Cal State Magazine
Features JGI Researcher

Orsalem Kahsai, a young Berkeley Lab researcher at the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, is the subject of a cover-story feature in the winter edition of "Haywire," the news magazine of the Cal State East Bay (formerly Hayward) campus. Kahsai's specialty is looking for "switches" that turn genes on and off in Ciona intestinalis, a primitive creature known as the sea squirt whose genetic make-up gives researchers clues to the evolution of humans. She earned a bachelor of microbial biotechnology degree from the University of California, Davis, followed by a summer internship with the Human Genome Project at Berkeley Lab. While working full-time at JGI since 2000, Kahsai pursued a master's degree at Cal State Hayward after taking some classes in the biotech program. Full story.

Bissell Aids Rising Star
Of Cancer Research

Bissell

Bioengineer Karen Burg is one of eight recipients of the "Era of Hope" Scholar Award, awarded by the Department of Defense to honor her as a rising star among breast cancer researchers, whose "creative, high-risk research . . . may ultimately lead to the eradication of breast cancer." Berkeley Lab cell biologist Mina Bissell was among several scientists who worked with Burg on her award-winning research. Full story.

Creating a Practical
Levitating Bearing

Halbach

Richard Post and Jerry Smith, both scientists with Lawrence Livermore Lab, have invented what may someday be regarded as the most significant mechanical device of the 20th century — the first passive permanent magnet bearing. During his research, Post looked for ways to correct the type of instabilities that make practical levitating bearing impossible. He found the answer in Berkeley Lab physicist Klaus Halbach (now deceased), who used specific magnet arrangements (which came to be known as Halbach arrays) to focus particle beams. Full story.

Raymond

Lab chemical scientist and UC Berkeley professor Kenneth Raymond is the recipient of the Izatt-Christensen Award, which will be presented at the International Symposium on Macrocyclic Chemistry in Dresden, Germany this summer. The symposium was established in 1977 by scientists Reed Izatt, James Chistensen, and J.S. Bradshaw. Raymond will receive $2,000 and present a talk during the event. He was recognized for his "highly innovative chemistry, which has expanded from relatively simple biomimetics to the beautiful catalytically active nanometer-scaled flasks."

Martinez, left, and his son are pictured here with some of their Harly handiwork.

Lab Truck Driver Soups
Up Harleys With His Son

Meet Jim Martinez, a truck driver for the Lab's Transportation Department. When he's not picking up and delivering items, he can be found with his son in a Brentwood garage customizing Harley Davidson motorcycles. It started as a hobby 12 years ago, but word of their skill quickly spread, so the two officially opened their "Old School Choppers" business about a year ago. For riders who want spiffy looking bikes, the father-son duo add special accessories, like handle bars, seats, grips, levers, coil covers and chrome plating. They also design and fabricate exhaust systems to create distinct sounds and enhance performance. Martinez says the "biker" stereotype is mostly untrue. "Most of us are working people who happen to love motorcycles," he says.

Labor Relations Class
For Managers, Supervisors

Human Resources is conducting a class for managers and supervisors on labor and employee relations at Berkeley Lab on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The course will cover general information about the unions that represent Lab employees, approaches to disciplinary action for both represented and non-represented staff, and determining whether issues are conduct or performance based. To enroll and read a complete description, go here (HRS 1002).