His research studies at the National Cancer Institute centered on changes in oxygen utilization and cellular metabolism associated with cancer progression. Specific research interest was focused on the cytochrome oxidase enzyme complex which had first attracted his attention during graduate studies. After returning to Loma Linda University as a faculty member, his research interests have broadened to include blood coagulation in addition to metabolism and cellular oxygen utilization.
Currently, Paul Herrmann directs the Loma Linda University Medical Center Clinical Laboratory and serves as Associate Professor within the departments of Pathology and Human Anatomy and Clinical Laboratory Science at Loma Linda University. His favorite activities include teaching biochemistry and clinical chemistry in addition to research.
Paul C. Herrmann and E. Clifford Herrmann. “Oxygen Metabolism and a Potential Role for Cytochrome c Oxidase in the Warburg Effect.” Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes, 39 (2007) 247-250.
Rene C. Krieg, Ruth Knuechel, Elliott Schiffmann, Lance A. Liotta, Emanuel F. Petricoin III, and Paul C. Herrmann. “Mitochondrial Proteome: Cancer Altered Metabolism Associated with Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit Level Variation.” Proteomics, 4 (2004) 2789-2795.
James P. Collman, Lei Fu, Paul C. Herrmann, Zhong Wang, Miroslav Rapta, Martin Bröring, Reinhold Schwenninger, and Bernard Boitrel. "A Functional Model of Cytochrome c Oxidase: Thermodynamic Implications." Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 37 (1998) 3397-3400.
James P. Collman, Lei Fu, Paul C. Herrmann, and Xumu Zhang. "A Functional Model Related to Cytochrome c Oxidase and Its Electrocatalytic Four-Electron Reduction of O2." Science, 275 (1997) 949-951.
Name: Semant Jain
Present Position: Principal Engineer
Organization: Goodman Manufacturing
Chapter Affiliation: Rice University-Texas Medical Center
Candidate's Statement: Semant is very excited about the SW Regional Director position at Sigma Xi and given his extensive experience in research, industry, and connections to managing directors of hedge funds would be honored to further the mission of Sigma Xi through this role. He is passionate about research towards a sustainable growth solving significant national security and commercial problems through practical economical solutions. Thus, the US Army and NY State have provided $5 MM and $ 9 MM for such research initiatives. NY Governor David Paterson, US Senator Hilary Clinton, and US Senator Charles Schumer have written recommendation letters supporting the $250 MM proposal based on his research to the Dept. of Energy. His involvement in non-profits such as Toastmasters International have resulted in his club going from a defunct bankrupt status to transforming —in one academic year—the first collegiate club in US to attain Toastmaster's highest distinction: President's Distinguished Club. He would like to bring such dedication and depth to sustaining, revitalizing, and enhancing the membership profile of Sigma Xi chapters. As a consultant who assists CEOs make strategic enhancements, he understands the vital importance of a strategic plan for the society and intends to be passionately involved in such a collaborative decision making process. As President of the Movers and Shakers of Houston, his group's membership includes managing directors of hedge funds, C-suite executives of banks, and attorneys in the financial sector. This group would be critical in his efforts to conduct fundraising activities for Sigma Xi. He seeks your vote to be given an opportunity to serve as SW Regional Director in Sigma Xi: a society of which he's an ardent member and seeks to make a significant impact.
Biographical Information: Semant Jain is Principal Engineer at Goodman Manufacturing and a strategic improvement consultant. He was recently nominated as an internationally recognized Outstanding Researcher serving national security needs through his expertise in clean energy generation, energy efficiency improvements, and sustainable growth. In 2011, he was interviewed as the Subject Matter Expert on the Business Skills Radio Show by the Expert Knowledge Network. Currently, he is serving as a voting member on the Performance Simulation Data committee of ASHARE setting national standards and international guidelines.
