From Radiation to Resolutions: Passing the Sigma Pi Sigma Baton

This fall, Andrew Zeidell, the past assistant director of Sigma Pi Sigma, joins the 51st class of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program.
Fellows are chosen from a select group of doctoral-level scientists and highly experienced masters-level engineers to engage in a one-year immersive educational opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the public policy arena while leveraging their expertise to help confront major societal issues in the US government.

Among the 276 highly trained STEM professionals selected, Zeidell will spend a year serving at the National Science Foundation’s National Science Board Office. Zeidell has been a member of Sigma Pi Sigma since 2014, when he was inducted at the Appalachian State University chapter in Boone, North Carolina. He joined the staff of Sigma Pi Sigma in 2021 after earning a PhD in physics and holding positions at the Willis Observatory and Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Sigma Pi Sigma has long engaged in science policy issues in the United States¹ and encouraged its members to be science advocates. Zeidell joins a long list of Sigma Pi Sigma members who have influenced science policy, including many whose work has been profiled in Radiations, the SPS Observer, and at Physics Congresses.

During his term as assistant director, Zeidell refined Sigma Pi Sigma’s approach to chapter and member engagement and set forth policies and strategies for the future. Additionally, he unearthed and preserved key pieces of the society’s lost history, adding nearly 50 honorary members back to the roll whose names were previously lost to time.

Zeidell’s efforts have better positioned the society to serve its members, heighten public awareness of Sigma Pi Sigma, and fulfill its mission. He will continue to be active with Sigma Pi Sigma and the Society of Physics Students, contributing through volunteer roles. If you want to stay updated on Zeidell’s adventures, you can find him on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).

References

2. For some examples of how Sigma Pi Sigma has engaged in science policy, see “Sigma Pi Sigma: A Departmental Legacy of Fellowship, Part 5" in the Spring 2022 issue of Radiations, sigmapisigma.org/sigmapisigma/radiations/spring/2022 .

Congratulations to the Newest Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter!

Troy University

Chapter #590
Founded April 30th, 2023Founding members: Justin Bankert, Martin Bouldo, Qurat Ijaz, Colin Jones, Ashik Kannan, Ernest Lee, Govind Menon, Justin Robinson, James Sanders, Melissa Strobel.