Tinkering with plant genetics and molecular biology gives Biosciences graduate researcher Lorenzo Washington a window into the complex, messy world of plant-microbe relationships. His passions outside of the lab, like practicing judo and tending his home garden, help Washington greet his experiments each day with renewed creativity and resilience.
Beatriz Rett, Safety Sentinel
As the Safety Manager for the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) at Berkeley Lab, Beatriz Rett has found a way to blend her lifelong fascination with science and her desire to make an immediate difference in the lives of other people. “When employees feel heard and taken care of, they are more likely to stick around,” she said. “I’m happy to be a part of that work at Berkeley Lab.”
Dylan Chivian, Microbial Explorer
Dylan Chivian’s upbringing motivated him to help humanity and the natural world. Now a microbial scientist and coding engineer with the Department of Energy Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase), he’s building software tools that aim to share microbial genomic information and promote collaboration across the broader scientific community.
Anthony Rozales, Beamline Runner
For Anthony Rozales, his shift overseeing the protein crystallography beamlines begins before the sun rises. While some might find the early mornings grueling, for him it’s ideal. Most days, after his shift ends and he makes it home, Rozales usually turns right around and leaves again, this time on foot.
Cerise Bennett, Cell Culture Crafter
According to Bennett, needlecraft has been an excellent introduction to understanding and following lab protocols. Now a research associate in the Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Bennett continues to work and play in the overlapping space between science and art. “I’m constantly surprised by how much creativity is needed in the lab,” she said.
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