"This is the most encouraging news since I began working on a national underground laboratory in 2000," said Berkeley Lab nuclear physicist Kevin Lesko, leader of the scientific proposal to convert the abandoned Homestake gold mine in South Dakota into a multipurpose underground scientific laboratory. The Barrick Gold Corporation has agreed to transfer ownership of the mine to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority. This clears the way for construction of a laboratory at a depth of 4,850 feet, and enhances Homestake's prospects for being the host site of a national Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory. Go here to read South Dakota Governor Mike Round's announcement.

Latino Scientist's Career
Path Topic of Lecture

Tapia

Richard Tapia, a professor of mathematics at Rice University and national leader in the effort to diversify computing sciences, will deliver a lecture on "A Lifetime of Diversity: Challenges, Successes, and Rewards" at noon tomorrow in the UC Berkeley Faculty Club. He will discuss his rise from the barrios of Los Angeles to award-winning computing scientist and the role race and ethnicity play in academic success and professional achievement.

Physicist Linder Chats
About Fate of Universe

Berkeley Lab physicist Eric Linder discussed the fate of the universe in an interview with Fraser Cain, publisher of Universe Today, a popular website dedicated to news about astronomy and space exploration. In this interview, Linder discussed how the discovery of dark energy has greatly complicated scientific ideas about how the universe works. An answer must now be found to explain why the expansion of the universe is accelerating, he said. Candidates include Einstein's Cosmological Constant and "quintessence," a mysterious anti-gravitational force. To read or listen to Linder's interview, click here.

Disasters can happen at any time of the day, so it makes sense to be prepared at work, where most of us spend eight hours a day, five days a week. As part of National Emergency Preparedness Month, the Lab's Environment, Health, and Safety Division would like to share a list of items that employees should gather together and have on hand on the job. Go here to view the list. More information on emergency preparedness at the Lab is available here (requires LDAP login).