethical behavior in science is a needed role for Sigma Xi to fill and again one that is of increasing value to society. The balance of advocacy for science and at the same time demanding the ethical practice of the discipline may be seen as a conflict of interest to some, but is truly a logical progression of a society interested in the support of a strong and ethical scientific endeavor.

A founding principal of Sigma Xi has been its support of a multidisciplinary science. Ahead of its time, this is a message that now resonates in the mainstream of scientific discourse as it becomes absolutely apparent to all sectors of the scientific endeavor that the big picture questions will only be amenable to interdisciplinary teams of collaborators whose individual inputs will be recognized and rewarded. Sigma Xi provides not only the message but the mechanism through its fostering of a community of multidisciplinary scientists, where the medium is truly the message.

The final topics I want to address are my beliefs about the core values of Sigma Xi and the strength, dynamism and growth of our Chapters, the foundation of our Society. As discussed above, I believe the message of Sigma Xi has never been so relevant and therefore the value that can be ascribed for having a Chapter of Sigma Xi at a University has never been greater. Building a linkage between the activities of the Chapter and the values they bring to the University can be fundamental aspect for the success of a Chapter. Commitment of each Chapter to its individual set of programs based on the core values of Sigma Xi is the first step to Chapter vitality. The many program options provide each Chapter with the ability to define its own identity based on the interests of its membership allowing for individual expression of interests and goals. Making these programs relevant to and seen as beneficial to the University administration provides a mechanism for support and recognition of Sigma Xi by the University. Whether we talk about honouring undergraduate students with membership to Sigma Xi or awards of excellence given to high school students in an outreach program, or the delivering of an ethics program to new graduate students, all represent opportunities whereby the Chapter activity can be seen of value to all by all. Working with the executive to strengthen our Society through ensuring the strength of our Chapters would be the hallmark of my time as president if elected to office.

Richard L. Meyer
Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville

Richard L. Meyer is a professor emeritus from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. His area of specialization covered multiple facets of understanding the life-history, morphology and cytology of certain algal taxa, population dynamic of algal populations in reservoirs with associate chemical, physical and biological parameters, as well as the mathematical modeling of these interactions, and the chrysophyceae, xanthophyceae and phyrrophyceae of bog and fens. During his 30 years at the university he held administrative positions as director of Research and Sponsored Programs, associate director of the Arkansas Water Resources Research Center, supervisor of the Water Quality Analytical Laboratory, and director of the interdisciplinary Environmental Science Program (Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture, Chemical and Civil Engineering, and School of Architecture). His other academic positions included Adjunct Professor of Agronomy at the University of Arkansas and Professor in the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Meyer was active in the teaching and research programs and supervision of graduate students at the University of Minnesota Itasca Forestry and Biological Station. His research on a wide spectrum of Phycological topics has produced eight doctoral students and twenty masters level students.

Associated activities include serving as chairman of the board for the Central Emergency Medical Services of Washington County, AR and as its chief executive officer. He was responsible for overseeing the operating budget, reserve funds, long-range fiscal planning and initiation of external audit. Other activities include deputy fire chief of the Goshen Fire Department and member of the board with responsibility for development and construction. He served as the Phycological Society of America's Endowment Fund Manager for ten years, as a member of the board and as it President.

His oceanographic experiences include scientist and chief scientist on several of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutions research vessels. He was chief scientist of the National Science Foundation sponsored R/V Anton Bruun as part of the International Indian Ocean Expedition. In addition, he has experience as the director of the Eagle Lake Biological Station of California State University-Chico.

During his career Dr. Meyer has served as an expert witness or consultant to federal, state and municipal agencies as well as to small and large companies. Certain of his findings were cited as authoritative by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Dr. Meyer was initiated as a full member by the University of Minnesota chapter (1965). He as served on the board, as program director, secretary, vice-president, president of the University of Arkansas chapter. He was selected as a mentor to the board and long-term delegate. After retiring he moved to Portland, OR where he became a board member of the Columbia-Willamette Chapter.

