VASUDEVAN (VENGU) LAKSHMINARAYANAN  

Present Position

Chapter Affiliation

Background Information

Statement

I am a proud member of Sigma Xi from 1988 when I joined the organization at the urging of my PhD thesis mentor at the University of California, Berkeley. The organization does many things for both the experienced as well as the budding scientist. It publishes a wonderful magazine (which I look forward to receiving) and has many different programs. However as a Director, I would like to further increase Sigma Xi’s activities into four major (and relevant )areas necessary for the continued growth of science as well as the organization.

• First, I would have Sigma Xi further increase its activities in the area of diversity in STEM areas.  According to the NSF, The U.S. science and engineering workforce has become more diverse, but several racial and ethnic minority groups continue to be significantly underrepresented (11% compared to about 70% Caucasian).  Women make up only 29% of the science and engineering workforce even though they make up half of the college educated workforce.  The situation is not that much different, for example in Canada or the European Union.  Given the changing demographics in the nation, this situation has to change.  One way to achieve this is to have various support and outreach activities by Sigma Xi encouraging minority and gender diversity in STEM education.  This I believe should be a priority.  There is also a side benefit for the society – increasing the numbers of STEM students and workers will also enlarge the pool of potential members for the society.  Members are the life blood of the organization and in order to flourish we need to expand membership.
  
  
• Second, Education and outreach is another area we should play a major role.   This goes hand in hand with the first priority of increasing diversity.  A major finding from various studies is that in order to keep students interested in STEM is to “catch them young”.  This implies that we have a vigorous K-12 outreach program.  This is best done through local chapters of Sigma Xi.  Therefore, in order to achieve this goal, we should encourage such activities by the chapters by providing them with resources (financial and otherwise).
  
  
• Third, I would have Sigma Xi take a more active role in science and technology policy.  This implies that we educate and serve as a resource for policymakers at both the federal and state level.  This is crucial for education infrastructure, science funding and as a conduit for data and analysis for crucial issues facing us such as climate change, healthcare, transportation and energy.  I would recommend that Sigma Xi work in collaboration with other science advocacy organization and other professional societies.  Many societies offer science policy fellowships for young professionals and I believe Sigma Xi should explore the possibilities of such a fellowship and also take part in activities such as Congressional Visits days.
  
  
• Fourth, science is not only becoming far more inter/multi-disciplinary, but is also international.  I believe as a society, we should increase the visibility and activities of the society worldwide (more international chapters, and recruitment of members worldwide).