Although almost all of the humans have left Berkeley Lab’s main site, the wildlife has not. The turkeys, deer, and other creatures are roaming the hillside, while the trees, shrubs, grass, and weeds continue to grow. That keeps Berkeley Lab landscaper Tien Huynh a busy man. Huynh and three other landscapers continue to come to work each day while the Lab is in standby mode – although in … [Read more...]
Berkeley Lab to Conduct R&D to Improve the Nation’s COVID-19 Testing Capabilities
Berkeley Lab is part of a multi-laboratory working group that received DOE funding last week to conduct R&D to help improve the nation’s COVID-19 testing capabilities. The research involves eight DOE national labs and is funded for the next six months. The working group identified several opportunities where additional R&D can improve existing COVID-19 diagnostic methods or help … [Read more...]
Extension of Administrative Leave to April 20
Dear colleagues, Ensuring the stability of pay for our workforce has been our top priority as well as our top challenge during this prolonged standby period. We want to let you know that while we continue to seek more ways to assist Lab employees during this time, the Lab is today authorizing an additional extension to the number of paid Administrative Leave days available for each eligible Lab … [Read more...]
3Q4: Cait Youngquist on Branding and Creativity
Cait started her creative career in high school as editor in chief of her school’s literary magazine. There was no staff to teach the subject, so she figured it out as she went. In college, she served an apprenticeship as a student designer, and after graduation from Mills College with a degree in literature and creative writing, she became a junior art director. She continued her education in … [Read more...]
Electrician Peter Combs Keeps Lab Ready for Fire Emergencies During Stand-Down
Even with only a small crew of essential workers at the main Lab site, Peter Combs’ job as an electrician has been surprisingly routine during the stand-down that began March 17. “It’s kind of business-as-usual for us,” said Combs, who has worked at the Lab for five years maintaining its fire-sprinkler systems. “Our work orders mainly consist of preventative maintenance,” he said, with weekly, … [Read more...]