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The Charlotte Chapter Volume 8 Issue 2 September 2002 Sigma Xi Student Research Conference Registration
Upcoming Sigma Xi Forum and Annual Meeting
The Sigma Xi Student Research Conference will be taking
place in Galveston, Texas on Saturday, November 16th.
The 2002 Forum and Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The
Highlights of the student conference include:
Scientific Research Society will take place at the Moody
 Poster presentations will be judged and CASH
Gardens Hotel in Galveston Island, Texas. The meeting will
PRIZES will be awarded.
begin on Thursday, 14 November, and will conclude on
Sunday, 17 November 2002.
 Students from dozens of institutions from across the
U.S. will be participating.
The November 2002 Forum, "Changing the Face of Science
 This is a GREAT opportunity for undergrads to gain
and Engineering," will take place November 14th and 15th,
exposure and experience at a national meeting.
and will address a variety of topics related to the scientific
 Benoit Mandelbrot, known as the "father of fractal
workforce of the future, including critical human resource
geometry," and famous for beautiful mathematical
issues and the need to be inclusive.
art will welcome students and be present throughout
the day.
The Society's Annual Meeting will convene from Friday
afternoon to Sunday and will include a variety of workshops, A printable PDF of the Student Research Conference
chapter poster sessions, delegate research posters,
announcement is available at the link below.
undergraduate research posters, and discussions in both the www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/student/program.pdf
regional assemblies and constituency groups, in addition to
the business that will be conducted in the Assemblies of
Please distribute this information widely and encourage
Delegates. On Saturday, 16 November, the Sigma Xi
talented undergraduates to participate. Space is limited.
Student Research Conference will take place that will
The deadline for registration is Friday, October 4th.
include nearly 200 undergraduate student research posters.
Also, please talk to the person at your institution responsible
More detailed information on both the Forum and Annual for graduate program recruiting and encourage him or her to
Meeting is available on the Society's web site:
make sure your institution has a booth at the Sigma Xi
www.sigmaxi.org.
Student Research Conference. This is a GREAT way to
recruit talented students and gain exposure for your
As President of the Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi, I will be institution's graduate programs. We have planned a very
representing our chapter. If you have any issues or questions exhibitor friendly program which includes two full hours of
that you would like me to bring up at the annual meeting,
time during the conference which the students are to use
please do not hesitate to contact me at hsdavids@dukeexclusively for talking to recruiters and exhibitors.
energy.com or 704-373-5738.
Complete information about exhibiting is available at:
www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/student/exhibit.shtml
Hilary Davidson
For further information, please contact Julia Reed, Program
Coordinator at Sigma Xi at 919-549-4691, Ext.206 or 800243-6534 or via e-mail at jreed@sigmaxi.org.
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Charlotte Area Science Network

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4/30/02 Supported a NSF grant for the CharlotteMecklenburg schools
The officers of the Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi have been
an integral part of the newly established Charlotte Area
Upcoming events supported by the Charlotte Chapter of
Science Network (CASN).
Sigma Xi and the Charlotte Area Science Network include:
The mission of this network is to foster community,
education and industry partnerships to promote science for
life in the Charlotte area. Together with other CASN
members including participants from Discovery Place,
American Chemical Society, UNCC, Duke Energy,
Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools and school board, American
Industrial Hygiene Association, Science Service and the Arts
& Science Council, the following goals have been
established:
1. Market science as fun and integral to life
2. Elevate the science knowledge level of:
a) the general public
b) the media
c) specific influentials
3. Develop Science Champions
4. Build Science Networks
5. Support the schools
6. Position Discovery Place as the hub for public
appreciation of science in Charlotte
7. Leverage science events, competitions, and resources
To focus on achieving the goals, the following three task
groups have been established. As members of the Charlotte
Chapter of Sigma Xi, you are invited to become involved in
any or all of them by contacting Hilary Davidson at
hsdavids@duke-energy.com.

10/1 – 10/4/02 Jane Goodall Week: Discovery
Place will be hosting Jane Goodall and the opening
of an IMAX film on her work with primates. Visit
the www.Discoveryplace.org for additional details.

