Welcome to Sigma Xi in Boulder
The local chapter of Sigma Xi meets at noon on a
Tuesday (usually the first) in each of the months October, November,
December, February, March, and April
at the University Memorial Center, at NCAR, or at NOAA.
Lunch starts at 11:30. We
invite a local scientist to describe scientific
results or scientific issues, starting about 12:15.
More below about the lunch programs.
EVERYONE is welcome at CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE, meeting monthly (usually the
second Tuesday of the month) at REDFISH, just off the Pearl Street Mall.
CafeSci page ,
Redfish page .
Folks begin arriving at 5:30 PM. Appetizers are set out to share,
with a "hat" for donations to cover the cost. Servers are available
to take drink orders and meal orders.
By 6 PM, people should be contentedly munching and the talk begins.
The format is a 20 (+ or -) minute presentation, a short break for replenishing
drinks and snacks, and the rest of the hour for questions and discussion.
Dec.12 -- Dr.Kathryn V. Holmes, Ph.D, Dept. of Microbiology, UCHSC,
spoke to a large and enthusiastic audience on "Viral Pandemics: Where do
they come from, and how do they end?"
Jan 16 -- Dr. Jeffry Mitton, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, CU
Boulder spoke.
Feb 13 -- Dr. Shelly Miller, Mechanical Engineering, CU Boulder
spoke on indoor air pollution: "Why buy Ozone Generators? - Answers to
questions you've been gasping to ask."
May 15 --Jeffrey Zax told us about "The Economics of Happiness."
COMING UP AT THE CAFE:
June 19 --Greg Holland on hurricanes.
____________________________________________________________________________
The University of Colorado chapter represents a merger
with former
chapters at IBM and at
the federal research laboratories in Boulder. We enjoy a diverse
membership of practical and academic scientists and we encourage all
interested persons to attend our meetings.
For further information, contact the President of
our chapter, Carol Kearns (address, phone, and e-mail at the end of this
page).
Here are lunchtime MEETINGS: dates, places, and speakers for
2006 fall. To receive an e-mail reminder, sent out about a week before
each event, contact David Kassoy (see end of page).
^^Security for events at NOAA --
Presentations begin at 12:15PM in DSRC GC402 in the Skaggs
Building of NOAA. You are welcome to join other Sigma Xi members and
friends for lunch at 11:30AM. The cafeteria on the ground floor is
available for your use. The NOAA facility is a secured space. In order
to enter the federal property on S. Broadway, your name MUST be on an
attendance list. Please indicate to Zdenka Smith that you plan to
attend by calling her at 303 497-3051 or sending an e-mail message to:
Zdenka.Smith @noaa.gov.
Please respond even if you are uncertain about
attending, so that your name is on the attendance list. There is only
one entrance to the federal facility just south of the traffic light at
27 St. and Broadway. You will have to identify yourself to the security
personnel at the entrance building. Then, ask for directions to the
Skaggs building parking lot on the west side of the Skaggs Building.
Please enter through the main entrance (facing west into the lower
parking lot). You will have to be checked in by the security person at
vthe desk in the entry lobby. Foreign nationals should call Zdenka
Smith at the number above for special instructions.
LUNCH MEETINGS:
Tuesday, Oct.3, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, NOAA:
"Predicting Climate Change".
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11:30, University Memorial Center Room 245 (UCB)) --
Dr.Jean Hertzberg Mechanical Engineering: "Beautiful Physics
from Ordinary Fluids"
Tuesday, Dec.5, 11:30 at the NCAR Foothills Laboratory __ Dr. Annick
Poquet NCAR, "The Generation of Magnetic Fields through Turbulent
Motions".
Tuesday, 6 February, at the Skaggs Building(NOAA) -- Dr. Allison (Pete)
Palmer will speak on "The Importance of Holistic Science in the 21st
Century" and will show a video on local evidence of the age of the
Earth.
