November 2008
Sigma Xi Emeritus Member Newsletter
Emeritus Member eBlast is a monthly companion to the twice-yearly printed Emeritus Member News. We always welcome your contributions. And many thanks if you have elected to receive Emeritus Member News as an e-mailed PDF to help us save a few trees! You can make this request by e-mailing development@sigmaxi.org.
N.B.: Dates in parenthesis after Members' names denotes their year of induction into Sigma Xi.
IN THIS ISSUE
FROM THE NEW DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL ADVANCEMENT
The United States has just completed one of the longest and most intense political campaigns in its history. No matter how you voted, we know that our members were keenly interested because one of the most visited links on the Sigma Xi Web site over the past two months provided access to the presidential candidates' views on science policy issues. We will all be closely following the Obama administration's first steps to address the nation's scientific challenges-ranging from energy self-sufficiency to governmental funding for research. Your Society will make every effort to collect and disseminate this information to you as quickly as possible.
Over the past two years, many emeritus members built an online friendship with KRISTEN GREENAWAY, the former Sigma Xi director of development. I talked with Kristen last week, and she sends her best wishes to you all from the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, where she is now director of development and external relations. It was my privilege to assume her responsibilities here at Sigma Xi when I became director of the new Organizational Advancement department in September. I will make every effort to continue and improve the service you have received from Sigma Xi, including our Emeritus e-newsletter. I also want to get to know you over the coming years, and I encourage you to contact me directly at 800-243-6534 (Ext. 210) or pcates@sigmaxi.org at any time.
PHILLIP CATES
Director of Organizational Advancement
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
As the 2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., November 20-23 draws near; I want to give you a "heads up" on several issues to be discussed and opportunities that will be available.
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ONLINE ANNUAL MEETING REGISTRATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 12
The 2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference in Washington, D.C., will feature talks by Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director CHARLES ELACHI (1975), Inforex President ROBERT BOILY (2005), General Motors engineer PATRICK USORO (1979) and University of Oxford mathematician MASON PORTER (1997). We hope you will join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking program. If you plan to attend, note that the deadline for online registration is November 12. For more information: http://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/annual/index.shtml
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FOCUS ON GLOBAL WATER ISSUES
For this year's annual meeting in Washington, Sigma Xi has negotiated a special showing of Irena Salina's award-winning documentary "Flow: For Love of Water" on Friday, November 21. The film concerns what many call the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century. Saturday Science Sessions (November 22) on the global water crisis will be another highlight of the meeting. A morning panel will feature PETER H. GLEICK, president of the Pacific Institute; ANDRAS SZOLLOSI-NAGY, director of UNESCO's Division of Water Sciences; PETER THUM, founder of Ethos Water; and THOMAS G. MATTIA, senior vice president of the Coca Cola Company. The panel will be moderated by MICHAEL CROSBY (1989), executive director of the National Science Board and interim vice chancellor for research at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Saturday afternoon workshops will be led by JON C. COOPER (1973), a scientist, lawyer and conservationist; VERNON MASAVESVA, executive director of Black Mesa Trust and a chief in the Hopi Tribe; COLLIN WALKER, senior environmental scientist, Geo and Hydro Environmental Management P/L; MARK A. SHANNON (2008), James W. Bayne Professor and director of the Center for Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and FEDRO S. ZAZUETA (1999), professor of agricultural and biological engineering and director of the Office of Academic Technology, University of Florida. Visit link for details: http://sigmaxi.org/about/news/2008AMSRCsat.shtml
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SIGMA XI YEAR OF WATER WHITE PAPERS
For Sigma Xi's Critical Issues in Science series this has been the Year of Water. We solicited white papers of 1,000 words or less on related topics, written to persuade to a point of view, outlining a problem and prospective solutions. We are posting them online to stimulate discussion. To read them, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org//programs/issues/whitepapers.shtml
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WILL YOU SUPPORT CHILDREN'S SCIENCE DAY AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING?
On Friday afternoon, November 21, at the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting, we will reach out to 100 local elementary school students and their teachers with "a hands-on day of science." These fourth- and fifth-graders will participate in science activities, take a tour of the exhibit hall featuring poster presentations by graduate and undergraduate students and post their own water theme posters. We will post pictures of the event on our Web site. With your support, the children will receive school supplies, snacks and a small science-related gift bag, and their teachers will receive gift cards to purchase classroom supplies. If you like to support this outreach program, we invite you to make a contribution today at: https://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/annual/contribution.html
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SETTING OF MEMBER DUES
Each year the Society's annual dues are set for the upcoming year by the delegates at the annual meeting. Dues proposals are developed only after a very intensive effort is made to ensure that both the cost-effectiveness of our operating budget and that strict expenditure controls are place. Over the past three years Sigma Xi reduced our staff by 15 and instituted cost savings of more than $400,000. This year's dues proposal does not raise Emeritus or Student membership costs.
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SCIENCE CAFÉS IN WASHINGTON
If you are in the D.C. area, we encourage you attend one of several Science Cafés that will be offered on Friday evening, November 21, in conjunction with our annual meeting. There are two that are confirmed at this point. One is set for 8:30 p.m. at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel (our meeting site), and another will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Busboys & Poets, four blocks from the Marriott. Sigma Xi has been a leader in the Science Café movement. These informal gatherings allow scientists and engineers to interact with the public in a relaxed setting. As a founding partner of the Coalition for Public Understanding of Science (www.copusproject.org) and a hub for the Year of Science 2009 (www.yearofscience.org), your Society encourages each chapter as well as individual members to volunteer in support of this initiative to expand the public appreciation for science. For more information on where these events are held around the U.S. and how you can participate, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/public/cafe.shtml
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GIVING TO SIGMA XI IN 2008
In October you should have received an invitation to support the Society's annual fund campaign. In that letter, new Sigma Xi Executive Director Jerry Baker outlined a simple plan to make Sigma Xi stronger. If you have not received your letter, please let us know at development@sigmaxi.org. And if you have not yet made your donation, you are invited to do so online at: https://www.sigmaxi.org/about/support/contform.html.
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EMERGENCY ECONOMIC BAILOUT CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITY
With the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act on October 3, the government gave older Americans a new philanthropic opportunity. The tax extenders section included popular provisions that extend the sales tax deduction, the teacher's expense deduction, the research and development credit, favorable depreciation for restaurants and the IRA charitable rollover. The IRA rollover permits IRA owners over age 70 1/2 to transfer up to $100,000 per year to public charities tax free. It is available for both 2008 and 2009. The following limitations apply: (1) The donor must be age 70 1/2 or older, (2) The cap on annual IRA rollovers is $100,000, and (3) The contribution must be a direct gift to a charity (as a current gift, not as a planned gift). If you would like more information on this option, we recommend that you visit http://sigmaxi.giftlegacy.com or contact pcates@sigmaxi.org
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SIGMA XI MEMBERS RECEIVE NOBEL PRIZES
Two Sigma Xi members from Japan were among those to receive 2008 Nobel Prizes. MAKOTO KOBAYASHI (1965) shared the prize in physics "for the discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature." And OSAMU SHIMOMURA (1963) shared the chemistry prize "for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP," which is being used to illuminate various biological pathways, from neural circuits to cancer.
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OTHER SIGMA XI MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
HENRY R. KREIDER (1936) writes, "I am certainly happy to see that Sigma Xi is taking a leadership role n many aspects of problems confronting the country. As an example, I noted years ago that the U. S. would be confronted by a limitation of fresh water, and you are now acknowledging that and discussing means of correction [during Sigma Xi's Year of Water 2008]."
DONALD G. BURKHARD (1949), professor of physics emeritus at the University of Georgia, passes along this update: "It is known by direct observation that stars in their galaxies have been and are accumulating at the outer fringes of their galaxies at a constant acceleration within the galaxy. The current speed reached for the Milky Way is about 200 km/sec. Likewise the universe of galaxies are collectively receding from their point of origin at constant acceleration and also repelling one-another with a constant acceleration of the same value as that of the stars within the galaxy. Scientists have attributed the phenomena to forces produced by so-called dark matter and energy. This account is wrong. A believer in dark matter today is similar to the believer in mysticism in the Middle Ages. The correct explanation is given at the Web site: www.donaldgburkhard.com It is shown there that the cause is a real force that does not interact with Newtonian Gravity and exerts a small negative gravitational force that is responsible for the observed expansion phenomena. Preparatory to the above discussion, it is shown that gravity has the same structure as electromagnetism and may be similarly quantized."
Three Sigma Xi members received 2008 Medical Alumni Awards from the University of Kentucky. PAUL MANDELSTAM (1956) received the Honorary Alumnus Award in recognition of his 34 years of distinguished service on the UK College of Medicine faculty. ALLAN TASMAN (1992) received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his work to improve psychiatric care internationally. PHILLIP TIBBS (1984) also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his research on metastatic cancer of the brain and spine. Tibbs is professor and chair of UK's Department of Neurosurgery and also professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
DENNIS FOLDS (1985) was recently named chief scientist of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). In his new position as chief scientist, Folds will meet with current and prospective customers and oversee GTRI's independent research and development program, which fosters exploration and accelerates entry into new research areas. Folds has more than 25 years of experience in research and development related to human factors engineering.
STEPHEN J. MOREWITZ (2000) of San Francisco is the author of a new book, "Death Threats and Violence: New Research and Clinical Perspectives" (New York. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2008). It's on the Amazon.com Bestseller List for New and Forthcoming Books in Clinical Psychology. In addition, Morewitz and Mark L. Goldstein are the co-authors of "Aging and Chronic Disorders" (New York. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2007), which is a Nicki's Pick in Academia, an online magazine and resource for academic librarians.
Marine ecologist SONIA ORTEGA (1985), program director in the Division of Graduate Education at the National Science Foundation, received a Distinguished Professional Mentor Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at its recent meeting.
IMMANUEL J. WILK (1948) of Menlo Park, California, has been appointed senior scientist by the Neohydro Technologies Corporation, where he will be in charge of the company's research and development in all waste-water treatment applications.
JAMES E. HOLLENBECK (1996), associate professor and coordinator of secondary science education at Indiana University and Southeast ISTEM-IUS project director, is currently serving a Fulbright Fellowship to Bulgaria at the Sofia University St. Kliment Orhidski in the faculty of chemistry and British and American studies. He is teaching science, technology and society and science in literature and also conducting research on the integration of constructivist teaching methodology in secondary science classrooms in Bulgaria.
ROBERT M. HAZEN (1970) at George Mason University will receive the 2009 Distinguished Public Service Medal from the Mineralogical Society of America in recognition of his achievements as a scientist and his dedication to science and public service.
KARIN S. PFENNIG (1997), a biologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has received a $1.5 million New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health. An assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, Pfennig will use the award to fund experimental research in understanding how individuals' health status and external environment influence their behavior.
YONG SHI (2002) in the Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation for a project titled "MEMS Umbrella-Shaped Actuator with Active Structure for Medical Applications."
Four Sigma Xi members were among those to receive 2008 awards from the Entomological Society of America. TIFFANY M. HENG-MOSS (1996) won the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching. CONSUELO M. DE MORAES (1996) won the Early Career Innovation Award. DAVID R. COYLE (2003) won the Student Activity Award. And PRESTON BROWN (2007) won the Student Certification Award.
For more news items about Sigma Xi members, visit: http://sigmaxi.org/about/news/mitn.shtml
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SIGMA XI AFFINITY PROGRAMS
Your Society offers a number of affinity programs that include stimulating opportunities for travel and reduced rates on auto insurance and car rentals, among other benefits. For more information, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/member/membersonly/index.shtml
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AUTOMATIC ANNUAL DUES RENEWAL
Many Sigma Xi members are opting for the convenience of automatic membership renewal. You can now have your annual dues paid automatically every year via credit card or bank draft. An e-mail notification of the dues deduction will be sent to you after your credit card or bank account has been charged. For more information, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/member/dues/autopay.shtml
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EMERITUS PIPELINE ONLINE
The newly launched Emeritus Pipeline provides an interactive online forum for our emeriti members. Join in the conversation! And by all means let us know if we can improve the Emeritus Pipeline in any way by sending your suggestions to development@sigmaxi.org.
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SEND US YOUR SPARK?
Keep those Sparks coming! We continue to receive anecdotes about what initially sparked your interest in science or engineering. We plan to share these stories and perhaps create some new sparks for the next generation of researchers. The Sparks collection will be updated again later this fall. So it's not too late to submit yours. Please send your stories, to: development@sigmaxi.org
The third version of What Was Your Spark? is now available at:
http://www.sigmaxi.org/member/newsletters/spark-ver3.pdf
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WHAT'S YOUR NEWS?
Let us hear from you! We always welcome your contributions to our eBlasts. development@sigmaxi.org
Interim Editor: Charles Blackburn
cblackburn@sigmaxi.org
919-547-5212, or 800-243-6534, ext. 212
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
PO Box 13975
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
www.sigmaxi.org
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