FDA Chapter of Sigma XI
The Scientific Research Society
Newsletter -- December 12, 2003
November Sigma Xi Lecture
Dr. Theodore Rockwell, Distinguished Sigma Xi Lecturer, presented a lecture: "Facts and Myths about Ionizing Radiation and Nuclear Technology" On November 7 at the Wiley Building Auditorium, CFSAN, College Park, Maryland
Everyone enjoyed the snacks, drinks, greeting old friends prior to the commencement of the meeting and lecture in November. The multidisciplinary audience included not only people from FDA, but also from University of Maryland, the DC Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, USDA, and the Bureau of Customs to name a few.
New Sigma Xi members were formally introduced by Chapter President, Paddy Wiesenfeld. This year we have seven new members and eight others who transferred their membership to our Chapter. The inductees received their Sigma Xi membership certificates.
A brief description of the accomplishment of each new member is described below:
- Malgorzata Garcja Mikolajczk is a CBER biologist and now an associate member of Sigma Xi. She received her degrees from Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine. Ms. Mikolajczyk has expertise in both immunology and microbiology. She has publications using vaccinia viruses, experimental endotoxemia, Bartonella henselae in cats, measurement of interferon gamma in cattle and more. Garcja's current work involves counterorrism research including examination of antibodies to vaccinia virus antigens in human polyclonal antibody preparations using western blot analysis. She also reviews supplements to exiting Biologics License Applications (BLA) and aids in review new BLA. Her poster won 3rd place in the most recent FDA Science Forum.
- Robin Y. Woo, Ph.D. is a CFSAN Senior Science Policy Analyst and received a full Sigma Xi Membership. Dr. Woo has a MBA from the University of California and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She has a broad range of research and policy experience in academia and government. Before coming to FDA she was the Director of the Ceres Forum, Center for Food and Nutrition Policy. She has publications in risk assessment, plant biotechnology and regulation of epidermal growth factor in various plasma membrane systems just to name a few. Dr. Woo is on the Board of Directors for the Graduate Women in Science. Dr. Woo is currently Senior Policy Analyst in the International Technical Assistance Program at CFSAN.
- Margaret E. K. Kraeling is a research Biologist in CFSAN and received a full Sigma Xi membership. Margaret received degrees in biological sciences from Northern Kentucky University and in Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery Systems from University of Cincinnati. Margaret has expertise in dermal toxicology and uses these techniques in testing cosmetic ingredients. She works with animals (hairless guinea pigs and mice, the fuzzy rat) and human skin. She assesses the absorption, adsorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetics of compounds such as trinitrobenzene, alpha hydroxy acids, benzocaine, diethanolamine, and acrylamide to name a few. In addition, Margaret reviews color additive petitions.
- Yoshiyuki Tokiwa is a research chemist in CFSAN and received a full membership into Sigma Xi. Dr. Tokiwa received in BS and MS from Kitasato University and his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo. In Japan, Dr. Tokiwa conducted research in natural products chemistry/biochemistry, analytical chemistry and toxicology in order to develop new diagnostic methods based on Carbon 13 - NMR and LC-MS. He currently develops methods/ validation for botanical dietary supplements.
- Douglas P. Chadwick is a research biologist in CDER and received a full Sigma Xi membership. Doug received his degree from University of Arizona. He has worked at FDA in both CBER and CDER. Doug is an experienced researcher in animal models (from rats to flying squirrels, monkeys, and snakes) used in the evaluation of drugs and drug interactions, anticancer agents, myocardial agents, hepatitis and HIV virus testing. Doug has a wealth of knowledge and graciously shares it with other colleagues. He has contributed significantly to the field of toxicology and pharmacology. Doug is also active in our Chapters high school regional science fairs.
- Angela R. Eppler is a research pharmacologist staff fellow at CFSAN and received an Associate Sigma Xi membership. Angela received her BS in Chemistry from North Dakota State University and is a Ph.D. candidate from the University of Cincinnati in pharmaceutical sciences. Angela is working on her dissertation research. Angela research is in the area of skin absorption and metabolism. Currently she is investigating arachidonic acid which is used as a surfactant /emulsifier in some cosmetics.
Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer
Dr. Theodore Rockwell received his BS and MS degrees in chemical engineering from Princeton University and his DcS from TriState University. In the Y-12 plant of the Manhattan Project (atom bomb) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Dr. Rockwell was a member of the elite 7-man "Tiger Team" and shortly afterward became Head of the Reactor Shielding Engineering program. At Oak Ridge, he created new shield materials and full-scale installation procedures for nuclear reactors. As director of the Naval Reactors Program, he developed technology for reactor coolants, such as liquid metals and pressured water. Dr. Rockwell became the Technical Director for the Naval Reactors Program and was responsible to Admiral Hyman Rickover for radiation and reactor safety, training and standards. He holds the patent for "Boral" a machinable aluminum/boron carbide matrix neutron shield. His manual on Reactor Shielding Design is a widely used standard text. Dr. Rockwell is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, the National Academy of Engineering and founding officer of the engineering firm MPR Associates and of Radiation, Science and Health, Inc. The title of his talk was "Facts and Myths about Ionizing Radiation and Nuclear Technology". The talk stimulated lots of discussion. It was good to have his historical prospective about ionizing radiation. A few bullets from his talk are as follows:
- Topics included everything from radon, to storage and transport of spent nuclear materials, to the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, dirty bombs and medical ionization and waste.
- Dr. Rockwell said that shipping of spent fuel casts posed no significant risk and that they were nearly indestructible by collision, explosion or fire.
- He also said that nuclear plants produce less than a millionth of the volume of waste compared to an equivalent coal - fired plant.
- Dr. Rockwell also said that radon levels in our homes do not pose a health hazard. This was disputed by some members of the audience.
- Dr. Rockwell also stated that little radioactivity was released into the air from either the Three Mile Island or Chernobyl accidents and that which was released was not respirable very long. He said that in the Chernobyl accident only 30 people inside the plant died. In the general public population, thyroid nodules were found in 1800 children, but the appearance of the nodules did not correlate with the dose or radiation.
- Dr. Rockwell stated that the radioactivity in dirty bombs is unlikely to seriously hurt anyone. People not injured by the conventional explosions could walk away. Removal of their clothing and a shower would eliminate any possible contamination.
- Dr. Rockwell also stated that radiation posed less of a hazard to human health than chemical or biological toxins. Some members of the audience were unconvinced about this statement. Neither issue is that simple. Radiation can decay, but chemical toxins can also be neutralized.
If you would like to discuss some of these issues or other related topics contact Dr. Rockwell at tedrock@starpower.net
Other News from National - Sigma Xi
- National Headquarters - has a new address. As of December 1, Sigma Xi will have moved into their new building. The address is 3106 East NC Hwy 54, Research Triangle NC. Telephones will be temporarily out of service on Wednesday Nov 26.
- Sally Ride Toy challenge. Sigma Xi is co-sponsor of middle - school kids program in toy design. If our chapter is interested in participating in the program, we must register by Jan 30.
- Sigma Xi has also established a mentoring by E-mail program. This program is between scientists & engineers with undergraduate and graduate students.
- Sigma Xi Annual National Meeting. The Sigma Xi annual meeting was held on November 12-16, 2003 in Los Angeles California at the Hyatt Regency Macy's Plaza. The theme of this year's forum was "Science and Engineering: Keys to Understanding".
- Membership dues will be raised as of July 1, 2004 to as follows: Regular/Associate $57.00 (from $55.00); Student $25.00; Emeritus $28.50; Initiation /Promotion Fee $10.00. This is the first increase in dues in over ten years.
- Proposed by-laws to be amended in Bylaw III, Section 6A (a) that the Committee on Audit Review will be composed of three suitably qualified members who shall serve three-year terms and again in Bylaw III, Sections 6A(a) that the elected members of the Committee on Finances shall be elected for up to two consecutive three-year terms, like the Board of Directors. For more details refer to e-mail sent on Friday November 21, 2003 or go to Sigma Xi web-site.
Chapter News & events
- The FDA Chapter of Sigma Xi will again be responsible for the poster session associated with the FDA Science Forum. The theme for 10th Annual FDA Science Forum is "FDA Science: Rising to the Challenges in our Changing World". It will be held on May 18-19, 2004 at the Washington Convention Center, Mount Vernon Place, Washington D.C.
- 2004 Regional Science Fairs. Jeffrey Yourick has agreed to be the FDA Chapter of Sigma Xi regional science fair chairman. Please try to set aside four hours on one weekend in March and April to participate in judging one of the local science fairs.
- Please be thinking about election of officers. Tom Collins is the current President-elect and our Treasurer. In June 2004 he will become the FDA Chapter President and serve a two year term. We need to think about who should be considered for President - elect, treasurer, and secretary. Please send your nominations to me: pwiesenf@cfsan.fda.gov or to Fred Fry: frf@cfsan.fda.gov
- If you have ideas for program speakers and /or topics for future programs, please send them to me or Fred Fry.
- New transfer to our Chapter include: Donald Obenhuber (CDER). New associate member nominated by our Chapter is Nazmul Hassan (NY district Lab).
I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season. See you next year.
Respectively submitted by: Paddy Wiesenfeld, President of the FDA Chapter of Sigma Xi.
Remember for information about the national organization go to:
http://www.sigmaxi.org
For Chapter updates and other information go to our Chapter website:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sxfda.html
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Last updated on 2003-DEC-16 by frf