Tuesday, 6 March, at the UMC(UCB) -- Prof. Jack Burns, Astrophysical and
Planetary Sciences, UCB, will
speak on "Astronomy from the Moon". NOTE: Prof. Burns's presentation
will begin at 12:45 PM
Tuesday, 3 April, at the NCAR Foothills Laboratory -- Dr. John Latham
spoke on "Altering Cloud Patterns over the Oceans."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At our AWARDS RECEPTION on April 19, Prof Frank Kreith
spoke on "A Sustainable Transportation System: Politics and Technology".
We welcomed five new members:
Dr. Kevin S.G. Heng, Supernova remnants, gamma-ray bursts & the
physics of shocks;
Dr. Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski, Palynology & Public Health;
Dr. Diana Oliveras, Conservation of pollinators;
Dr. Darin Toohey, Atmospheric measurments of aerosols and trace gases;
Dr. Rui Wang, Artificial hearts and circulatory components.
We honored five teachers of science and mathematics in Boulder Valley
high schools:
Ben Boyer of Boulder High School;
Kay Davidson of Broomfield High School;
Ron Haddad of Centaurus High School(again);
Kathy Vance of Arapahoe Ridge High School;
Reid Walker of Monarch High School.
We recognized the excellence of seven high-school students:
Joseph Baum of Boulder High School;
Domenico DiMarco of Centaurus HighShool;
Eric Ellison of New Vista High School;
Kevin Fiedler of Broomfield High School;
Adam Richmond of Monarch High School;
Thomas Waggoner of Fairview High School;
Hannah Walters of Nederland High School;
HISTORY
2006-2007 Cafe Scientifiqe
Oct.10 -- Dr. Douglas S. Robertson, NOAA and Geological Sciences, CU:
"The Computer Revolution I: Why the Invention of the Computer Marks the
Beginning of Civilization"
2006 Nov.14 Dr. Fran Bagenal on Planets
2006-2007 Noon Meetings
2005-2006
2005 October 4 at Skaggs Research Center, Room GC402B. Prof.
Frank Barnes, Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept, University of
Colorado, Boulder: "Some Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields on
Chemotaxic Movement of White Blood Cells." These ongoing
studies by Prof. Barnes and his students are designed to reveal any
physiological influence of electromagnetic fields.
2005 October 25 5:30PM Cafe Scientifique at BJ's Brewery. Professor
Dennis van Gervin
presented and spoke on Nubian mummies. This inauguaral Cafe Scientifique
was a great success, with estimated attendance of more than 100 people.
2005 November 1 at the NCAR Foothills Laboratory.
Prof. Scott Palo of the Aerospace Engineering Dept., University of
Colorado, Boulder: "Meteors, Winds, Sodium, and Tides: What is the
Connection?" Observations and statistical analysis of large samples of
small meteors can be used to study physical characteristics of the
atmosphere.
2005 Nov 15 5:30PM: Cafe Scientifique at BJ's Brewery, 1100 block on the
Pearl Street Mall. Speaker at 6: Dr. Dobraslav Znidarcic, Civil
Engineering Dept, University of Colorado, Boulder, "The Levees of New
Orleans: Engineering and Politics".
All are welcome: please come experience this interesting mix of
science and collegiality.
2005 December 6, 12:15 at University Memorial Center, Room 415-417.
Prof. Jane Menken, Director of the Institute for Behavioral Science and
Professor of Sociology : "Fertility in Developing Countries:
Insights from Mathematical and Statistical Models of the Reproductive
Process".
No catered lunch this time: enjoy an early lunch of your
choice in the UMC with friends and colleagues. Table space can easily be
found before 11:30AM.
2005 December 13 Dr. Roger Pielke Sr: Insights into Climate Change and
Policy
2006 January 24 Cafe Scientifique Dr. David O. Norris: Environental
Estrogens: Sex, Lies, and Water Supplies.
2006 February 7 at NOAA-NBS:Skaggs GB124 Marc Beckoff, Animal Passions
and Beastly Virtues.
