Howard S. Matis

Present Position

Affiliate staff scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Chapter Affiliation

None; Member-at-Large

Background Information

CV
Biography

Statement

In these turbulent political times, Sigma Xi has the responsibility to speak to our nation about science.  It must enunciate the knowledge that scientists have found and educate the public on the necessary steps that these discoveries require.  In the era when individuals smear information that they do not like by calling it “fake”, we scientists have the duty to provide authentic communications.  That effort is so imperative so that that our society can have reliable information. In the midst of the clamor from so many voices in our social media, there must be a powerful presence by Sigma Xi on Science.

If elected to be an Associate Director, I will work closely with the Director and help further develop and implement our existing statements and strategies.  In addition, I diligently will assist Sigma Xi to address these issues and future ones when they arise.  In my current circumstances, I will have the opportunity and flexibility to make such significant contributions.

Finally, it is most important to assist and mentor our students.  They are the future of our field.  They will discover amazing new things that we thought were impossible.  We must encourage and work with them everywhere as that is the best policy to make significant scientific advances.  We must make sure that they can avail of all the resources in this country. In addition, we must support scientists all over the world as no nation has a monopoly on knowledge. We gain so much by cooperating internationally.

Sigma Xi and me

This year, Sigma Xi nominated me to join when I was elected a AAAS Fellow. In this short time, I have been very impressed by the information that I learn from reading the “American Scientist.” I am so very proud that Sigma Xi has made a powerful statement about Charlottesville.  Another significant initiative is the offer for Climate Science research grants. This effort trains and helps future leaders address this very import problem that our Earth faces. Focusing on Climate Change is an obligation that we must embrace and devote resources, so that technological solutions to reduce green house gasses can be created.