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September 2025 |
SSE’s September Babies are in Good Company
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A recent article in Science1 highlights a growing challenge for scientific societies worldwide: publishing revenue is in decline. As open-access models reshape the landscape, over 90% of societies report that publishing income is no longer keeping pace with inflation—and nearly half are seeing real losses. For organizations like ours, which rely heavily on publishing to fund our mission, this trend is more than a financial concern—it’s an existential one. At SSE, we’ve always stood for bold inquiry, intellectual courage, and the pursuit of knowledge beyond conventional boundaries. Our JSE, SSE conferences, and community support for emerging researchers are all powered by the dedication of our members. But sustaining this work requires more than vision—it requires resources. If you’re in a position to contribute financially, your donation—no matter the size—makes a tangible difference. It helps us to maintain the quality of our publications, expand our outreach, and continue offering platforms for unconventional research: https://scientificexploration.org/Donate And if financial support isn’t feasible right now, your time and talent are just as valuable. We’re actively seeking volunteers to help with everything from event planning and social media outreach to peer review and member engagement. Whether you have a few hours a month or just a passion for our mission, there’s a place for you here. Just contact: mailto:community@scientificexploration.org This is a pivotal moment. With your support—through donations, volunteer work, or simply spreading the word—we can weather the shifting tides of academic publishing and emerge stronger, more connected, and more impactful than ever. Thank you for being part of this journey… 1 Brainard, J. (2025). Many scientific societies are losing publishing revenue. Science, 388(6752), 1121-1122.https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adz6859 |
Remembering Chantal Toporow, SSE Education Chair (1956–2025)
As the Education Chair, Chantal championed rigorous inquiry into the anomalous and the extraordinary, inspiring generations of researchers to question, imagine, and explore. Her career spanned aerospace engineering, environmental science, and parapsychology, which reflected a rare blend of technical brilliance and spiritual curiosity. From developing satellite technologies at Northrop Grumman to cultivating rare fruits in her biodynamic garden, she embodied the principle of living with purpose and wonder. Chantal’s teachings reached far beyond the classroom. She nurtured minds at UCLA, CSULB, CSUN, LMU, and Otis Parsons, and later at the Rhine Institute, where she explored the mysteries of consciousness and subtle energies. Her passion for sustainability, psychic arts, and interdisciplinary exploration made her a beacon for those seeking to bridge science and spirit. She leaves behind a community forever enriched by her intellect, warmth, and fearless pursuit of truth. May her journey continue among the stars that she so loved. She will be deeply missed! Welcome Mel Larrosa—JSE’s new “Editor, Book & Multimedia Reviews” But her journey doesn’t stop there—now in her third year of doctoral studies in Psychology, she’s diving deep into consciousness research, exploring anomalous cognition, insight, and post-materialist theories of mind. She also coordinates the Consciousness Initiative Group of the Galileo Commission, helping to shape the future of science beyond materialism. Mel’s appointment marks a new chapter—and we couldn’t be more excited. Please Renew Your SSE Membership It’s that time of year—ensure you stay connected, informed, and supported by renewing your SSE membership today. Your continued participation keeps our community thriving and unlocks a host of benefits:
While you’re renewing, please also take a moment to update your SSE profile. Add your newest publications, refine your research interests, and upload a fresh photo so colleagues can find and connect with you more easily. Please don’t let your membership lapse—renew now to keep advancing both your career and our shared mission: https://scientificexploration.org/join-us |
Meet Mark Boccuzzi—a Full Member of SSE since 2011 and a frontier scientist passionate about the intersection of applied research, advanced technology, and interactive media. As co-founder of the Windbridge Institute, LLC (www.windbridgeInstitute.com), he studies the non-local nature of consciousness, focusing on mindfulness, creativity, intuition, synchronicity, and intention. Since 2017, he has also served as Executive Director of the Windbridge Research Center (www.windbridge.org) which is dedicated to rigorous research and developing educational resources related to afterlife topics. An author of several books including Beyond the Physical: Ethical Considerations for Applied Psychic and Afterlife Science (2023) and Unlocked: How to Harness Your Psychic Abilities (2025), he also maintains a blog at http://www.psihacking.com. Recently we caught up with Mark to learn more about his background and experiences with SSE. Please talk about your career journey and what led you to your current work? My career journey hasn’t been a typical one. It started with a B.S. in Computer Science specializing in Compiler Theory and Design. This technical background led me into the video game industry, working as a Producer and then Executive Producer/Video Game Designer. I then transitioned to a Project Manager position at a science museum. Together, these experiences grounded me in project development and introduced me to the world of non-profits and working in a research environment. A significant shift occurred after attending the Rhine Research Center’s Parapsychology Summer Study Program in 2005. This experience propelled me into consciousness research, leading to a role as a Research Specialist at The University of Arizona. Since 2008, I have been a Research Scientist and Lead Developer at the Windbridge Institute, LLC, applying my expertise in AI, machine learning, and software design to explore anomalous phenomena. In 2017, my wife and research partner, Julie Beischel, Ph.D., and I co-founded the Windbridge Research Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to ease suffering around dying, death, and what comes next by performing rigorous scientific research and sharing the results and other customized free, open access content with the general public, clinicians, scientists, and practitioners. What do you find most rewarding about your research in frontier science? What I find most rewarding is exploring consciousness in ways that benefit society. I am passionate about understanding intuition, synchronicity, and extraordinary cognitive experiences, and applying these insights to enhance human potential, foster compassion, and deepen connection. I also love the interdisciplinary nature of the work, which allows me to collaborate with a wide range of experts, practitioners, and people with diverse experiences, broadening both the science and its real-world impact. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? Two of the biggest challenges I’ve faced are limited funding and skepticism about the work I do. Research on extraordinary cognitive experiences often falls outside of the mainstream. Overcoming these challenges has required creativity, persistence, and strategic problem-solving, finding innovative ways to fund research, build collaborations, and use skepticism as an opportunity to strengthen methodology and communicate results clearly. How has being a part of SSE benefited you both professionally and personally? Being part of SSE has been extremely valuable to me professionally and personally. It offers a space to share ideas, learn about new projects, and connect with a diverse group of researchers. The interdisciplinary environment fosters collaborations, inspires new directions in my work, and deepens my understanding of frontier science. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in frontier science? My advice for anyone starting in frontier science is to stay curious, be bold, and embrace questions that challenge conventional thinking. Joining a community like SSE can provide mentorship, collaboration, and inspiration. Being part of a network of passionate researchers helps you navigate challenges and explore new possibilities with confidence. |
“Copernicus’ parents might deserve some of the credit for his great discovery. Apparently, at the age of twelve, they said to him: “Copernicus, young man, when are you going to realize that the world does NOT revolve around you?” |
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