10/12/02 – 10/15/02 Association of Science and
Technology Centers Conference: Discovery Place
is helping lead this event to be held at the convention
center. The theme is Access the Future. CASN
members were asked for support of this event in the
following ways: help with registration, monitor
sessions, and other support roles. About 400
volunteers will be needed. Call Joanie Philipp at
Discovery Place at 704-372-6261 extension 241 if
you are willing to volunteer.
11/9/02 Inventors Day at Discovery Place. If you
have any inventions that you would like to showcase
at this family-oriented day, please contact Debbie
Curry, Discovery Place, at 704-372-6261 extension
401.
February 2003 North Carolinas Juniors
Symposium in Humanities and Science is being
sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Center for Math
Science & Technology Education*, the Charlotte
Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Charlotte Area Science
Network, and others. Volunteers are needed to
judge presentations, and ideas are needed for tour
opportunities. Please contact *Alisa Wycliff at 704687-4838 if you would like to be involved, or have
tour ideas.
March 2003 Science Olympiad at J.C. Smith
University


1. Support the schools (science and technology related
support for primary & secondary schools in the
Charlotte area)
2. Build science networks (identify and involve

businesses and other organizations with an interest
in supporting science and technology education
initiatives in the Charlotte area)
There is opportunity for other organizations and individuals
3. Educate the public (to elevate science knowledge
to participate in the Charlotte Area Science Network. Many
levels in the Charlotte area)
Sigma Xi members are employed by, or active in other
organizations that could also bring value to this network. If
Recent events supported by the Charlotte Chapter of Sigma
you would be interested in becoming involved in any of the
Xi and the Area Science Network Members include:
task groups, activities, or in learning more about the
 12/8-9/01 Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the
Charlotte Area Science Network, please contact Hilary
Lab of Shakhashiri, a fun and educational chemical Davidson at hsdavids@duke-energy.com.
demonstration event at Discovery Place
 4/10/02 Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction
 4/25/02 Celebration of Undergraduate Research
 4/27/02 Health & Human Body Day at Discovery
Place
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Sigma Xi 2002 Celebration of Undergraduate Research Patten Priestley
Sean Burke
and Outstanding Science Educator Awards
The Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi in partnership with the
Charlotte Science Network held its annual “Celebration of
Undergraduate Research” on Thursday April 25, 2002 in the
First Union Theater at Discovery Place. Twenty-two
undergraduate researchers along with their research mentors
from science, mathematics, and engineering departments in
the Charlotte Area Educational Consortium were honored at
this event.
Queens University
Jennifer Reeves
Winthrop University
Lisa Hanson
Charlotta Wennefors
Jessica A. Cloy
Shannon Christopher
Physics
Biology
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Dr. Tim Gfroerer
Dr. Karen Hales
Psychology
Dr. Phillip S. Zeskind
Carolinas Medical Center
Chemistry
Dr. Christian Grattan
Chemistry
Dr. Lennart Kullberg
Biology
Dr. Janice Chism
Dr. Dwight Dimaculangan
Biology
Dr. Peter Phillips
Biology
Dr. Peter Phillips
In addition, the Chapter initiated “The Outstanding Science Amanda Plichta
Educator Awards” to be presented annually to area K-12
science teachers chosen for their contributions to raising the
quality of science instruction in area schools.
Please contact Linda Simpson at 704-687-4063 if you would
like information regarding participation in next year’s event.
Award recipients are listed below, and some photos of the
event can be found at our chapter web site found in the
Chapter programs section of the Sigma Xi website:
Call for Officer Nominations
www.sigmaxi.org.
If you would like to contribute a modest amount of your time
to bringing the wonder of science to the public, you can
become more active in Sigma Xi. The Charlotte Chapter is
2002 Outstanding Science Educator Award Recipients
leveraging the science resources of the community like never
before, and you have an opportunity to be an important
Ms. Kaye Daughtry, Elizabeth Elementary Traditional School
leader in our scientific community. Contact one of the
Ms. Bobbie Hinson, Providence Day School
current officers to express your interest in helping out. We
Ms. Caryn Long, Winterfield Elementary School
also have a few officer positions coming open as current
officers move into new roles. Positions that need to be
2002 Undergraduate Scientific Research Award Recipients filled include President-elect and Secretary. Feel free to
& Mentors
email your interest to one of the current officers, even if you
don’t know any of them. You can join us for a meeting to
UNC Charlotte
see what we do. We’re friendly and looking for new faces
Raheella Yunus
Biology
Dr. Monty Hughes
and ideas.
Joel Marquess
Jennifer Manning
Leigh Winfrey
Andrew Sumerel
Kim McPherson
Patrick Strothman
JCSU
Donnisha Dowling
Chemistry
Dr. Craig Ogle
Civil Engineering Dr. Helene Hilger
Physics
Dr. Susan Trammell
Charlotte Area Chapter Strategic Objectives
Physics
Dr. Mike Corwin
Health Promotion & Kinesiology
Dr. Bret Wood
Please take a minute to review the strategic objectives for the
Earth Science
Dr. John Diemer
Charlotte Area Chapter. Your feedback as members is
Risselor Butler
Dr. Henraya Davis
Dr. Mike Kidda
Psychology
Dr. Henraya Davis
Dr. Mike Kidda
Natural Sciences Dr. Joseph Faile
Lauren Joann Snyder
Sharon Meidt
Psychology
Physics
Hope Sinclair
Psychology
always appreciated, and suggestions for new programs and
how they align with the overall objectives are always
welcome!
Charlotte Chapter Sigma Xi Strategic Objectives and
Programs
1. Honor scientific accomplishments by:
Davidson College
 Sponsoring the Celebration of Undergraduate Research,
Stephanie Lynn Courchesne Neurosciences Dr. Julio Ramirez
an event that honors outstanding undergraduate
Julia McFadden Philpott Psychology
Dr. Kristi Multhaup
researchers and their mentors.
Dr. Cole Barton
Dr. Ken Krebs



