January 2019 – July 2022
James Nunez joined the Lab as the Emergency Manager two months ago, moving from Alaska to the Bay Area in the middle of the pandemic. He spent the last 25 years in the Coast Guard, most recently in Alaska. Nunez’s job is to plan for potential emergencies. So what emergency keeps him up at night? https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/09/21/three-questions-for-emergency-manager-james-nunez/
Biosciences’ ALD Mary Maxon testified before the House Science Committee hearing on DOE’s response to the pandemic on Friday. Among the topics she discussed is the history behind bioscience research at Berkeley Lab. Watch the hearing’s replay. https://science.house.gov/hearings/biological-research-at-the-department-of-energy-leveraging-does-unique-capabilities-to-respond-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
ALD for Biosciences Mary Maxon will testify before the House Science Committee today at 10:30 a.m. (PST) at a hearing on DOE’s response to the pandemic. Among the topics she’ll discuss is the history behind bioscience research at Berkeley Lab. Watch a livestream of the hearing. https://science.house.gov/hearings/biological-research-at-the-department-of-energy-leveraging-does-unique-capabilities-to-respond-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
The increase of electric vehicle use in the U.S. means extra pressure on the power grid and the potential for power disruption. In this Q&A ETA’s Bin Wang discusses the interdisciplinary approach required to come up with solutions to this vexing issue. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2020/08/10/pioneering-work-modeling-how-electric-vehicles-interact-with-the-electric-grid/
Lab staff met the challenge laid down by SLAC and shared picks for science-related tomes via Twitter as part of yesterday’s #InternationalLiteracyDay yesterday. Moni Blum of the ALS suggested the primer pictured above for those with curious canines. Check out more recommendations. https://wakelet.com/wake/X6gxNFbXSobP4sYAd0G8x
The Innovative Genomics Institute, which includes the Lab’s Jennifer Doudna (president and chair) and Jillian Banfield (science director), recently hosted a “Visualizing CRISPR Through Art” virtual exhibit. CRISPR is a genome-editing tool that is being used to treat diseases and end hunger. https://innovativegenomics.org/blog/visualizing-crispr-through-art/
In this 3Q4, shuttle driver Benjamin Martinez explains how he and his wife closed their dental office in Mexico in 2009 and came to the US. After a month of job hunting, he was hired to drive shuttles. He enjoys spending time with family, is an avid fisherman, and loves model trains. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/08/16/three-questions-for-shuttle-driver-ben-martinez/
Howdy Goudey is not only a crack expert in ETA’s Windows group, he also shares his engineering know-how with the world via virtual fix-it clinics. The clinics celebrate the power of repair to reduce waste and build community. The next one is on August 29, at 11 a.m. Learn more and register. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZclG6YI3221ttofBquYsEqX9ZqkUN-jAFKdOqYcywLLS9Hw/viewform
The role of deep learning in science is at a turning point, with weather, climate, and Earth systems modeling emerging as an application area. In this Q&A, NERSC’s Karthik Kashinath discusses what is driving the scientific community to embrace these new methodologies. https://cs.lbl.gov/news-media/news/2020/physical-scientists-turn-to-deep-learning-to-improve-earth-systems-modeling/
The Department of Energy recognized Berkeley Lab for sustainability in three areas: Efficient High-Performance Computing (NERSC), Outstanding Sustainability Program/Project (Integrative Genomics Building), and a Lifetime Achievement Award for retired ETA Staff Engineer Dale Sartor (seen here). https://sbl.lbl.gov/category/news/#DOE%20Awards%20for%20NERSC%20efficiency%2C%20IGB%2C%20and%20Dale%20Sartor