Semant graduated with his bachelor's and master's from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (acceptance rate of 1%) wherein his two research papers presented a novel approach to simulate flow through porous media and a model for design of membranes for reverse osmosis. These papers have been used for understanding leak mechanism of underground CO2 sequestration—a $ 1 billion project sponsored by the American Water Works Association—and for reducing component size in ships by the US Navy.
During his PhD at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering (ranked 5th internationally), he conducted techno-economic evaluation of fuel cells as replacement of engine idling on M1A1 tanks and long haul trucks. This research resulted in a $5 million grant by the US Army which was instrumental in establishing the Energy Institute in Ann Arbor, MI.
After graduation, Semant was the lead process researcher at Praxair designing air separation plants to enable coal combustion for power generation but without CO2 emissions. This research was awarded a $9 million grant by State of New York and, eventually, the $250 million proposal to Dept. of Energy was supported by recommendations from NY Governor David Paterson, US Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer.
Currently, at Goodman, Semant has conducted experimental and computational research in heat transfer, refrigerant flow, and air distribution to design the next generation energy efficient air conditioners, established a computational platform for product performance prediction (winning approval from Dept. of Energy in 8 weeks vs. ~8 months for competitors), and is currently conceiving and designing a simulation tool for optimization of product design to improve engineering efficiency 5x.
Semant has authored seven research papers, a patent application, and four conference presentations which have been cited over sixty times by researchers in two dozen countries. He has also completed CFA-1 and Certificate in Quantitative Finance.
Name: Bert Little
Present Position: Chief Research Officer, Chief Research Compliance Officer and Financial Conflict of Interest Officer, Office of Research
Organization:
Texas A&M University System
Chapter Affiliation: Tarleton State University
Candidate's Statement:
Dr. Little has worked on the issue of declining Sigma Xi membership for more than a decade. Data mining analysis of Sigma Xi membership surveys and market segmentation analysis for the purpose of curtailing membership attrition for two surveys (n > 5,000 responses).
Findings: Research Intensive Universities vs. Comprehensive Colleges vs. Government Laboratories membership “needs” differ across customer segments, but they have some things in common (Table 1 in CV). Research Intensive Universities assign high value to honor of membership, more so than Comprehensive and Government market segments. Across all segments the membership is aging with the average age 58+ years old. This highlights the need to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers. Research Intensive Universities do not assign high value to guest speakers but Comprehensive and Government segments do attribute great value to distinguished speakers (Table 2 in CV). The consistent finding across all market segments in 2003: American Scientist is the highest value received from Sigma Xi membership (Tables 1, 2, and 3 in CV).
The mission of the SW Director is to implement these action steps which are designed to reinvigorate member interest in Sigma Xi and attract new members by providing additional “value add” for members. The actions must be initiated and promoted through planned and deliberate investment of time and money. The first initiatives that Dr. Little plans to launch are: Mentorship of young scientists and engineers by established scientists and engineers, Ethics in research and Regional research conferences.
The SW Regional Director, SW Associate Director, and Vice Provost for Faculty Development at UT-Dallas are working together to take three of the Strategic Plan Targets and do a pilot implementation in the SW Region. The Action Steps to pilot implementation will consist of: Hold a SW Region Research Conference in 2012 and Plenary and Distinguished Speakers will conduct lectures on Mentorship of young investigators Ethics in Research, Ethics in Research and Research Compliance.
Plans for these activities are in currently being implemented. Goals for the 2012 Pilot include connecting several dozen young investigators with senior scientific investigators as mentors. Nationally recognized leaders in their fields will conduct Ethics in Research and Research Compliance symposia.
Dr. Little has secured a $15,000 budget from Sigma Xi and a cash match from local chapters to launch these initiatives, for a total of $30,000. A possibility to be explored with the SW membership is to kick-off these two initiatives during a SW Region research conference.
