Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax; 713/743-8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2004

Contact: Lisa Merkl
713/743-8192 (office)
713/605-1757 (pager)

HOUSTON, March 31, 2004 – Few college students confront the challenges of space exploration, delve into the mysteries of improving medical care or tackle the engineering techniques needed to strengthen manmade structures.

But the best student research at UH – projects that cover these issues and more – will be showcased Thursday, April 1, when 85 entrants exhibit their work during Sigma Xi Research Day. Student researchers will be on hand during the judging process from 10 to 11:45 a.m. in Waldorf Rooms C and D at the Hilton University of Houston Hotel.

Research efforts and student posters include projects in the categories of computer/computational sciences and mathematics, engineering, life sciences, social sciences and physical sciences.

This year’s student event will precede UH’s 5th annual Research and Scholarship Day, with all student research posters remaining on display Friday, April 2, so they can be viewed by the campus community and distinguished visitors during the grand faculty event.

“Our students receive superb research training under the close guidance and leadership of faculty members who are very active, themselves, in their own research endeavors,” said Laura Vailas, assistant dean for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and an officer of UH’s Sigma Xi chapter. “Giving them the chance to display their projects alongside their mentors this year to a wider audience base that includes key industry leaders is an extra bonus.”

In keeping with Sigma Xi’s mission to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and promote the public’s understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition, the Sigma Xi Research Day gives students a forum to showcase their work and have it recognized by a diverse audience of scholarly judges and business professionals. Any student at UH who is conducting scientific research under the direction of a UH faculty member was permitted to enter a poster. From this pool of students will emerge tomorrow’s scientific leaders.

Five undergraduate poster awards of $100 each and five graduate student poster awards of $200 each will be given. Additionally, the work of three graduate students will be recognized with awards of $300 each, with these winners being nominated as associate members of Sigma Xi, entitling them to their first year’s dues paid by the chapter. Each year the UH chapter of Sigma Xi also honors a prominent scientist or engineer at the university with the Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award that carries a $2,000 prize. The winner of this prestigious award will also be announced.

Sigma Xi is the national research honor society of scientists and engineers that recognizes scientific achievement. It is a diverse, chapter-based organization dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering through outstanding programs and services delivered in a collegial and supportive environment.

There are more than 500 Sigma Xi chapters nationwide, one of which is at UH.

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

For more information about Sigma Xi, visit http://www.uh.edu/nsm/sigmaxi

For more information about UH, visit the university’s Newsroom at http://www.uh.edu/newsroom

To receive UH science news via e-mail, visit http://www.uh.edu/admin/media/sciencelist.html

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.