"Asteroid Impacts"
2006 March 7 at NCAR Foothills Lab. Kathleen Tierney of the National
Hazards Laboratory in Golden spoke on the social impact of hurricane
Katrina.
2006 April 4 at University Memorial Center: Dr. Erica Dawson, Research
Associate, Rowlen Lab, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, spoke
on "FluChip: A
DiagnostComing up: Sept.12 -- Dr. Jeffrey Mitton, Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology, will speak about plans for a laboratory 7,000 feet below ground
Microarray for Influenza".
2006 April 11 Cafe Scientifique: John Pape, Epidemiologist, Colorado Department
of Publc Health & Environment, spoke on "What's Waiting in the Woods" -- a talk
about flu pandemics and asian flu.
2006 April 17 The Spring Recognition Reception was held in the Discovery Learning
Center atrium and lecture hall. Prof. Talat Shahnaz Rahman, distinguished
Professor of Physics, Kansas State University, and a Sigma Xi Distinguihed Lecturer
for 2006, spoke on "Science at the Nanoscale: Promising Facts or Fiction?"
Prof. Michael Eisenberg and associates opened the Crafts Technology laoratory for
an eye-opening tour and demonstrations of educational techniques.
Student awards were presented to Amit Halevi of Fairview High School (nominated
by Cameron Wickham) and to Gabriel Sachter-Smith of Nederland High School.
The teacher award went to Stephanie Weber.
New members were recognized: Glenn Blauvelt and Susan Hendrix.
2006 May 9 Cafe Scientifique Dr. Matt Young, Physics Department, Colorado School
of Mines, spoke on "Why (and how) Intelligent Design Fails".
June 13 Cafe Scientifique Dr. Darin Toohey Keeping an Eye on the Space
Shuttle: what a little foam can do.
HISTORY (2004-2005)
October 12 (note SECOND Tuesday) UMC 245. Prof. Frank Kreith, Mechanical
Engineering, CU spoke
on "The Hydrogen Economy--Promise and Reality".
November 2, NOAA,Skaggs Research Ctr, Rm. GB124 (must RSVP)
Prof.
Shelly Miller of Mechanical Engineering, CU, "Do Air Cleaners Really Work?".
(View the abstract at http://ucsub.colorado.edu/~zheng. Click on
"Abstract" by Prof. Shelly Miller.)
December 14 (note SECOND Tuesday) UMC 245, Prof.Roger Pielke, CIRES, CU
spoke on "Science Policy Assessment and Research on Climate".
February 1 -- Prof. Patrick Weidman, Mechanical Engineering Department,
University of Colorado, Boulder: "Model Equations for the Eiffel Tower
Profile: Historical Perspective and New Results." Skaggs Research Center,
Rm. GC402B, located at the NIST-NOAA facility 325 Broadway.
March 1 -- Bob Harriss, NCAR. At NCAR Foothills Laboratory: "Asymmetric Conflict".
April 12 -- Matt Young, "Intelligent Design". UMC247.
RECEPTION 2005 APRIL 22
Our Annual Award Reception began at 7:30PM on Friday, 22 April,
2005, in the Discovery Learning Center (DLC) of the College of
Engineering and Applied Science on the UCB campus.
Chapter President Michael Breed introduced
Dr. Susan Solomon, who presented "Sleuthing with Science: the Coldest
March of Robert Falcon Scott in the Antarctic".
Dr. Solomon is a Senior Scientist in the NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory in
Boulder
and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
The Chapter recognized several individuals in the community for helping to
prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers, as well as high-school
students who have excelled in the study of science, mathematics and technology.
Chapter Vice President David Kassoy presented certificates and awards to
these accomplished individuals:
teacher Abby Scott and student Malcolm Young of Centaurus High;
teacher Alberto Real and student Jon H. Monserud of Nederland High.
The science-support award went to Christopher B. Schenk of the
computer-science department at the University of Colorado for setting up an
efficient undergraduate computing laboratory with the help of
undergraduate apprentices.
