December 17, 2015
For the 78th consecutive year, Sigma Xi presents its panel of Distinguished Lecturers as an opportunity for chapters to host visits from outstanding individuals who are at the leading edge of science. These visitors communicate their insights and excitement on a broad range of topics.
The Distinguished Lecturers are available from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Each speaker has consented to a modest honorarium together with full payment of travel costs and subsistence.
Sigma Xi chapters may apply for subsidies to support expenses related to hosting a Distinguished Lecturer. Applications must be submitted online by March 1, 2016, for funds to be available the next fiscal year.
Additional support for the program comes from the American Meteorological Society and the National Cancer Institute. Lecturer biographies, contact information, and additional details can be found on the 2016–2017 lecturers page or by email to lectureships@sigmaxi.org.
—Judith Herzfeld, Chair
Committee on Lectureships
Additionally, Sigma Xi and American Scientist are hosting online Q & A sessions with Distinguished Lecturers. The schedule and recordings are available on the Lectureships page.
2016–2017 Lecturers
Lance Bosart
Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York
Richard Canary
Professor of Mathematics, University of Michigan
Susan N. Coppersmith
Robert E. Fassnacht and Vilas Professor of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lee Dugatkin
Professor of Biology, University of Louisville
Edward J. Hackett
Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
Sandra L. Hanson
Professor of Sociology, Catholic University
Nicholas Hud
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology
René López
Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy & Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Peter R. MacLeish
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Director of the Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine
Beth A. Middleton
Research Ecologist, GS15. U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Bryant C. Nelson
Staff Research Chemist, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Karen K. Oates
Professor of Biochemistry and the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Jim O’Connor
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Alexander Orlov
Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at State University of New York, Stony Brook
June J. Pilcher
Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Clemson University
M. V. Ramana
Research Staff, Princeton University
Paula Rayman
Professor of Sociology at University of Massachusetts Lowell
Omowunmi (Wunmi) Sadik
Professor of Chemistry and Director, Center for Advanced Sensors & Environmental Systems, State University of New York at Binghamton
Sally C. Seidel
Professor of Physics, University of New Mexico
Herman Sintim
Drug Discovery Professor of Chemisty–Organic Chemistry/Chemical Biology, Purdue University
Todd Surovell
Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Wyoming
George Weiblen
Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Plant Biology and Interim Scientific Director, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota