January 2019 – July 2022
Tanja Woyke of the Joint Genome Institute was awarded the van Niel International Prize for Studies in Bacterial Systematics for the triennium 2017-2020. She is recognized as a pioneer in uncovering the hidden diversity of “microbial dark matter” through single-cell genomics and metagenomics. https://jgi.doe.gov/tanja-woyke-awarded-van-niel-international-prize/
Join a celebration of the University of California’s 2020 Nobel laureates, including Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley professor and Lab scientist, on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. Hear their reflections on the value of scientific discovery and its significant impact on society. https://ucop.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tF3llJAbQQS9b6IftZNPGw?utm_source=UCnetwork+-+systemwide+staff&utm_campaign=cb31cba3ca-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_19_04_54&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f094b95b76-cb31cba3ca-186750673
Tim Bogdanof, mechanical technician in the Engineering Division, is competing in Season 10 of Battlebots. The new season returns Dec. 3 on the Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. PST. Behind-the-scenes footage will be shared on his YouTube channel (Unburnable Trash) following the television premiere. https://physicalsciences.lbl.gov/2020/12/01/engineering-technician-competes-in-battlebots-on-discovery-channel/
Maria Nappi is a recent arrival, heading up the Lab’s Environment, Health and Safety Division. Nappi had the typical moving trials when starting a new job; sticker shock at housing prices, navigating the area, and getting to know her team. But her real challenge was doing this during a pandemic. https://sites.google.com/lbl.gov/weareberkeleylab/supporting-science/maria-nappi
Eight Lab scientists have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This lifetime honor recognizes scientists, engineers, and innovators for their distinguished achievements in research and other disciplines toward science advancement. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2020/11/24/8-berkeley-lab-scientists-named-2020-aaas-fellows/
Joerg Heber has been named Research Integrity Officer to lead the Lab’s Research Compliance Office, which oversees research integrity and conflict of interest matters. He will join the Lab on December 1. https://research.lbl.gov/2020/11/23/welcome-to-joerg-heber-research-integrity-officer/
Chien-Shiung Wu will be honored with a United States Postal Service stamp in 2021. Wu was one of the renowned experimental physicists in the world and a postdoctoral fellow at E.O. Lawrence’s Radiation Lab, which later became Berkeley Lab. She received the first Wolf Prize in physics in 1978. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2015/05/19/chien-shiung-wu-physicist-who-helped-change-the-world/
Jennifer Pore, from the Nuclear Sciences Division, researches the fundamental behavior of the heaviest elements on the periodic table. Watch Jennifer’s SLAM presentation to learn more. https://slam.lbl.gov/2020-slam/2020-slam-finalists/jennifer-pore
The director of the Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division, Bill Collins, has been named a 2020 American Geophysical Union Fellow, one of 62 individuals named to this year’s class. The AGU Fellows program recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions to the Earth and space sciences. https://eesa.lbl.gov/bill-collins-named-agu-fellow/
Due to the pandemic, the Gairdner Foundation held its annual Laureate Lectures and Gala Celebration virtually this year. Distinguished Senior Scientist Mina Bissell presented her talk and received her medal surrounded by family at home in Berkeley. https://biosciences.lbl.gov/2020/10/29/mina-bissell-delivers-gairdner-laureate-talk-virtually-receives-medal-at-home/