Justin L. Wilson

Present Position

Director, McNair Scholars Program, Cleveland State University

Chapter Affiliation

Case Western Reserve University

Background Information

Biography
CV

Statement

Sigma Xi embodies what is science and the scientific endeavor for me.  It serves to disseminate and make accessible the principles and practices of science to the global community.  Sigma Xi is also at the forefront informing scientists about not just the latest research achievements, but also often giving each of us (at a minimum) a glimpse into other fields outside our own. The latter is especially important as I believe it helps us to look at different points of views which can infuse us with new creativity in advancing the science in our own disciplines. 

I joined Sigma Xi in 2004 as an undergraduate student where the local chapter provided a great deal of encouragement and support for my scientific pursuit. This early interaction shaped my views about science and what it meant to be a scientist. The awareness of the responsibilities of being a scientist is not just about one’s own research conduct and ethics but also advocating science to the world at large. It is through this advocating of science that captures the imagination of all students that draws more people into contributing to the scientific endeavor.  As Associate Director for the Research & Doctoral Universities Constituency, I would work closely with the Director and help to further develop and implement new advocacy strategies especially to nurture and grow the coming generations of scientists. Consider this: The early stages of an exponential explosion of new inter- and cross-disciplinary problems as we have been witnessing in this age of social media and mass connectivity calls for an agent, in this case Sigma Xi, to help guide all of us in mapping out the way ahead. For the next-generation of scientific discoveries to happen, we need to further identify what Sigma Xi can provide as a catalyst for success. Basically, I hope to be able to further add to Sigma Xi new ideas to increase the pipeline of  future scientist! 

Sigma Xi and me. As I mentioned earlier, I joined Sigma Xi in 2004. Through the years, I have introduced students (both undergraduate and graduate) to Sigma Xi by encouraging them to read American Scientist to broaden their perspectives, compete in the Grants-in-Aid of Research program, and participate in activities sponsored by the local chapters.  I currently relocated to Ohio and now I am affiliated with the Case Western Reserve University chapter of Sigma Xi.