His activities with Sigma Xi at the local, regional and nation level includes service on multiple committees; membership, regions, awards, audit, finance, strategic planning and others. Offices held include Southeast Region associate director and director, members of the Board of Directors, member of the Executive Committee, Treasurer, Acting Executive Director, Acting Publisher of American Scientist and Deputy Executive Director. He was responsible for the 1989 forum "Science as a Way of Knowing". Dr. Meyer has represented the society on numerous occasions, including the installation of chapters and the initiation of new members and the promotion of associate members.

Candidate's Statement - Richard L. Meyer

Opportunities
Sigma Xi has as well proven vision of its role in becoming the global honor society for science and engineering. We carry forward this vision by enhancing the health of the research enterprise; promote the public understanding of science for the benefit of all and fostering integrity in our disciplines. We have in place the mechanisms to express this mission. We have in place a diverse chapter-based organization which conducts an expansive variety of activities and programs to support the Society and to impact the human society in order to improve its condition. We have a proud history of accomplishment.

Our commitment is expressed through a variety of activities. Our support of grants-in-aid of research to undergraduate and graduate students, the Science Café, chapter based brown bag lunches, distinguished lecture series, outstanding local and regional speakers, student research symposia, science fairs at all levels, and a wide variety of other programs. One of the outstanding features of all of these programs and activities is that they reflect a key characteristic of Sigma Xi members. Our members are interesting, eclectic, multidisciplinary, multiparameter thinkers that put these characteristics into action. For example; our focus at the International Science and Engineering Fair is to select the most outstanding team research project which integrates a multidisciplinary approached to address a problem. Another example; is the breadth and depth of articles, book reviews and special features our world class magazine, American Scientist; along with our outreach tool American Scientist Online plus various special e-features.

From time-to-time societies have opportunities, by design or by circumstance, to revisit its culture, vision and mission. At this time we have an opportunity to address our future while standing on the firm foundation of our history. This past spring a distinguished committee reworked, revised and enhanced our strategic plan for the future. This bold plan was unanimously adopted by the Board. During my brief tenure as Acting Executive Director I brought the staff together to imprint their experiences, ideas and insights for implementing their roles in the plan. This was an exhilarating experience. They quickly grasp the interactive nature of their daily activities and could envision their future roles in supporting the society. They titled their inputs as the "food web" model. This model is congruent with way in which Sigma Xi functions and is represented by its members, delegates, regions and constituencies. We now have the high calling to implement this strategic plan. We need leadership which can appreciate the tactical mechanism to accomplish this commission.

With breadth and depth of service to Sigma Xi, with additional hands-on experience as Treasurer, member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee as well as member of the Committee on Strategic Planning, I have an appreciation for the tactical mechanism needed to carryout the plan. Certain new approaches allow us to develop greater visibility that will have a significant impact on education and the public understanding of science. In the past we have only emphasized the selection of members after they have accomplished a record of achievement. With our affiliate membership we will be able to influence the environment in which achievement is developed. We will engage teachers and other supporters of the scientific endeavor as they encourage, mentor and direct our future scientist and engineers. It is this new cadre which will assist us in carrying forth our missions. By the inclusion of these colleagues we will lay the foundation for a sustainable membership. These interactions will allow us to increase our influence on and association with individuals and organizations who influence the scientific enterprise on the local, regional, national and global level.

Out of this vision and understanding of where Sigma Xi is positioned today by we can grow into the future by pursuing these opportunities:

• Implementing outreach strategies for reinvigorating lapsed members while maintaining the vigor of the chapter and it active membership. Support for and the inclusion of members-at-large is a component of this initiative.
• Increase the inclusion a major portion of the scientific community which supports our culture, vision and mission that are eligible for affiliate status.
• Strengthening support of chapter and members through enhanced resources that reduce management effort.
• Expanding our partnerships with scientists and engineers to develop the global presence of Sigma. Xi.
• Now is the time to develop plans for the forthcoming seminal events that highlight the accomplishments of the Society; the 100th anniversary of our journal, the 125th year of our founding. These celebrations, at the Sigma Xi Center, will acknowledge our past, celebrate our present and look forward to our future.
• Interacting with individuals, corporations and foundations who share our vision to assist us in supporting and expanding the health of the research enterprise and improving the human condition.

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