Dr. Richard E. Orville, professor of Atmospheric Sciences in the College of Geosciences, has been selected by the Texas A&M University Chapter of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, to receive their Distinguished Scientist Award for 2008. Dr. Orville will receive the award at Sigma Xi’s annual banquet on Friday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

Orville is one of the world’s foremost experts on lightning. His research contributions include advances in the physics of lightning, such as developing and implementing the National Lightning Detection Network. Among Orville’s important spectroscopic studies was the discovery of an emission that can be used to detect lightning optically in the daytime, as well as at night, which has provided an unprecedented and flawless view of the distribution of lightning throughout the global Tropics. Orville is currently working with students on how human activities may influence electrical activities during a thunderstorm.

The keynote speaker for the banquet will be Atmospheric Sciences professor Dr. Andrew Dessler. He will discuss “What the Scientific Community Thinks about Climate Change and Why You Should Believe It.” Dessler is an environmental scientist who studies both the science and politics of climate change. His scientific research revolves around climate feedbacks, and his interest in the politics of climate change comes from spending the last year of the Clinton Administration as a senior policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Sigma Xi 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. The Society’s mission is to recognize, encourage and promote scientific research at Texas A&M University and to honor the community of science scholars.

For more information, please visit sigmaxi.tamu.edu/news-and-events/2008-sigma-xi-induction-and-awards-banquet.ics