Chu

The Berkeley Lab web site has added a new page focusing on designate Lab Director Steven Chu, to give employees a broader introduction to their new leader. Included on the site are links to a television interview he videotaped at UC Berkeley in February, his own autobiography submitted when he won the Nobel Prize in 1997, and explanations of his scientific research. There will also be a posting of the news conference video from June 17, at which he was appointed the sixth Berkeley Lab director. Go here to see the new site.

Who You Know Could Be
Worth A Thousand Bucks

The Human Resources Department would like to remind the Lab community about its Employee Referral Incentive Program (ERIP). ERIP is designed to encourage employees to utilize their existing contacts and networks as potential sources for qualified candidates. The program awards $1,000 net to employees whose referral of an external candidate leads to a successful hire. Full and part-time employees are eligible to participate. To qualify, employees must submit a special form to the ERIP Coordinator at MS 937-600. For more information, call 495-2902.

Traffic Delays Expected
Near Building 71B

For the next month, traffic near the intersection of McMillan and Chamberlain Road near Building 71B will be subject to delays. This is due to environmental cleanup activities that are being conducted by the Lab's Environmental Restoration Program. Drivers should use caution in this area and follow directions of the traffic flaggers. Occupants and visitors of the building are urged to exercise caution when walking through the area.

VISTA Browser Cited
In Bioinformatics Primer

An article on the O'Reilly Network website which explains the philosophy and science behind bioinformatics and comparative genomics references Berkeley Lab's VISTA genome browser as a useful exploratory tool. Writer Robert Jones notes that comparing the DNA sequences of other organisms with the human genome, as is done at the Joint Genome Institute, "yields tremendous insights into the genes that are essential for life and those that define the species. They reveal the mechanisms of evolution and the hidden mechanisms of gene regulation." Read the article here.

The National Science Board, in a companion report to its recent "Science and Engineering Indicators 2004," warned of   "a troubling decline in the number of U.S. citizens who are training to become scientists and engineers, whereas the number of jobs requiring science and engineering (S&E) training continues to grow. These trends threaten the economic welfare and security of our country...preparation of the S&E workforce is a vital arena for national competitiveness." See an analysis of the reports here.

The National Academy of Sciences presents several awards to recognize outstanding achievements in science. Fields of presentation in 2005 include: chemistry, cosmology, solar physics/solar-terrestrial relationships, astrophysics, materials science, geophysics, aeronautical engineering, microbiology, psychology, the industrial application of science, and the application of science to the public welfare. Awards for young investigators will be given in biology and medicine, molecular biology, psychology, and computational science/applied mathematics. Nominations will be accepted through September 10. Go here for information.