Deborah J. Good

Chapter Affiliation

Background Information

Statement

I feel that one of my greatest achievements has been in developing and finding funding for programs to support experiential learning for young scientists. I have a personal passion in this area, as I was one of those students who had the opportunity to do undergraduate research—it changed my life.  That experience also led to one of the first times that I received recognition for my research, with a Sigma Xi chapter award from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia. 

I joined Sigma Xi after winning a Sigma Xi award as a graduate student, and I’ve never left the organization.  As the Mid-Atlantic Area Associate director and Past-President of the Virginia Tech chapter of Sigma Xi, I have worked to increase nominations for undergraduate and graduate students to become active Sigma Xi members.

I feel that our young members are our future—and also benefit the most from being nominated to join our prestigious honor society. Under my leadership, graduate students were invited for the first time to served as officers in the Virginia Tech chapter. They effectively served, providing leadership training for them, and fresh ideas for our chapter.  In addition, together with Vijay Kowtha, relaunching the Chronical of the New Researcher has been discussed as a role that the Mid-Atlantic Constituency and its members can play.  I feel that the Mid-Atlantic Constituency and Sigma Xi should continue to find ways to engage our young, budding scientists as one of our most precious resources!