WCSU Chapter of Sigma Xi : The Scientific Research Society

Sigma Xi is the honor society of research scientists and engineers. It is an international multidisciplinary group whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise, reward excellence in scientific research and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields.

For more information, please visit https://www.sigmaxi.org/

Awards:

2026 NE Regional Research Conference Research Awards

Postdocs & Professionals

Hasan T. Arslan & Shahab Band

Bridging Criminal Justice and Computer Science: The S.H.O.T. AI Database on Officer-Involved Shootings

Graduate Student

Tianrui Zhua, Alsu Ibrahimlib, Christopher Lawrence De Jesusc, Thomas A. Neubertc, Sirojiddin J.Mirzaakhmedovd, Husniddin Rakhmonovd, Shujing Wange, Timothy Bromagef

Metabolomics reveals diet and health profiles of steppe pastoralists along the ancient Silk Road

Disciplinary Awards: Computer Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Math

Phillip Sgobba*, Emma Maselli*, Trent Brown*, Issac Macwan, Krishna Dixit

Characterization of Bacteriorhodopsin-based Thin Films

Disciplinary Awards: Behavioral Sciences

Benjamin Durisile, David Mabruki, & Lorenz S. Neuwirth, Ph.D.

The Effects of Neurodevelopmental Lead Exposure on Skull Formation, Fontanelles Morphology, and XRF-Elemental Analyses

Disciplinary Awards: Life Sciences

1st Place:

Sedra M. Alasadi, Kayla R. Tracy, and Torrance C. Hanley

Interspecific variation in Daphnia’s responses to biocide exposure

2nd Place:

Karla Mendez Vasquez*, Milo Duch*, Jacob Calle, Mohammad Elawa, Jacob Lee, Wilmer Montero, Christa Piccorelli, Jo-Elle Rodriguez, Sherry Zhumi, Joshua Cordeira

The Progressive Digging task: a naturalistic assay of effort-based food motivation in mice

3rd Place:

Enamul Ahsan & Fernando Nieto-Fernandez, PhD

Advancing Phage Structural Biology Through High-Resolution Resin Printing

Disciplinary Awards: Physical Sciences

1st Place:

Tanner Poissant* and Nicholas J. Greco

Synthesis of JAK3 Inhibitors as Candidates for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

2nd Place:

Annabelle Bork*, Dr. Theodora Pinou

Marine Invertebrate Discoveries on Juvenile Sea Turtles of the Western Atlantic

3rd Place:

Yashfa Amer*, Randeeno Burrell*, Luciana Freire*, Thuraya Almontaser, Franchesca De La Rosa, Tahis Munoz, Dana DeMoninicis, Lorenzo Salegna, Pamela K. Kerrigan, Ph.D.

Integration of tetratolylporphyrin (TTP) into liposome carriers for administration to breast cancer cells

High School Student Research

1st Place:

Denis Sovjani, Dilan Reyes, Oyekolapo Babalola, and Shaharyar Nawaz

The Effects of Metallic Ions on Brine Shrimp

2nd Place:

Ange Guillaume

Analyzing the toxicity of ferrous sulfate on Artemia salina survivorship rate

3rd Place:

Anaya Hepburn*1,3, Anaiah St. Charles*1,3, Gicelle Villarreal Mora*2,3, Angelina Ocando2,3, and Leedsay JeanFelix2,3

How Do Excess Phosphates Affect the Diversity of Aquatic Microbiomes?

Sigma Xi Leadership Award

Dr. Pamela Kerrigan

Assistant Dean of the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of Chemistry

2025 – 26 Rudy Ruggles Research Award Winners

Dr. Matthew Tracey & Dr. Jill Henning

Preparation and Biological Evaluation of Amide-Containing Quorum Sensing Inhibitors

The proposal was selected for its interdisciplinary breadth in advancing chemical synthesis and infectious disease research against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. New therapeutics that can target quorum sensing by using amidation and the subsequent biological activity testing fits the spirit of the Rudy Ruggles Award that STEM innovation is stronger when it includes expertise from diverse disciplines.

Previous Winners

2025 Sigma Xi Awards

WCSU Sigma Xi Chapter member Rudy Ruggles received the 2025 Evan Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service to Sigma Xi and its mission: https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/prizes-awards/ferguson-award/award-winner/rudy-ruggles

Previous Events:

The 2026 Sigma Xi Northeast Regional Research Conference (Click here for details)

One Day In-Person Event – Saturday April 18, 2026

Join us for a celebration of interdisciplinary research and learning opportunities. The event will be hosted by the WCSU Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society for interdisciplinary research in the sciences and engineering. This conference provides an opportunity for students and professionals in the Northeastern US to engage in conversation about study and research opportunities and to network with other Sigma Xi researchers from across the Northeastern US.

WCSU Sigma Xi Fall Meet and Greet (9/24/2025)

When: September 24th, 2025, at 4:00PM

Where: Science Building Room 321, Chemistry Department Conference Room
WCSU – Midtown Campus, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810

Click here to view flyer

New STEM Programs at Western Connecticut State University