Impact of Big Oil
On Research Debated
By Rick DelVecchio

Somerville

The oil industry has committed more than $700 million to alternative energy research at three Northern California universities, prompting debate over how commercial interests might shape the direction and results of scientific advances. "All sources of research funding have implications for the academic institutions," said Berkeley Lab physical bioscientist Chris Somerville, who will lead the new Energy Biosciences Institute. "If anything, industry funding represents a healthy diversification away from almost total reliance on the whims of the government." Full story.

Safeguarding Against Conflicts of Interest
By Rick DelVecchio

Chu

Berkeley Lab physical bioscientist Chris Somerville, considered the likely choice to run the $500 million Energy Biosciences Institute, said he has cut ties with two Bay Area renewable energy companies he helped form — Mendel Biotechnology and LS9. Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu, a likely member of the BP-funded institute's governing board, said he has put measures in place to ensure that potential conflicts (of interest) are dealt with before any research money is given out to scientists. Full story.

Perlmutter, Supernova
Project Team Share Prize

Perlmutter

The 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize has been awarded jointly to Saul Perlmutter — Berkeley Lab physicist and UC Berkeley professor — and Brian Schmidt of the Australian National University. The researchers led members of the two international teams in discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe: The Supernova Cosmology Project and the High-Z Supernova Search Team. Full story.

Staff Can Donate Blood
At Lab July 23 and 24

The American Red Cross visits the Lab on Monday, July 23, and Tuesday, July 24, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 2-100B. T-shirts will be given to all donors. The first 15 to sign up will receive baseball tickets and a chance to win a $250 gas card and a plasma TV. Go here to register for an appointment. The bloodmobile's visit is sponsored by the Lab's Philanthropy Club.

The Lab’s Technology Transfer Office would like to apprise researchers interested in starting their own business about a free half-day course on the process. The class is tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Pleasanton. Students will hear from business founders and investors, as well as legal specialists. Go here to register.