Replay: All-Hands Meeting with DOE Secretary Chris Wright

Secretary Wright took an opportunity to share his love of science that started in childhood with the Lab community in an all-hands meeting during his visit to the Lab on Thursday, May 29. This passion to understand the working of the stars led him to a career in energy, working not only in oil and gas but nuclear, solar, and geothermal. 

He completed an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at MIT and graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT. 

New AV Recording Studio 

The Lab’s IT Division manages the studio, which is built to handle both in-studio and Zoom guests. The studio has professional equipment and is all set up, so you can book your recording time and come to the studio ready to record. At the end of the session, the IT team will send you audio and video files that can be edited into a final product.

This video interview, direct from Building 50B, explains how several Lab colleagues are already using the new recording studio.

Learn more about the recording studio and how to make a reservation.

Innovation Celebration

IPO Announces Berkeley Lab Inventors and Developers of the Year for FY2024

At the Innovation Celebration on Jan. 22, Deputy Lab Director for Research Carol Burns and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) announced Berkeley Lab's FY24 Inventors and Developers of the Year in each of the Lab's six research areas. These prolific innovators are creating new technologies and working with IPO to bring these science solutions to the world.

The event also included a panel on ”Paths to Tech Transfer” featuring ETA’s Ken Higa and Mike Tucker, IPO’s Lucian Sweitzer, ESA’s Ting Xu, and Alex Fang from OneValley, an innovation and entrepreneurship services organization. The panelists discussed the different paths to technology transfer, including licensing technologies to external parties, collaborating with industry partners, and startups founded by Berkeley Lab researchers and employees.

Berkeley Lab 2024 (Virtual) Holiday Gathering

In a fitting tribute to 2024, Lab colleagues joined Lab leadership to celebrate the year’s successes virtually. One of the highlights was the revealing of the new name of the latest construction project: Collaboration Commons. The building, over 46 thousand square feet, will house a cafeteria, coffee bar, some HR services, a medical clinic, and the badging office, along with a second floor with conference rooms. 

The gathering ended with a Lab favorite, festive pets.  Take a look.

Director's Achievement Awards 2024

Berkeley Lab employees were honored on Nov. 8 at the annual Director’s Awards, which recognizes excellence across the Lab. There were three recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and one honoree for the Stewardship Award, and 86 additional employees were recognized across eight categories. Watch this video replay of the ceremony, which includes the recognition videos for some of the honorees.

Stewardship Town Hall

Chief Culture Officer Aditi Chakravarty and Lab Director Mike Witherell presented results from the Lab’s 2024 Culture Survey in a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Next steps include collaborating with organizations and groups across the Lab to take action based on key survey insights. Watch the replay to learn more about the results.

AI@LBNL Workshop Day 1

Day 1 of the AI@LBNL Workshop covered the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in research areas like materials science, chemistry, and geoscience. Participants discussed how AI can be applied to scientific user facilities and examined the challenges and possible solutions for implementing AI in these settings.

AI@LBNL Workshop Day 2

Day 2 of the AI@LBNL Workshop focused on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can accelerate scientific advancements. The discussions also highlighted the challenges of managing and curating data to make it AI-ready.

Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense

For this hybrid event, Saul Perlmutter shared perspectives from his latest book, co-authored with leading experts in philosophy and legal psychology. Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense has been hailed for revealing “how you can use the tools of science in everyday life. In a world filled with uncertainty and fractured by polarization, this guide to clear thinking couldn't come at a better time.” Lab director Mike Witherell engaged in a fireside chat with Saul, and took questions from the audience. 

Berkeley Lab Research SLAM

The 2024 Berkeley Lab Research SLAM was held on September 19th. Twelve finalists competed to communicate their scientific research in three minutes. Yumary Vasquez won first place, Gurjyot Sethi took second, and Lisa Schlueter came in third. The People's Choice Award was given to Nicholas Dale. Yumary, Gurjyot, and Lisa will advance to the regional competition on October 3rd.

AI@LBNL Webinar Series #5: Accelerating Science with Generative AI: From Data to Scientific Discovery

In this installment of the AI@LBNL webinar series on Thursday, Sept. 19th, Computing Sciences Area Research Scientists Ben Erichson and Marcus Noack will lead a compelling session on AI models. Ben will explore generative models for science, while Marcus will discuss Gaussian process models and their role in autonomous experimentation.

State of the Lab 2024

Lab Director Mike Witherell, joined by Carol Burns, Deputy Lab Director for Research and Chief Research Officer, and Michael Brandt, Deputy Lab Director for Operations and Chief Operating Officer shared the state of the Lab in a virtual session on Tuesday, Sept. 9. 

The presentation included information about progress in critical research areas, recent accomplishments, awards and honors earned by Lab staff, funding, and present and future construction projects. 

AI@LBNL Webinar Series #4: Preparing Science to Take Advantage of AI

Dr. Sarah Richardson, a leader in integrating machine learning with microbial genomics to drive innovation in industrial biotechnology, addresses the challenges of applying AI to scientific research. She highlights the critical need for proper infrastructure, well-curated data, and workforce readiness, and explains why overcoming these hurdles is essential for scientists to fully harness AI’s potential.

AI@LBNL Webinar Series #3: Building Infrastructure for Cutting-Edge Scientific AI

Wahid Bhimji from NERSC’s Data and AI Services Group and Adam Stone, Chief Technology Officer and Director of Berkeley Lab's IT Division, discuss efforts to build infrastructure that supports pioneering scientific AI research.

AI@LBNL Webinar Series #2: Planning the Future for (and with) AI at Berkeley Lab

Carol Burns, Deputy Lab Director for Research and Chief Research Officer, discusses the ongoing efforts to develop Berkeley Lab’s AI strategy, outlines her goals for a two-day AI workshop this fall to refine that strategy, and explains how lab staff can contribute to achieving these goals.

AI@LBNL Webinar Series #1: FASST Update

Carol Burns, Deputy Director for Research hosts ALD Computational Sciences Jonathan Carter in the first of a weekly webinar series "AI@LBNL".  Join Dr. Carter as he presents an overview and 'roadmap' of DOE's FASST (Frontiers in AI for Science, Security and Technology).

Community Engaged Research: A Fireside Chat

The Laboratory Directorate is launching a Labwide speaker series on community engaged research to showcase CER researchers and projects across Berkeley Lab, and highlight examples and promising practices to strengthen community partnerships. The kick-off event was held on Tuesday, August 27th from 12:00-1:00 pm in the B50 Auditorium, with a virtual option for those unable to join in person. This fireside chat panel will feature Associate Lab Directors Mary Ann Piette and Bill Collins, Division Director Tom Kirchstetter, and will be moderated by Deputy Lab Director for Research and Chief Research Officer, Carol Burns.