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2. Encourage and enhance local appreciation and support of
original investigation in science and technology by:
 Partnering with select professional organizations to
sponsor scientific speakers for the community.
 Sponsoring science competitions for schools
3. Foster, locally, a creative and dynamic interaction among
science, technology, and society by:
 Identifying, integrating and communicating existing
science opportunities (e.g. links to website to list
science events, shows, facilities, etc.)
 Developing a science resource network to provide
advice as needed to local officials, journalists,
others.
 Linking Sigma Xi members with various corporate
mentor programs for local schools to encourage
children to explore science.
Membership
Welcome to Helen Cho, Davidson College, who recently
transferred her membership to the Charlotte Area chapter!
planning to host the first Regional Research Conference of
Sigma Xi. Planning is beginning for Fall 2004. Those
interested in this project, please contact Jack Sommer,
current Southeast Regional Director of Sigma Xi.
The Southeast region stretches from the northern border of
North Carolina across to the Mississippi River and south to
the Texas border. Jack began his term of office in July 2002
and will serve through June 2005. He invites any chapter
members to email him with ideas and questions at
jacksommer@aol.com
Charlotte Chapter List Serve
A listserve, or member e-mail distribution list, has been
established for the Charlotte Chapter! If you have comments
on this newsletter, have news for other chapter members, or
wish to have dialogue among chapter members, you can
send a note to the following address:
Ch561@listserver.sigmaxi.org.
2002-03 Officer: Charlotte Chapter of Sigma Xi
Do you have colleagues or coworkers who have shown
noteworthy achievements in a field of pure or applied
President:
Hilary Davidson
research? Honor their efforts by nominating them for
Duke Energy Corporation
membership in Sigma Xi. Increasing our membership will
P.O.Box 1006 ECI-12ZA
increase the amount of local support funds that we receive
Charlotte, NC 28202
from Sigma Xi that in turn will enable us to support more
704-373-5738
programs. Nomination forms are available from the Chapter
hsdavids@duke-energy.com
President or Sigma Xi Headquarters (www.sigmaxi.org)
Treasurer & Secretary:
New Student Membership Initiative: Do you have students
Linda M. Simpson
who have shown aptitude and interest in research? Consider
UNC Charlotte, Department of Biology
nominating them for associate membership in the Society.
9201 University City Blvd.
Many Sigma Xi members were first elected as students. To
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
encourage members to nominate students, the chapter has set
704-687-4063
aside funds to pay for a limited number of student
lmsimpso@email.uncc.edu
memberships. If you have a graduate or outstanding
Past President: John Buckley, PE
undergraduate that you’d like to nominate, submit your
Attorney at Law
nominations soon as funds are limited for this project.
8902 Horsecroft Court
Waxhaw, NC 28173
Has your Membership Lapsed?
704-258-3889
You may be reinstated without having to pay back dues, by
jcbuckley@aol.com
checking out the membership information at:
www.sigmaxi.org/membership/meminfo.htm
Sigma Xi Southeast Regional Director News
The Charlotte Chapter, in conjunction with the Charlotte
Area Science Network and other Sigma Xi chapters is
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Southeast Regional Director:
Dr. Jack Sommer
Political Economic Research Institute
19532 Weavers Circle
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-896-0718
jacksommer@aol.com
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