Office of Science's Orbach
Nominated for DOE Undersecretary

President Bush intends to nominate Raymond Orbach to be Undersecretary for Science at the Department of Energy. Orbach currently serves as the director of DOE’s Office of Science. He previously served as Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside for ten years. Prior to that, Orbach was Provost of the College of Letters and Science UCLA. He received his bachelor's degree from the California Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. Orbach’s Senate confirmation is expected in March.

Health Institutes'
Fund Levels on Hold

The Lab's National Health Institutes continuing awards are currently being funded through the Congressional Continuing Resolution while the federal appropriations are being decided.  Based on the resolution, NIH is making awards at 80 percent or less of the FY05 level.  Committees in the House and Senate are working towards a conference agreement, hopefully in the next month. Go here to view the NIH announcement.

Keasling's Work Gets
Time.Com Feature

Berkeley Lab Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling's research on creating synthetic versions of plant products is currently featured in the online edition of Time Magazine. His work in this area has been widely covered by the news media, particularly his efforts to create a low-cost treatment for malaria. Go here to read the article.

Berkeley Lab employees who are paid biweekly and do not have electronic deposit may pick up their December paychecks between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Building 69-102 on Thursday, Dec. 22. Photo ID will be required. All paychecks not picked up that day will be forwarded to the employee's Lab mail stop for receipt on Jan. 2. Direct bank deposit advice forms will be sent through the Lab mail system Dec. 22, although some employees may not receive them before the holiday shutdown. Employees can view their paycheck data on or after the paycheck date here (select "HR, Benefit and Payroll Forms" link).

Important Dates For
Facilities Services

Chris Blanchard, with mail services

Services provided by the Lab's Facilities Division will be adjusted, due to the Dec. 23 to Jan. 1 holiday shutdown. The mailroom will be open Dec. 27 to 30. Receiving will be open on Dec. 28. Those requiring the delivery of packages during the shutdown period should send an e-mail to Tammy Brown by Dec. 22. Bus, transportation and fleet services will be closed throughout the shutdown. All services will be operational on Monday, Jan. 2.