HISTORY (2003-2004)
April 6 -- Dr. John Firor, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR),
talked about climate science and public response..
April 21, 2004 was the date of the annual meeting, with a reception at 7 p.m.
in the Cires Atrium,
followed at 7:30 p.m. by the awards presentation and the lecture on The Wright
Brothers' Gliders and Flyer, 1900-1903 by Ray Hauser and Consuelo Hauser.
The chapter recognized Professor Roy Garstang's 19 years of service as
Chapter Secretary with a gift in his name to Sigma Xi's building fund.
Awardees were:
Yiming Wang of Boulder High School and Kenji Yoshida of Fairview High School
for excellence in science studies;
Benjamin Boyer of Boulder High School and Ronald Haddad of
Centaurus High School for excellence in science teaching;
Suzanne Larsen of University of Colorado Libraries
for scientific research support.
Here is Suzanne Larsen's citation:
Bibliographer, Director, Teacher, Facilitator, Evaluator, Advisor, and
Community Resource, Suzanne Larsen has enriched the University of Colorado
science community for sixteen years. She shares her bibliographic
expertise with scholars and students, in the classroom, and individually.
Her "mission" is to guide students beyond Google to the scholarly
databases and resources provided by the University Libraries and arm them
with the skills needed to do their research effectively. She has recently
become the Acting Faculty Director of Lester Math/Physics Library in
addition to her duties as Director of the Jerry Crail Johnson Earth
Sciences and Map Library. She has served on departmental committees in
both the Libraries and Geological Sciences, as well
as on campus, system and state committees and taskforces. She is active
in the Geoscience Information Society and currently serves on the Advisory
Committee for GeoRef, the primary database in the geosciences. She is the
chair of the Collections Committee for the Digital Library for Earth
System Education, an NSF funded digital library initiative. We present
this year’s support award to Suzanne Larsen, an esteemed companion in
zealous research.
.
To learn more about the history, goals, and activity of the Society of
Sigma Xi, go to
the national home page.
Go back to the index to select pages for earlier years.
University of Colorado Chapter Officers:
Secretary: Clifton Minter, Space Environment Center, NOAA, P.O.Box 3618,
Boulder CO 80307-3618; phone: 303-497-3051; fax: 303-497-4006
President: Carol Ann Kearns Ph.D., Baker Residential Academic Program and
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, CU Boulder; 303-492-4973..
Emeritus President: Prof. Michael Breed, Dept. of Environmental,
Population and
Organismic Biology, Campus Box 334, University of Colorado, Boulder CO
80309-0334, phone: 303-492-7683
Vice-President: David Kassoy, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College
of
Engineering and Applied Science, Campus Box 427, University of
Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0427; phone 303-492-6066, fax 303-492-3498.
Treasurer: Constance B. Sawyer, 850 20th St., #705, Boulder CO80302-7749;
phone: 303-447-2250.
Emeritus Secretary: Roy H. Garstang, JILA, Campus Box 440,
University of Colorado, Boulder,CO 80309-0440; phone: 303-492-7795.
Emeritus President: Zdenka Smith, Space Environment Center, NOAA, 325
Broadway, Boulder CO 80302; phone 303-497-3473
e-mail to Secretary Cliff Minter:
Cliff.Minter@noaa.gov
e-mail to President Carol Kearns:
Carol.A.Kearns@colorado.edu
e-mail to President Emeritus Michael Breed:
michael.breed@colorado.edu
e-mail to Vice-President David Kassoy:
David.Kassoy@colorado.edu
e-mail to Treasurer (also web-page) Constance Sawyer:
sawyer@colorado.edu
e-mail to Secretary Emeritus Roy Garstang:
garstang@earthlink.net
e-mail to Past President Zdenka Smith:
Zdenka.Smith@noaa.gov
e-mail to Treasurer emeritus E. K. Smith:
ernest.smith@cu.colorado.edu
