Sigma Xi chapter honored

The Rice University-Texas Medical Center Chapter of Sigma Xi, the honor society of research scientists and engineers, has been honored by its parent organization as one of eight chapters to receive this year’s Certificate of Excellence.

The certificate recognizes efforts by the local chapter, one of 523 worldwide, to address the organization’s primary mission to foster integrity in science and engineering and promote education, policy and the public understanding of science. Sigma Xi has 60,000 members, including nearly 200 Nobel Prize laureates.

The Rice-TMC chapter, which has 265 members, supports educational outreach (including the Houston Science/Engineering Fair, BOOST and FIRST robotic competitions), public engagement through a Science Cafe, and programs for members with lecture series and special field trips. The chapter provides educational programs about patient safety at medical institutions and its members serve as judges at high school science and engineering fairs.