According to reports, there was a widespread failure of the video-stream of Director Chu’s 10 a.m. all-hands safety meeting on Friday. However, the talk was videotaped and is now available for viewing by staff who were unable to access the web stream, or wish to hear the talk again. Go here to watch the video.
Special Event: ‘Science for the Next President’ at Theater Talk TonightThe next installment of the Lab’s “Science at the Theater” lectures series takes place today at 5:30 p.m. with a talk by physicist Rich Muller. He will discuss “Physics 101: What Our Next President Needs to Know.” The event takes place at the Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. More>
Lab Guest: Bingaman, Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (left), visited the Lab last Thursday to learn more about the energy research taking place here. Bingaman toured the Joint BioEnergy Institute (with Jay Keasling, right), the Advanced Light Source, the Molecular Foundry, and the National Center for Electron Microscopy, before heading to campus to see the Energy Biosciences Institute and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society.
People: Bousso Gets Grant to Pursue Universe’s Ultimate NatureWith support from the John Templeton Foundation, the Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) recently awarded $2.68 million to support 33 different projects, in the hope that the researchers’ efforts will lead to more understanding of the ultimate nature of the universe. Among those receiving grants were Raphael Bousso, with Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division, for a project titled “Why Is the Universe Large?” More>
People: EETD’s Brown Selected to Unconventional Resources BoardNancy Brown, head of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division’s Atmospheric Sciences Department, has been appointed by Secretary of Energy Bodman to the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee (URTAC). URTAC advises the Secretary on the development and implementation of activities related to unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources. More>
Special Event: Staff Invited to ALS User Meeting Vendor ExhibitsThe Advanced Light Source is hosting its annual user meeting this week. Among the slated activities are vendor exhibits on the ALS patio today — from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon. This year 24 vendors will be on hand to display a wide range of scientific equipment. All staff are invited to attend the vendor exhibits.
UCOP News: Wall St. Volatility Affect on Retirement, Staff Health CostsThe UC Office of the President has provided information on the affect of recent volatility in the financial markets on UCRP Benefits, UCRP and UC Funds, Future Contributions to UCRP, and Retirement Savings Program Accounts. Go here to learn more. UC has also taken action to help protect employees against rising health insurance costs. Go here for more on those efforts.
DOE Update: Office of Science Execs Receive Presidential Rank AwardsDOE Deputy Director for Science Programs Patricia Dehmer and Associate Director of Science for High Energy Physics Dennis Kovar have each received Presidential Rank Awards, annual awards that “recognize and celebrate a small group of career Senior Executives and senior career employees.” Dehmer was named among the Meritorious Executives and Senior Professionals, and Kovar was named among the Distinguished Senior Professionals and Executives. More>