Galitsky, Cook Stoves
Featured in Smithsonian
By Neal Henry

Galitsky

Nearly three years ago, Christina Galitsky joined a team of scientists who had been asked an urgent question. Was it possible for researchers at Berkeley Lab, where she is an engineer, to devise an expedient method for the displaced of war-torn Darfur to cook their meals? In 2005, Galitsky and physicist Ashok Gadgil, both with the Environmental Energy Technologies Division, proposed a solution: a highly energy-efficient and portable cookstove, one that, Galitsky says, would "sharply reduce the need for refugees to leave the camps." Full story.

Harassment Prevention Training Course Delayed

Due to technical difficulties with the online link, a University of California-sponsored training course on sexual harassment prevention will be delayed. Supervisors and managers at Berkeley Lab will receive an e-mail from the Office of the President indicating their need to take the course. Officials estimate a rollout within the next two weeks. Go here to read about the training as first announced in Today at Berkeley Lab.

Cost Savings Bring
E-Mail Charge Down

Thanks to cost-cutting measures employed by the Lab’s IT Division, the charge for e-mail storage was reduced as of Oct. 1. Accounts in excess of 3GB will only be charged $10/GB per month and will be prorated to actual average usage. A recent IT survey of e-mail service showed high levels of satisfaction with reliability, delivery, spam and virus protection, say officials. IT will be offering more enhancements this year based on the survey’s feedback.

Successful Job Referral
Rewarded With $1,000

The Lab’s Human Resources Department wants to remind staff about the Employee Referral Incentive Program (ERIP). ERIP provides $1,000 net to employees whose referral of an external candidate leads to a successful hire. Full and part-time employees are eligible to participate. An ERIP form must be submitted in order to qualify for the award. Upon completion, mail it to the ERIP Coordinator at MS 937-600. For more information, call x2902.

Personal Preparedness
Expert Here Tomorrow

Jones

An expert on emergency preparedness in the home tomorrow will reprise her presentation originally given last June at Berkeley Lab’s Emergency Preparedness Week. Ana-Marie Jones, Executive Director of Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD), will speak on "Personal and Family Preparedness" during the Building Manager's and Building Emergency Team Quarterly Seminar from 10 a.m. to noon in the Building 50 Auditorium. All Lab staff are invited. CARD was created after the Loma Prieta earthquake and the Oakland Hills firestorm to provide disaster preparedness/response support to Alameda County community-based organizations. Go here for more on the organization.

Computation and Cancer
Workshop Oct. 24-26

Cancer cells

A workshop that focuses on the application of mathematical and computational tools to understand the properties of cancer and other biological systems will be held at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley Oct. 24-26.  The workshop is designed to encourage and support the mathematical community's involvement in the effort to study cancer using system approaches. Go here for more information.

CSEE volunteer with local 5th graders

Training on Science
Education Outreach

Berkeley Lab employees are invited to attend a training session on providing science education for school children tomorrow, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Building 7-R211. Participants will see demonstrations of hands-on activities, learn strategies for effective science teaching, and receive updates on teaching resources and opportunities. Parents and grandparents who want to assist their families with science education are also encouraged to attend. Contact Rollie Otto for more information (x2648).