{"id":24,"date":"2017-09-19T16:36:26","date_gmt":"2017-09-19T16:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/sigma-xi\/default-2\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T00:36:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T00:36:10","slug":"default-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/sigma-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"WCSU Chapter of Sigma Xi : The Scientific Research Society"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Events<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sigma Xi is the honor society of research scientists and engineers. It is an international multidisciplinary\u00a0group whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise, reward excellence in\u00a0scientific research and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For more information, please visit https:\/\/www.sigmaxi.org\/<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Awards:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2026 NE Regional Research Conference Research Awards<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Postdocs & Professionals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hasan T. Arslan & Shahab Band<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bridging Criminal Justice and Computer Science: The S.H.O.T. AI Database on Officer-Involved Shootings<\/em><\/p>\n

Graduate Student<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tianrui Zhua, Alsu Ibrahimlib, Christopher Lawrence De Jesusc, Thomas A. Neubertc, Sirojiddin J.Mirzaakhmedovd, Husniddin Rakhmonovd, Shujing Wange, Timothy Bromagef<\/strong><\/p>\n

Metabolomics reveals diet and health profiles of steppe pastoralists along the ancient Silk Road<\/em><\/p>\n

Disciplinary Awards: Computer Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Math<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Phillip Sgobba*, Emma Maselli*, Trent Brown*, Issac Macwan, Krishna Dixit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Characterization of Bacteriorhodopsin-based Thin Films<\/em><\/p>\n

Disciplinary Awards: Behavioral Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Benjamin Durisile, David Mabruki, & Lorenz S. Neuwirth, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Effects of Neurodevelopmental Lead Exposure on Skull Formation, Fontanelles Morphology, and XRF-Elemental Analyses<\/em><\/p>\n

Disciplinary Awards: Life Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1st Place:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sedra M. Alasadi, Kayla R. Tracy, and Torrance C. Hanley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Interspecific variation in Daphnia\u2019s responses to biocide exposure<\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Karla Mendez Vasquez*, Milo Duch*, Jacob Calle, Mohammad Elawa, Jacob Lee, Wilmer Montero, Christa Piccorelli, Jo-Elle Rodriguez, Sherry Zhumi, Joshua Cordeira<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Progressive Digging task: a naturalistic assay of effort-based food motivation in mice<\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Enamul Ahsan & Fernando Nieto-Fernandez, PhD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Advancing Phage Structural Biology Through High-Resolution Resin Printing<\/em><\/p>\n

Disciplinary Awards: Physical Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1st Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tanner Poissant* and Nicholas J. Greco<\/strong><\/p>\n

Synthesis of JAK3 Inhibitors as Candidates for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Annabelle Bork*, Dr. Theodora Pinou<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marine Invertebrate Discoveries on Juvenile Sea Turtles of the Western Atlantic<\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Yashfa Amer*, Randeeno Burrell*, Luciana Freire*, Thuraya Almontaser, Franchesca De La Rosa, Tahis Munoz, Dana DeMoninicis, Lorenzo Salegna, Pamela K. Kerrigan, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Integration of tetratolylporphyrin (TTP) into liposome carriers for administration to breast cancer cells<\/em><\/p>\n

High School Student Research <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1st Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Denis Sovjani, Dilan Reyes, Oyekolapo Babalola, and Shaharyar Nawaz<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Effects of Metallic Ions on Brine Shrimp<\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ange Guillaume<\/strong><\/p>\n

Analyzing the toxicity of ferrous sulfate on Artemia salina survivorship rate<\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Place:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Anaya Hepburn*1,3, Anaiah St. Charles*1,3, Gicelle Villarreal Mora*2,3, Angelina Ocando2,3, and Leedsay JeanFelix2,3<\/strong><\/p>\n

How Do Excess Phosphates Affect the Diversity of Aquatic Microbiomes?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sigma Xi Leadership Award <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Pamela Kerrigan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Assistant Dean of the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of Chemistry<\/em><\/p>\n

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2025 – 26 Rudy Ruggles Research Award Winners<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Matthew Tracey & Dr. Jill Henning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Preparation and Biological Evaluation of Amide-Containing Quorum Sensing Inhibitors<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Previous Winners<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2025 Sigma Xi Awards<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

WCSU Sigma Xi Chapter member Rudy Ruggles received the\u00a02025 Evan Ferguson Award<\/a>\u00a0for Outstanding Service to Sigma Xi and its mission: <\/strong><\/span>https:\/\/www.sigmaxi.org\/programs\/prizes-awards\/ferguson-award\/award-winner\/rudy-ruggles<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

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Previous Events:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The 2026 Sigma Xi Northeast Regional Research Conference (Click here for details)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

One Day In-Person Event – Saturday April 18, 2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Join us for a celebration of interdisciplinary research and learning opportunities.\u00a0 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. \u00a0This 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.<\/p>\n

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WCSU Sigma Xi Fall Meet and Greet (9\/24\/2025)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When: September 24th, 2025, at 4:00PM <\/strong><\/p>\n

Where: Science Building Room 321, Chemistry Department Conference Room<\/strong>
\nWCSU – Midtown Campus, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810<\/p>\n

Click here to view flyer<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

New STEM Programs at Western Connecticut State University<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n