Photosynthesis Award
For Lab Bioscientist

Yano

Junko Yano, with Berkeley Lab’s Physical Biosciences Division, has received the Robin Hill Award, given by the International Society for Photosynthesis Research. The honor is given to scientists under 40 years of age for outstanding investigations into physical aspects of the photosynthesis process. Recent research by Yano includes deriving high-resolution structure of a catalyst that drives photosynthesis, which may help inform the development of solar-based energy technologies.

Cal Selects New Vice
Chancellor for Equity

Basri

Gibor Basri, a UC Berkeley astrophysics professor and guest in Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division, has been selected as the campus's new vice chancellor for equity and inclusion. As vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, a new position, Basri will have oversight of the campus's numerous efforts to recruit, retain, promote - and provide a welcoming environment for - a broad diversity of faculty, students and staff. Basri's work has included aspects of star formation, concentrating on accretion disks, young stars, and the star-disk interaction. He was a pioneer in the study of brown dwarfs, particularly the lithium test and physical parameters of substellar objects. Full story.

Green Home Expo
In Berkeley Aug. 5

The City of Berkeley is hosting its annual Green Home Expo on the Marina Green (205 University Ave.) on Sunday, Aug. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. The event includes information on energy and water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, clean storm water programs, and new recycling programs. Visitors can also swap their incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermometers for digital ones, and halogen tochiere lamps with energy efficient models. They can also drop off electronic waste, household batteries, and non-prescription medicines. Go here for more information.

Discount Tickets
For Raging Waters

Berkeley Lab employees can purchase tickets for Raging Waters theme park in San Jose for $19.99 each, or season passes for $38.99. To buy tickets, contact Valarie Espinoza Ross with the Employee Activities Association.

Eminent Biochemist
Daniel Koshland Dies

Koshland

Eminent biochemist Daniel Koshland Jr., former editor of the journal Science and a tireless booster of the biological sciences at UC Berkeley, died this past Monday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek, Calif., following a massive stroke. A long time professor of molecular and cell biology on campus and a resident of Lafayette, Calif., Koshland was 87. Full story.