Research News: Animal Reveals Ancient Lineage, Complex Capabilities
As Aesop said, appearances are deceiving — even in life’s tiniest critters. From first detection in the 1880s, clinging to the sides of an aquarium, to its recent characterization by the Joint Genome Institute, a simple and primitive animal, Trichoplax adhaerens (left), appears to harbor a far more complex suite of capabilities than meets the eye. The findings establish a group of organisms as a branching point of animal evolution and identify sets of genes, or a “parts list,” employed by organisms that have evolved along particular branches. More>
Special Event: EETD’s Levine Gets Award at China/U.S. Emissions Meeting
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) will hold a symposium on the relationship between the U.S. and China on regulating global emissions, and present the FAS Public Service Award to Mark Levine, leader of the China Group at Berkeley Lab, for his extraordinary contributions to energy efficiency research and his work helping China build a strong energy program. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 in UC Berkeley’s Sibley Auditorium. More>
Postdoc Union Recognition: Last Briefing Today, 2 p.m., in Bldg. 50 Auditorium
A meeting on the efforts of the United Auto Workers to have Lab postdoctoral scholars sign union recognition cards takes place today at 2 p.m. in the Building 50 Auditorium. The Employee-Labor Relations Department is hosting the meeting to provide information on this process for employees and supervisors.
937 Move: ‘Movin’ on Up’ Video Highlights Safety
Who says moving can't be fun? To help prepare Lab staff for the Building 937 move, which begins next month, members of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer developed an amusing video that highlights the do's and don’ts of moving an office. Check out the retro soundtrack, learn about the creepy perils of being a pack rat, and watch as others learn, the hard way, when it's best to leave moving to the professionals. Angela Dawn White, Kristin Amlie, Michele Mock, Betsy Reyes and Linda Brown produced the video.
Employee Development: Onsite Powerpoint Classes Offered on Sept. 18
The Berkeley Lab Learning Institute is offering a Microsoft Powerpoint class on Thursday, Sept. 18. The class, taught by Learn iT, is $50. Due to limited space, interested employees are encouraged to sign up soon. Go here for more information and to register. E-mail a project ID number to Karen Paris for payment, or call x5122. The next Microsoft Excel and Word classes will be on Dec. 10 and 11.
Benefits Update: Financial Planning Workshops on Sept. 10, 15, Oct. 7
The Lab’s Benefits Department is sponsoring three upcoming financial planning workshops: Organize Your Financial Life, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; Investment Strategies for Women, Monday, Sept. 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Passport to Retirement, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1 to 4:30 p.m. All workshops take place in Bldg. 2-100B. Go here to register, or contact the Benefits Department for more information (x6403).