Sigma Xi and Other Activities:
Charter Member, Tarleton State University Sigma Xi Chapter, 2000-present
Member, Strategic Planning Committee, 2001-2007
Member, Nominations Committee, 2006-2007
Chair, Nominations Committee, 2007-2009
Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, 2009-2013
Member, Board of Directors, Sigma Xi, 2010-2013
Associate Director, Southwest Region, 2010-2011 (elected)
Director, Southwest Region, 2011-2013 (not-elected; assumed position after Director resigned)
Member, Committee on Diversity, 2011-present
President and Founding Member, Sigma Xi Chapter (Tarleton State University), 2012-2013
Candidate's CV
Name: Jonathan Maul
Present Position: Assistant Professor
Organization: Texas Tech University
Chapter Affiliation: Texas Tech University
Candidate's Statement: I am pleased to be a candidate for the Southwest Regional Associate Director position of Sigma Xi. I was inducted into Sigma Xi in 1997 as a graduate student at the University of Mississippi. About three years ago my role in Sigma Xi changed from being a participating chapter member to being tasked as part of a team to revitalize the Sigma Xi chapter at Texas Tech University. During this period and continuing this academic year I have served as the chapter's treasurer. Having an active Sigma Xi chapter is important to our institution and serving the National Society on the Board of Directors representing the Southwest Region will contribute toward this goal. Furthermore, this position provides an excellent opportunity to improve the network and communication of Sigma Xi chapters within the Southwest Region. The southwest is facing some very pressing climatic and environmental issues that can be addressed by cross-disciplinary teams of scientists and one of Sigma Xi's basic functions is to bring together scientists from different disciplines. One of my goals as Southwest Regional Associate Director will be to develop a unified voice for the southwest region and work toward promoting a platform in which cross-disciplinary collaborations can be fostered to address regional scientific issues and National Society goals.
Biographical Information: Jonathan is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University. He was inducted into Sigma Xi as an Associate Member in the University of Mississippi Sigma Xi Chapter in 1997. Jonathan completed his B.S. in Biology at Stony Brook University and received graduate degrees from The University of Mississippi (M.S., Biological Sciences) and Arkansas State University (Ph.D., Environmental Science). Prior to his appointment at Texas Tech University he was a Post-doctoral Fellow at Southern Illinois University. Jonathan currently serves as the Treasurer of the Texas Tech University Sigma Xi Chapter and has been active in the chapter revitalization efforts over the last two years. He maintains an active research program in the area of aquatic ecotoxicology.
Name: Pratheesh Sathyan
Present Position: Post Doctural Student
Organization:
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Chapter Affiliation: Texas A & M University
Candidate's Statement: I am currently working as Post Doc at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston. During my PhD I worked with neural stem cells and explored the role of microRNAs in fetal cortical development at Texas A&M Health Science Center. After PhD, I joined the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. I am interested in understanding the role Glioblastoma stem cells and their role in recurrence and resistance of the disease. I strongly believe that addition early stage scientists to the ranks of Sigma Xi will help incorporate fresh energy to the organization.
Name: Paul Stein
Present Position: Director of Research
Organization: Onciomed, Inc.
Chapter Affiliation: University of California-Irvine
Candidate's Statement: I am a Life Member of Sigma Xi, and am proud to list it at the top of the professional organizations section of my curriculum vitae. The organization does so many things right, and everyone knows of them. Still, there are some issues that are not being addressed well enough and are so close to my heart, that I feel that my running for the Southwest Region Director position is a necessity.
