George Perry

Present Position

Chief Scientist and Professor of Biology and Chemistry and Semmes Foundation Distinguished University Chair in Neurobiology, College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio 

Chapter Affiliation

Alamo 

Background Information

CV
Biography

Statement

Sigma Xi must be the center of scholarly debate for science in the greatest period of questioning science in generations. Creationism and global warming are just the beginning of a long list that must be informed by scientific data and not beliefs from either side. As the leading scientific honor society, Sigma Xi needs to advocate to scientists and non-scientists that while we live most of our life based on belief, it is not scientific truth. Science is fundamentally based on observation and is tentative to those observations. Success of science is based on emergence in the renaissance of observation as the standard of truth in the natural world. Sigma Xi must prevent a return to the dark ages of truth by authority. Success in this area requires greater outreach to non-scientist policy leaders to explain our value to society. Greater inclusion of women, minorities, youth, and policy opinion makers in Sigma Xi's leadership is essential for our message to reach a broader audience and continue to future generations. For over a decade I have led a college of sciences at a major minority-serving university, managed numerous outreach activities, and reactivated and led a Sigma Xi chapter. As president, I will direct my efforts to building on Sigma Xi's history of scientific excellence and establishing it as the scientific honor society, gaining the next generation of young scientists.

Qualifications:

• Prolific and active author and editor on a variety of topics.

• Scientific administrator.

• Only person to be elected to Mexican, Portuguese, and Spanish academies of science, based on continuous contribution to Hispanic peoples throughout the world.

• Leadership of minority mentoring programs (SACNAS Distinguished Professional Mentor Award) and Portuguese-American programs in the community (National Organization of Portuguese-Americans).

• Led Texas Science and Engineering Fair for over a decade.

• Reestablished Cleveland’s Sigma Xi chapter after a dormant period, and developed Science Café Cleveland and later Science Café San Antonio.  Awarded most prestigious award from San Antonio Sigma Xi chapter.

• Presidency:  American Association of Neuropathologists, Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division of AAAS, Cleveland Chapter of Sigma Xi, National Organization of Portuguese-Americans, Microscope Society of Northeastern Ohio, AAUP Case Western Reserve University Chapter, Baylor College of Medicine Alumni Association.

An Interview with Dr. Perry

If elected president, what would be your goals, particularly concerning membership, fiscal growth, and policy for Sigma Xi’s future?

Sigma Xi is THE scientific and engineering honor society. Growing that vision requires creating greater value in membership and recruiting and mentoring younger, more diverse members to excellence. Increasing membership through nomination of faculty, staff scientists, fellows, and students following success such as award of tenure, major awards and grants, should be coordinated with universities and national funding sources. Outreach at major diversity events such as those from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), and Science Fairs (I led the Texas Science Fair for over a decade), could connect award winners with affiliate/associate memberships. I also plan to focus on bringing in new funds through philanthropy from organizations that share our goals in forming policy and mentorship. Lastly, I will build on Sigma Xi’s history of being a source for the best science to inform policy.

Tell us about your most relevant leadership experience.

I have led several professional and educational organizations. These include the reactivation of the Case Western Research University Sigma Xi, following in the footsteps of Fred Robbins, the only Nobel laureate to lead Sigma Xi. In Cleveland, I initiated the Science Café, as I did for the Alamo chapter when I moved to San Antonio. I am also past president and secretary/treasurer of the American Association of Neuropathologists: I was only the second PhD elected as president in its nearly 100-year history. As secretary/treasurer for nearly a decade, I administered all aspects of the society.

As a chair of pathology at Case Western Reserve University, and until recently, as dean of the College of Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio, I have led a complex research-educational team to thrive. While dean, I raised over $50 MM and look forward to advocacy for Sigma Xi. A major passion is inclusion, which I accomplish through example and mentorship. SACNAS awarded the Distinguished Professional Mentor Award for my efforts. I lead the National Organization of Portuguese Americans and am proud of my first generation status.

What is the most significant issue within Sigma Xi that you would exert time and effort to address? 

Sigma Xi has always provided career development but must do more to establish itself as the scientific society that mentors success. The progress and infrastructure is there but Sigma Xi must initiate, embrace, and promote a broader range of excellence. Partnership with the National Mentoring Network and other successful efforts can amplify Sigma Xi’s effectiveness. No less important is informing the public what science is and its essential value to advance our understanding of critical issues, whether they be global warming, environment preservation, or evolution. We must present the nature of what scientific evidence can address and the progress needed through evidence-based conclusion.

What particular personal qualities do you possess that might help convince members to vote for you?

My colleagues say persistence, inclusiveness, integrity, broad understanding of science and engineering and finally, strong leadership and fiscal skills. All that, wrapped in an active scientist at the forefront of the most important disease of our time: Alzheimer’s disease. I lead by example.