Ray Byrne
Chapter Affiliation
University of New Mexico
Background Information
CV
Biography
Statement
If elected to serve as a director representing Research & Doctoral Universities, I plant to extend my service to members of Sigma Xi by using my extensive industry and research experience to help grow existing Chapters and to start new Chapters. Colleges and universities are the foundation for academic research and education. Therefore, as the scientific research honor society, it is natural for Sigma Xi to continue close relationships with colleges and universities. By identifying outstanding researchers for membership, Sigma Xi recognizes excellence in scientific research. Since many of the challenges facing humanity are multidisciplinary, Sigma Xi is uniquely positioned to encourage the scientific research necessary to solve these difficult problems.
One of the greatest challenges to science and engineering today is pollicization. In my field of electrical engineering, politicians are designing the electrical grid of the future (instead of engineers and scientists). Politics serves a role in advancing high level R&D goals and strategies, and in many cases ultimately provides research funding. Therefore, scientists and engineers should strive to communicate the facts to politicians and the public while remaining apolitical. Likewise, Sigma Xi should strive to improve the literacy of the general public (and politicians) on critical scientific issues like climate change while remaining apolitical.