Terry L. Helser

2026 Sigma Xi Fellow

Statement

“Lost to my memory is when I first learned of Sigma Xi, but I joined The Oneonta Chapter of Sigma Xi, the scientific honor society, in 1980, when I arrived at SUNY Oneonta. I presented The Oneonta Chapter of Sigma Xi, Educators' Open House, and presented or attended a number of the conferences. The Oneonta Chapter of Sigma Xi elected me president for 1996-00. I served as treasurer, (1991-96), secretary, (1989-91), and continued on the Awards Committee from 1990 -2006. I was serving as vice-president until I retired in 2011 as the chapter became dormant due to the lack of interest from junior faculty and students. Sorry about that, but the chapter funds were donated to a student science scholarship fund for the science departments, so it continues to support students in science."

Biography

How does a kid who grew up hearing the roar of Indy cars every May become a Fellow of Sigma Xi? It comes from choices. In high schooI, I chose to focus on academics and science, not athletics. I chose Manchester College for a BA in Chemistry, and met and married my wife, which I think was my choice? I chose the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for a PhD in Biochemistry, where Julien E. Davies chose me to study Kasugamycin antibiotic resistance in his lab. This led to postdoctoral studies with the Dahlbergs, Cal McLaughlin, R. Zitomer and H. Fried in yeast and X. laevis Oocytes. This eventually led to joining the Biology department at Millersville State, where I first appreciated the role of evolution in nucleic acid and ribosome metabolism. I also began to learn how to teach, and how not to. To her credit, my wife chose to follow me across the country and back while raising our two kids. We just celebrated our 58th anniversary, so it really helps to have a strong, loving support system.

Some career moves are not your choice, but they can eventually be beneficial. Not getting tenure at MSC, led to summer research studying rna gene mutations in yeast, and an assistant professorship at SUNY College @ Oneonta, NY, where I spent 31 years teaching biochemistry, molecular biology and chemistry. Becoming increasingly dissatisfied with cookbook labs and lectures, I chose to convert mine to active, cooperative techniques in both class and the lab (see publications ) before I learned it was actually a “thing”. My labs used a "discovery" format with teams given a question to explore and materials to use, more like science is actually done, and removed the cookbook.

The resulting publications include my thesis and seven major research papers, at least eighteen teaching papers on a variety of topics and over forty games and puzzles that I used in teaching my classes (see publications ).

Group memberships open opportunities and resources for your career, so I chose to join The American Chemical Society in 1994, The American Society for Microbiology from 1972-98, The American Association for the Advancement of Science since 1977, SigmaXi , The Scientific Research Society, since 1980, The New York Academy of Science, 1980-90, Text & Academic Authors Assn., Inc. 1996-98, and teachers' unions like UUP, NYSUT, etc. Being an early adopter of computers (anyone remember the KAYPRO “portable”?), I joined the Macintosh Users Group, MUGONE, in Oneonta, and enjoyed learning the Apple technology. While usually not a willing choice, I did agree to various administrative positions. I served as department chair twice. I was chairman of the Library Committee and representative to the College Senate for ten terms. I served on the Food and Nutrition Programs Advisory Committee, and as Chairman andTreasurer of the Committee on Research. I have been a member of the Faculty Administrative Council, the Academic Excellence Committee, the Retention Advisement Committee, the Public Events Committee, the Institutional Review Committee, the College Library Committee and the Academic Priorities/ Resource Allocation Committee. I even adjudicated a case of fraternity brothers kidnapping a pledge who wanted to take an important test instead of participate in some frat foolishness. Talk about poor choices! Had campus police been armed at that point, the consequences might have been much, much worse. Time flies when you’re having “fun”.

While all of this is the essence of a career in science education, you also live, work and play in a family and community. For me, that meant being a cub scout and webelos den leader, a Head or Problem Judge for a regional Odyssey of the Mind problem, and a judge at the NY State competition in 1989. I also developed a toxic chemicals display for our Science Discovery Center. I prepared the site and judged a C.A.S.S.C. Science Fair, and judged a Science Olympiad. I judged the Biochemistry and Physiology papers at Hartwick College, a local private institution. Finally, I participated in the Science-By-Mail project of NSF, acting as a scientist pen pal to students.

Finally, another pearl of wisdom, to remain sane and cope with life, you have to do things you enjoy for yourself. I learned to love catching fish as a kid in Indiana and on vacations at lakes in Michigan and Wisconsin. I occasionally reacquainted myself with the sport wherever I was, but really got hooked, so to speak, when I hired Dr. Alan Green for the department. He’s also a competitive bass angler and guide on Otsego Lake and in the region. He became a good friend and bass fishing mentor. When the kids left to start their careers and families (of which I am extremely proud), we bought a house on 20 acres of land with woods and 2.5 acres of pond with an abundance of bass. Heaven to me! I learned to cut and split wood, clear brush, build gravel paths, mow meadows and deal with the wildlife. I have stories. Since retiring to Annapolis MD, to be closer to the kids and grandchildren, I have had more time to fish with the Crabtowne Bassmasters and new friends.

One final choice. Be open throughout life to learning. On a whim, I took an art class at our development’s lodge, and learned I really liked to paint in oils. I now have walls filled with my paintings of flowers, critters and landscapes. Who knew? So keep learning, keep trying and keep loving life. It doesn’t last forever. Cheers!