Secretary Steven Chu yesterday announced that 69 scientists from across the nation will receive up to $85 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for five-year research grants as part of the Department of Energy’s new Early Career Research Program. The funding provides support to exceptional researchers during the crucial early career years, when many scientists do their most formative work. Lab researchers who will receive funds include (clockwise l-r) Christian Bauer of the Physics Division, Feng Yuan of Nuclear Science, and Delia Milliron and Feng Wang, both with Materials Sciences. More>
The Helios Energy Research Facility appears close to finding a new home west of the Berkeley campus, replacing a shuttered neighborhood eyesore with an eco-friendly building and public open space designed to spur downtown revitalization as it seeks solutions to global climate change. The brainchild of former Berkeley Lab Director Steven Chu, the Helios project was initially slated to be housed in a large structure, to be built in Strawberry Canyon, for Lab and UC Berkeley scientists working on solar energy, biofuels, and other ways to curb global climate change. More>
Berkeley Lab physicist and UC Berkeley professor Saul Perlmutter has been named a Senior Fellow at the Miller Institute on campus. He is the third such fellow, joining Berkeley Lab researchers Randy Schekman (Life Sciences) and Gabor Somorjai (Materials Sciences). The program was founded in 2008. The institute — created in 1943 — is named for Cal alum Adolph Miller, whose endowment funds support “creative thought and conduct of research and investigation in the field of pure science.” More>
On Saturday, Feb. 6, the Lab is hosting one of three Department of Energy Regional Science Bowl competitions for local high school students. The biggest turnout ever is expected this year, with 24 teams representing 14 schools scheduled to compete. The winner will receive a paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the DOE National Science Bowl competition. Volunteers are needed as timekeepers, scorekeepers, scientific judges and moderators. Scientific, technical, and administrative help is needed. Go here for more information, or contact Joe Crippen (x5816).
UC Update: Applications for Staff Advisor to Regents Now Accepted The University of California Office of the President has announced the opening of the application period for the next staff advisor-designate to the Regents. The position's term runs July 2010 through June 2012. The staff advisor program, now in its fifth year, allows for two staff and/or non-Senate academic employees to participate in open sessions of designated committees of the board. The staff advisors bring the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to board deliberations. Lab employees are invited to apply. More>
Educational Outreach: Life Sciences Hosts Fremont High School Students for Lecture on Breast Cancer A group of 18 seniors from American High School in Fremont attended the Life Sciences and Genomics Divisions' Seminar of UCSF researcher Zena Werb last week, as part of their Physics Honors course. Their class assignment was to attend a professional-level scientific lecture/seminar (not necessarily related to physics) at an esteemed institution and write a report on what they have learned. Werb’s lecture was on "Transcriptional Regulation of Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis."
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