2008 Assembly of Delegates:
Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency Representative to the Committee on Nominations

2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference

November 20-23, 2008
Marriott Renaissance Hotel
Washington, D.C.

Name: Michael P. Lizotte

Present Position: Director, Aquatic Research Laboratory
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Address: Department of Biology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Boulevard
Oshkosh, WI 54901 United States

Telephone: 920-424-0848
E-mail: lizotte@uwosh.edu

Chapter Affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I would be pleased to represent the Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency of Sigma Xi on the Committee on Nominations. Working at a comprehensive university since 1994, I have a strong understanding of the research opportunities and challenges that we face at our institutions, and will represent those interests in considering nominees for Sigma Xi national offices.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: I have been a member of Sigma Xi since 1982, when I was nominated as an undergraduate researcher. As a member of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chapter since 1994, I have served as President-Elect and President, and am currently serving a second term as President-Elect. My research expertise is in the role of algae in ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. I have developed an international reputation in the community of polar researchers, with field work on Antarctic lakes, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean.

Biographical Information: My research has been continuously funded by federal agencies since 1995; current grant funding includes equal amounts of funding for science and science education (collaborations with colleagues in the College of Education). I currently serve as the Director of the Aquatic Research Laboratory at UW Oshkosh, with teaching responsibilities in the Department of Biology and the Environmental Studies Program. Previous employment included Research Director at a non-profit research institute (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences) and as a consultant with BDM International detailed to NASA Headquarters. I have served on university search committees, department and college graduate program committees, and recently co-chaired the UW Oshkosh Campus Sustainability Plan Committee.

Name: Julio Francisco Turrens

Present Position: Associate Dean
Organization: College of Allied Health Professions, University of South Alabama

Address: College of Allied Health Professions
Dean's office, UCOM 1500
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688
United States

Telephone: 251-380-2785
E-mail: jturrens@usouthal.edu

Chapter Affiliation: University of South Alabama Chapter

Candidate's Statement: Sigma Xi is in my opinion the top interdisciplinary scientific society, promoting the exchange of ideas among its members from various fields. As a member of Sigma Xi I believe it is our duty to promote the society among our peers on campus and nationwide, to keep alive the desire of learning beyond our limited area of expertise. In addition to my activities within the local chapter of Sigma Xi, I believe that we need to contribute to the development of Sigma Xi at the National level. This is why I became a member of the Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency. I plan to further contribute in this endeavor as a member of the Committee on Nominations.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: President of the University of South Alabama chapter of Sigma Xi 1996-97. President of the University of South Alabama chapter of Sigma Xi in 2006-07. In 2007 Member of the Comprehensive Colleges & Universities Constituency Nominations Committee of Sigma Xi. In 2007 I received an Education grant from Sigma Xi to sponsor the Science Olympiad at our institution. In 2007 I was a co-PI for a regional Sigma Xi grant to sponsor activities between the Auburn University and our campus. I have also served as chapter president for Phi Kappa Phi.

Biographical Information: Dr. Julio F. Turrens received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His is currently professor of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama. His research has focused in two areas including free radical metabolism in mammalian cells, and intermediate metabolism of parasitic protozoa. His has identified several intracellular sources of ROS and developed methods to detect their formation. The second area of interest focuses on the intermediate metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi. In 1998 he designed a campus-wide program for undergraduate research which since then has received funding from NASA and the National Science Foundation. In addition to his interest in basic science, Dr. Turrens has developed undergraduate and graduate courses to train students in the areas of Bioethics and Responsible Conduct of Research. Dr. Turrens has published about 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters.