KATHY LU
Present Position
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Chapter Affiliation
Virginia Tech Chapter
Background Information
CV
Biography
Statement
1. Vision and philosophy
I will actively participate in managing the activities, property, and affairs of the Society, interact frequently with my constituency to maximize our Society’s mission and make the largest impact. I will contribute to conducting meetings of regional or constituency groups and take responsibility to proactively work with, give advice to, and contribute to the health of the local chapters. I will communicate frequently with my constituency group and the headquarter. I will conduct meetings of my constituency group at the Society’s annual meeting each November. Also, throughout the year I will remain abreast of Society activities by reading the Executive Director’s monthly updates and other Society communications, and by replying to email ballots on business matters of a time-sensitive nature. I will widely share the Society’s programs, history, mission, organizational structure, and strategic plan and be the strongest advocate for the Society as I can be among peers and in the community. I will actively identify potential sources of support and participate in solicitations and other fundraising efforts as needed. I will contribute wisdom and talent to fashion and promote Society practices and programs, recruit members, and participate actively in the revitalization of different chapters.
2. Relevant experience
I can bring a wide array of professional experience to the Director position of Sigma Xi. Some of my prior efforts are given below.
1) Secretary of National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, 2011-2012.
2) Vice President of National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, 2012-2013.
3) President-Elect of National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, 2013-2014.
4) President of National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, 2014-2015.
5) Spriggs Phase Equilibria Award Committee for American Ceramic Society, 2017 – 2020.
6) Committee on Greaves-Walker Award for American Ceramic Society-NICE (2016-2017).
7) Member of ACerS/NICE: Arthur L. Friedberg Ceramic Engineering Tutorial and Lecture Award Committee, 2016-2017.
8) Member of the Ellen Swallow Richards Diversity Award and Frank A. Crossley Diversity Award Subcommittee of TMS, 2017-2020.
9) Panelist of NSF Workshop on Emerging Opportunities in Ceramics and Glass, Arlington, VA, September 12-14, 2016.
10) Chair of the Nanomaterials Technical Division, American Nano Society, 2014.
11) External Board Member of Tennessee Solar Conversion and Storage using Outreach, Research and Education (TN-SCORE), 2014-2015.
12) Advisory Board Member for Sintering 2017 International Conference, San Diego, CA, 2017.
13) Advisory Board Member, Sintering2014 International Conference, Dresden, Germany, 2014.
14) Member of the Committee on Society Awards Karl Schwartzwalder-Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award Sub-Committee, 2009-2014.
15) Associate Editor of Journal of the American Ceramic Society.
16) 2018-present JOM Journal Advisor and Guest Editor.
17) 2014-present Editorial Review Board of Frontiers in Energy Research, section Fuel Cells.
18) 2014- present Editorial Board Member of Annals of Material Science & Engineering.
3. Previous experience with Sigma Xi programs
I have been a Sigma Xi member since 1998. When I was at Ohio State University, I actively participated in different local chapter events. At Virginia Tech, I have participated in some activities and nominated candidates for memberships. So far, I have not held any officer positions at Sigma Xi. With the progression of my career, my leadership positions in other organizations, and my involvement in conference organization and federal funding review activities, I have a strong desire to make a bigger impact in Sigma Xi by bringing my higher education experience, my understanding of different government agencies, and my experience in extensive research activities.