December 17, 2015

For the 78th consecutive year, Sigma Xi presents its panel of Distinguished Lecturers as an opportunity for chapters to host visits from outstanding individuals who are at the leading edge of science. These visitors communicate their insights and excitement on a broad range of topics.

The Distinguished Lecturers are available from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Each speaker has consented to a modest honorarium together with full payment of travel costs and subsistence.

Sigma Xi chapters may apply for subsidies to support expenses related to hosting a Distinguished Lecturer. Applications must be submitted online by March 1, 2016, for funds to be available the next fiscal year. 

Additional support for the program comes from the American Meteorological Society and the National Cancer Institute. Lecturer biographies, contact information, and additional details can be found on the 2016–2017 lecturers page or by email to lectureships@sigmaxi.org.

—Judith Herzfeld, Chair
Committee on Lectureships

Additionally, Sigma Xi and American Scientist are hosting online Q & A sessions with Distinguished Lecturers. The schedule and recordings are available on the Lectureships page.  

2016–2017 Lecturers

Lance Bosart
Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

Richard Canary
Professor of Mathematics, University of Michigan

Susan N. Coppersmith
Robert E. Fassnacht and Vilas Professor of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

Lee Dugatkin
Professor of Biology, University of Louisville

Edward J. Hackett
Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University

Sandra L. Hanson
Professor of Sociology, Catholic University

Nicholas Hud
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology 

René López
Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy & Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Peter R. MacLeish
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Director of the Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine 

Beth A. Middleton
Research Ecologist, GS15. U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Bryant C. Nelson
Staff Research Chemist, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Karen K. Oates
Professor of Biochemistry and the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute 

Jim O’Connor
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Alexander Orlov
Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at State University of New York, Stony Brook

June J. Pilcher
Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Clemson University 

M. V. Ramana
Research Staff, Princeton University

Paula Rayman
Professor of Sociology at University of Massachusetts Lowell  

Omowunmi (Wunmi) Sadik
Professor of Chemistry and Director, Center for Advanced Sensors & Environmental Systems, State University of New York at Binghamton 

Sally C. Seidel
Professor of Physics, University of New Mexico

Herman Sintim
Drug Discovery Professor of Chemisty–Organic Chemistry/Chemical Biology, Purdue University

Todd Surovell
Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Wyoming

George Weiblen
Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Plant Biology and Interim Scientific Director, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota