January 2019 – July 2022
In this brief video greeting from his home, Berkeley Lab Director Mike Witherell thanks the people who make up the Lab for their creativity and resilience in these unusual times. https://youtu.be/vGnHHi5xp1M
We have had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection at the Lab. In an email to Lab staff, Deputy Lab Director for Operations Michael Brandt describes what happens when someone at the Lab has a concern about potential COVID-19 infection. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/03/21/status-of-covid-19-at-the-lab/
Deputy Lab Director Horst Simon met recently with graduate students who are participating in a Berkeley Lab-Cal State University East Bay internship program. The collaboration between the two institutions represents one of several components of Berkeley Lab’s efforts to diversify the STEM pipeline. https://eesa.lbl.gov/berkeley-lab-csueb-internship-collaboration-is-changing-lives/
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus in a number of countries, the Lab has set up a Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG) led by David von Damm to monitor the evolving federal, state, and local guidance and to advise Lab leadership on measures that should be taken to protect the health of our employees, affiliates, users, and visitors. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/02/26/covid-19-update/
The COVID-19 virus is continuing to spread, although the World Health Organization has not yet labeled it as a pandemic. It remains unclear how widely the virus might spread in the U.S., but health officials expect it to do so. The Lab is continuing to monitor the situation. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/02/25/covid-19-virus-update-2/
Two deer have been found dead in the past two weeks near the Molecular Foundry. The Lab’s Site Security team is working with experts to identify the predator that is attacking the deer. Please take action by using caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times, particularly in the evening and early morning hours, when predators are most likely out looking for a meal. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/02/19/stay-alert-for-wild-animals-at-the-lab-at-all-hours/
In January 2019, we started a series of emails to communicate about an important subject to all of us at the Lab: transportation, commuting, and parking. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/02/12/annual-commute-update-and-review/
ExxonMobil Vice President of Research and Development Vijay Swarup visited the Lab on Feb. 5 for discussions on carbon capture, hydrogen, combustion, materials by design, machine learning, and biofuels. Swarup leads a team that is looking to improve supply options for the world’s energy resources.
Effective Jan. 29, all official travel to China has been canceled by the federal government. As a federal contractor, this applies to Lab personnel. Any travel plans scheduled to China for February and March have been canceled until further notice. Employees can contact the Travel Office for any questions or concerns regarding business travel to China. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/01/29/travel-to-china-on-hold-due-to-coronavirus/
Jonathan Carter has been named Associate Lab Director for Computing Sciences, effective Jan. 27, replacing Kathy Yelick, who stepped down in December. Carter — who has been at the Lab for 23 years — previously served as area deputy for science in the Computing Sciences Area. https://cs.lbl.gov/news-media/news/2020/jonathan-carter-to-lead-cs-area/