2025 Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society

For outstanding service to Sigma Xi and its mission.

Rudy Ruggles

Vice Chairman, J. Craig Venter Institute
Adjunct Scientist

Biography

Rudy L. Ruggles Jr. is the 2025 recipient of the Sigma Xi Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society, recognizing his exceptional dedication to advancing the Society’s mission through decades of service and leadership. An Honorary Member of Sigma Xi, having been elected to the Society in 1962, Mr. Ruggles has championed scientific research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement throughout his distinguished career.

He was a Senior Associate Physicist at IBM Research Laboratory, with patents in semiconductor device physics, and was on the Corporate Strategic Planning Staff contributed to corporate research planning at IBM’s headquarters. He is currently the Chairman of the Scientific Research Advisory Board of the Rudy L. Ruggles Biomedical Research Institute at Nuvance Health/Northwell Medical Centers.

Beyond Sigma Xi, Mr. Ruggles has held influential roles in a variety of organizations, including President of the Hudson Institute (a national security ‘think tank’), currently Vice Chairman of the Board and Adjunct Professor at the J. Craig Venter Institute, and a Board member of several cultural, academic, national security, and philanthropic organizations. His lifetime of service reflects a deep commitment to the advancement of science and society and embodies the spirit and values of the Evan Ferguson Award.