David Kerstetter

Associate Director Candidate
Southeast Region

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Statement

At its core, Sigma Xi represents a fundamental part of the scientific identity – the drive to explore the world through research. The organization best represents that identity through
three core missions: (1) collective action to highlight the importance of research to policy-makers and the public as a whole, (2) defend the independence of scientists to conduct valuable research activities, and (3) to facilitate the research of the next generation of scientists through exposure to different disciplines via the American Scientist magazine and support via conferences and small grant programs.

As the Associate Director for the Southeast Region constituency, I would work closely with the Director and help to further develop and implement new advocacy strategies especially to nurture and grow the coming generations of scientists. However, it would be pollyannish to ignore the fact that the current state of scientific research is increasingly precarious due to both the unpredictability of the disbursement federal funding, even when authorized by Congressional Budgets and the increasingly politicization of the federal grant process. During my career, I've both received federal grants and served as an ad hoc reviewer for NOAA and NSF programs, teaching me the value on both sides of an impartial, science-driven selection and award process. The combination of my research experiences as a professional academic scientist and my applied history with domestic and international management and policy uniquely positions me for best serving Sigma Xi as the Society navigates the future of science
and federal scientific funding in the United States.

Sigma Xi and me. I joined Sigma Xi in 2019 as the chapter at my university was just starting, although I had already by then been mentoring students and conducting externally funded research at several institutions for over 20 years, including since 2007 at my present university. Through the years, I have introduced students (both undergraduate and graduate) to Sigma Xi by encouraging them to compete in the Grants-in-Aid of Research program and to become members of the local chapter. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Nova Southeastern University Chapter.

David Kerstetter

Background Information

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