1. Improving Career Development.
Back in May, David Pittman wrote a news article in BioTechniques, an online publication, titled, "Ph. D. Students Losing Interest". It described some interesting research by Sauermann and Roach (Sauermann, H., and M. Roach. 2012. Science Ph.D. career preferences: Levels, changes, and advisor encouragement. PLoS ONE 7(5):e36307+) how students once in their programs for the most part stop pursuing academic positions as a career. In response, I wrote, "Academic advisors ONLY know how to train their students one way: the way that got them their own jobs. They are averse to training or potentially training students in "alternatives" because THEY DON'T KNOW HOW. Why expect anything else? Also, they need warm bodies to maintain their careers, so why rock the boat. So, of course students "lose interest in faculty positions". Numbers don't lie, and they do know the numbers...too late. Unfortunately, then, the vast majority of Ph. D.'s are, therefore, totally on their own to scrape out some sort of career for themselves post-degree. Regarding "better education" of careers pre-graduate school, there is almost NONE of that available in undergraduate school, again, due to who is unable to tell that story, professors who only know how they got their jobs. There is truly NONE in high school. That then completes the line of this sad story of wasted time and lives due to complete and utter ignorance. Sadly, Sauermann is pushing for more research to examine what is going on. Come on, there is more than enough data already...the students are saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
My commentary received quite a few "Likes", so I know I am on to something significant. We all know that careers in science, mathematics, and engineering are interesting, satisfying, and rewarding. We also know that scientists, mathematicians, and engineers are born, they are not made. Unfortunately, because of poor to no guidance, that spark-to-achieve what is in one's bones can always be beaten out of anyone. It must be recognized that there is a major career mentoring issue going on at every step in the students' introduction of and preparation for those careers. It is a serious injustice to those who will be following us, and it needs to be addressed by a premier organization. There is an information gap that needs to be closed and as a Director, I will work to mitigate the waste of time and the angst of struggle by helping to develop realistic resources for all educators at every level.
2. Increasing Membership in Sigma Xi.
Maintaining membership roles in Sigma Xi is always an ongoing issue. I understand that with membership comes income, the lifeblood of any organization. There is still so much potential that the organization possesses to maintain interest in Sigma Xi as a Society that it currently doesn't utilize, it is no wonder that membership is dwindling. Currently, I believe that there is too much effort with the central structure and not enough at the chapter level. That is where the strength of the organization really lies. As a Director, I will work to revamp the chapter system, with meetings, science conferences, dinners, and membership drives. I will strive to find those enthusiastic local leaders who will work to make Sigma Xi once again the premier society to join and stay active in for life.
3. Respecting Life Membership.
With the offer and choice of Life Membership came what I feel is a contract that goes on, well, for the life of the member. Earlier this year, I felt that bond was broken when a terrific asset, hard copy issues of the "American Scientist" were withdrawn. Many of us look forward to receiving and keeping them in our libraries. So, to retain those, in essence, I and all of the other Life Members could continue as Life Members as in the past, but now for a yearly fee. I feel this was an incorrect action, and as a Director, I will work to reverse that decision.
Biographical Information: Paul M. Stein earned his B. S. with Distinction in Life Sciences from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, his M. S. in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of North Dakota, and his Ph. D. in Physiology from Albany Medical College. His research concentrated in the fields of thermoregulatory and respiratory physiology and shock and trauma. Following post-doctoral research at Indiana University, the Medical College of Ohio, and the University of Kansas in cardiovascular physiology, he moved on to an industrial Staff Scientist position at Medtronic, Inc. in Minnesota. His 15 years there, first in pacing research and later as a Study Coordinator and GLP Study Director at their animal research facility, were instrumental to bring many implantable and interventional cardiac rhythm management, heart failure, and sleep apnea devices into clinical studies and market release. Doctor Stein then moved to ev3 Inc., also in Minnesota, where he gained expertise choosing and monitoring contract research facilities around the United States for various cardiac products. He then moved to a Principal Scientist and pre-clinical management position at St. Jude Medical Inc. where, for six years, he was responsible for overseeing the scientific and regulatory aspects of their California pre-clinical facility. As Facility Director, he implemented a continuous improvement program that doubled the study capacity within six months. This year, Doctor Stein has moved to the position of Director of Research position at Onciomed, Inc., an obesity medical device company in California. On a part-time basis, he also teaches anatomy and physiology online at South University. Doctor Stein possesses a Six Sigma Green Belt, has co-authored eight manuscripts and 25 abstracts, and holds eleven patents with three pending for a wide variety of class III medical devices.
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