MESSAGE FROM CAROL
Dear Colleagues:
As the adage goes, the journey to success starts with the first step. The Lab has provided a first step for many successful Lab projects through the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program. This issue of Research News features one of these projects, the Agile BioFoundry, which began as an LDRD project in 2013 and now offers a valuable capability to the research community and industry. You can also read about the Thermal Energy Group and the Materials Project (featured in past issues of Research News), which also got their starts as LDRD projects.
The purpose of the LDRD program is to encourage innovation, creativity, originality, and quality to keep the Laboratory’s research activities and staff at the forefront of science and technology. Congratulations to the projects and PIs receiving funding in FY22 (see announcement below)! If you have a plan for a project that is a good fit for an LDRD project, please consider submitting a proposal by March 25. For the first time, we are accepting applications for a new category, Multi-Area Topics, in addition to two categories from previous years, Area Priority and Early Career Development (we are not accepting proposals for new projects under the ongoing Lab-wide initiative this year). Visit the LDRD website for more information.
This issue of Research News also highlights one of our Stewardship values, that of Respect. Respect is foundational to our team science approach here at Berkeley Lab, and, more generally, there is no place for disrespectful behavior at the Lab. I hope that you will take the time to read some of your colleagues’ thoughts on this topic, and that you practice it daily in your interactions with others.
Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to the Lab’s mission.
Sincerely,
Carol Burns
Deputy Laboratory Director for Research
Chief Research Officer
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
The Agile BioFoundry: From LDRD Project to Leading Public Biofoundry
Agile BioFoundry staff in 2019
The Agile BioFoundry first started as an LDRD project eight years ago. Today it involves seven national labs and more than 70 researchers, operating as a distributed biofoundry in collaboration with industry and academia, with the objective of accelerating innovation and developing new biomanufacturing methods.
Read about the Agile BioFoundry’s road to success.
LDRD Program Announces FY22 Projects
The Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program at Berkeley Lab continues to produce cutting edge research for the Department of Energy and the nation. For the FY22 cycle, 99 LDRD projects are being funded at a total value of $24.1M. Read more about the projects and PIs receiving funding.
STEWARDSHIP
Spotlight on Respect: A Conversation with Members of the Lab Community
Respect is one of the most important of the Lab’s Stewardship values. We depend on contributions from many people, disciplines, and roles to unlock our full potential. It also allows us the ability to tap into the full potential of each individual. Respect means that we care for one another and that each of us takes responsibility for the well-being, safety, and belonging of others in our communities.
Research News interviewed the following members of the Lab community to see how they think about, and practice, respect in their daily work:
Deb Agarwal
Keileigh Bennett
Daniel Dores
Cameron Geddes
Liana Klivansky
Trent Northen
Mary Ann Piette
Read about their thoughts on respect.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Conversation with Carol Burns, Hosted by the Early Career Development ERG (video recording)
The Early Career ERG (ECERG) hosted a virtual talk with Carol Burns on January 18, discussing a broad range of topics including mentoring, career advancement, funding opportunities and The Way We Work. View the recording (54:53). Topics discussed and timestamps are available here.
NEED TO KNOW
Changes to Travel Approval Process and COVID Safety Requirements for Travel
Over the next several months, many conferences (including workshops, seminars, symposiums, and DOE program meetings) will be held in person or as hybrid meetings, and it is important for members of our community to participate in them. Review the current travel approval guidance, including revisions that broaden the accepted purposes for travel, modify the justification process for travel, and clarify post-travel COVID safety requirements.
If you intend to participate in a conference in person:
- Work with your Area Office to request travel approval from the Chief Operating Officier’s (COO’s) Office.
- Once your travel is approved by the COO’s Office, work with your administrative support to submit a request to Conference Services’ Attend Event Request (AER) system. Conference Services will ensure that the proper reporting and approvals are performed as required by the DOE.
- For widely attended meetings where LBNL exceeds $100k in attendance costs, further review and approval is necessary. Conference Services will work with senior management to secure this additional approval.
- Once all the reporting and approval steps are completed, the AER request will be approved and an email will be sent to you (the meeting attendee). It is at that time that you may register and make travel arrangements.
Watch Elements for additional updates on the travel approval process. Contact conferenceservices@lbl.gov with any questions.
GOOD TO KNOW
The Way We Work Tools and Services from IT
As we roll out The Way We Work modes, we continue to seek better ways for remote and hybrid teams to work. These collaboration tools from IT can help nurture the formal and informal relationships that are a critical foundation for team science.
DOE Hiring for Newly Announced Clean Energy Corps
The Department of Energy has launched the Clean Energy Corps, which is comprised of staff from more than a dozen offices across the DOE who are working together to research, develop, demonstrate, and deploy solutions to climate changes. DOE hopes to recruit another 1,000 members. Read more.
