News Archive

College students who would like funding through Sigma Xi's Grants-in-Aid of Research program need to submit their application by October 15. The application form will be on Sigma Xi's website, www.sigmaxi.org, by August 15.

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society helped showcase entomology-themed art last night at RTP180: Art in the Triangle. An artist and researcher from New York City, Brandon Ballengee, creates Love Motels for Insects. These art installations are built with canvas, sometimes shaped like insects, and lit with ultraviolet light to attract bugs.

<p>Sigma Xi's membership-at-large has elected Dr. Vijay C. Kowtha as their associate director.</p>

<p>Today marks a change in leadership as Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society begins fiscal year 2015. Dr. Linda K. Meadows has completed her term as president. The role has transitioned to Dr. George H. Atkinson. </p>

<p>Dr. Jerry Baker has announced his resignation from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, which is effective July 31, 2014. Since 2008, Baker has served as the Society’s chief executive officer, executive director, and publisher of its magazine, <em>American Scientist.</em> </p>

<p>Sigma Xi members were among the 84 new members and 21 foreign associates elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. This class continued the trend of increased female recognition.</p><p>The academy is a nonprofit society of scientists and engineers committed to the furtherance of science and technology and its use for general welfare. It was established in 1863 by an act of Congress signed by President Abraham Lincoln that calls on the academy to provide objective advice to the nation about science and technology.</p>

<p>Sigma Xi participated at the following 2014 events to support students interested in science and engineering.</p> <p> <strong>North Carolina FIRST Robotics Competition</strong> </p><p> Raleigh, North Carolina: Sigma Xi sponsored this regional engineering competition for grades 9-12. Executive Director Jerry Baker was a judge.</p>

Editor's Note: This is the first president's letter of George H. Atkinson, who will serve as president of Sigma Xi from July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015. This letter was also published in the July-August issue of American Scientist.

After two years of virtual meetings, Sigma Xi members will gather in person November 6-9 in Glendale, Arizona, for the 2014 Annual Meeting, Assembly of Delegates, and International Research Conference.

Sigma Xi will launch a new website this fall that will have improved tools for chapter officers and more functionality for members, including a member directory. It will be a valuable asset to keep everyone informed of the organization's initiatives.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina —Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society's new journal, Chronicle of The New Researcher, is now accepting manuscripts at www.ctnr.org. Sigma Xi created Chronicle of The New Researcher expressly for the purpose of publishing an online, open access journal that allows outstanding pre-collegiate students in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas to showcase their research. The first manuscript will be published soon.

<p>Research Triangle Park, North Carolina — When an honor society opens its doors to you, why should you join? What place does honor hold in our world today? Leaders of four honor societies, including Sigma Xi, shared their answers in the summer 2014 edition of Phi Kappa Phi Forum.</p><p>The article, "The Role and Value of Honor Today: A Roundtable," also has input from leaders of Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honor Society; Phi Beta Kappa Society, and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, which publishes Phi Kappa Phi Forum.</p>

Nineteen Sigma Xi members served as judges May 13-14 at Intel ISEF in Los Angeles, the largest international pre-college science competition. They selected five teams to win Sigma Xi's Special Awards. The teams they selected were announced May 15 during a reception in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, will welcome Dr. Jamie Vernon on July 1 as director of science communications and publications. He will also be editor in chief of Sigma Xi's award-winning magazine, American Scientist. Vernon is a Sigma Xi member and was previously an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow and AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Sigma Xi is seeking candidates for leadership positions in the Society. Please take a few minutes to think about who you know that you believe can provide the leadership and vision to help Sigma Xi grow and fulfill its mission in these positions. This is an opportunity for every member of Sigma Xi to participate in the process to select the leadership of the Society and make an impact. Your participation in this nomination process is not only welcomed but encouraged.

Each of us wants our research to ultimately make our world a better place, to benefit society. An emerging field bridging science and human rights offers many opportunities for scientists, engineers, and human rights organizations to work together towards their mutual interests.

The Membership-at-Large Constituency will be electing an Associate Director. This will be a new position in the leadership of the Society. Therefore, a nomination committee is seeking qualified candidates willing to stand for election and serve. If you are interested in having your name placed on the ballot please respond to Jerry Baker, Executive Director, (ExecutiveOffice@sigmaxi.org) by the nomination deadline of May 16, 2014. Your email should include a brief statement about your experience with Sigma Xi, a short CV and your vision for Membership-at-Large.

Sigma Xi is helping to get students excited about STEM careers. Eight Sigma Xi members are speakers today at X-STEM, an extreme symposium for elementary through high school students. Additionally, Sigma Xi's executive director, Jerry Baker, is an X-STEM emcee.

Ten of the 102 recipents of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers are members of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.