Jacobus accepts prestigious Sigma Xi nomination
by Brooke Hall
Feb. 5, 2024
Luke Jacobus, IU Columbus Professor of Biology, was recently nominated and accepted into full membership of Sigma Xi, a preeminent scientific research honor society. He joins the ranks of the world’s most influential scientists, including 200 Nobel Laureates.
Membership in Sigma Xi is by invitation only, where members nominate others on the basis of their research achievements. The group aims to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering. (Learn more about Sigma Xi.)
“I was surprised and honored by the nomination,” Jacobus said. “It’s a great opportunity to support an organization that supports science, science education, and science in the community, which is so important in today’s world.”
Jacobus added that Sigma Xi provides an unparalleled opportunity for networking with scientists at other institutions who are high achieving in their fields. The group also offers a lot of resources to its members, which Jacobus is looking forward to exploring.
Focused on environmental science, Jacobus’ work centers around freshwater insects, especially mayflies, at local and global scales. Aspects of his research include the discovery of new species, monitoring endangered species, and conservation biology. He noted that mayfly species are commonly used worldwide as indicators of environmental health, including in Indiana.
Jacobus joined IU Columbus in 2006. He has been awarded multiple Indianapolis Zoo Conservation grants, including in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He’s also actively involved with the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge where he mentors student research and conducts water quality monitoring twice a year with his classes.
