DANA A. BAUM
Present Position
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemistry Graduate Program Coordinator
Chapter Affiliation
Saint Louis University Chapter
Background Information
CV
Biography
Statement
My Sigma Xi membership has been listed on my CV for years and I have enjoyed being affiliated with a multidisciplinary professional organization known for its support of undergraduate research and scientific literacy through American Scientist. As I finish my first term as your Regional Director, I continue to learn and be inspired by the work that Sigma Xi is doing and I hope to continue in this role.
I was inspired to run for Regional Director because of common challenges facing chapters and members involving career development and networking, chapter membership, and social media engagement. I feel even more strongly now these are important areas and that we should be thinking about new ways of working. These past few months have challenged many of us to think about how we communicate and engage in different ways and as scientists, I think many of us feel a duty unlike ever before to stand up for science. I see those discussions happen at Sigma Xi and I want to continue to be your representative for these discussions.
Sigma Xi and Other Activities: My relationship with Sigma Xi started when I was inducted as an Associate Member upon completing my Bachelor’s degree. I then achieved Full Member status when I earned my Ph.D. I became actively involved in the Saint Louis University (SLU) Chapter when I was asked to help with SLU Chapter’s annual research symposium. This research symposium is our chapter’s premiere event and keeps attracting more participants (over 80 graduate and undergraduate presenters for our last event). I have served as SLU Chapter’s Secretary, President-elect, and current President. Following election as Southeast Regional Director for Sigma Xi, I was then elected to the Executive Board. In addition to my service to Sigma Xi, I am formerly the Program Committee Chair for the Saint Louis Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and I have actively participated in discussions on campus focused on women in STEM and have served as a panelist for Expanding Your Horizons, an annual outreach event in the St. Louis area focused on encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM. I am also actively engaged in research, including graduate students, undergraduate students, and summer high school students.