Rick Perry awarded a Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award to the Pretreatment and Process Development Team of the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). The team was recognized for pioneering the development of biomass-derived ionic liquids (“bionic liquids”) to enable efficient and sustainable one-pot biofuel conversion technologies. The multi-Lab team includes Biosciences researcher Blake Simmons and affiliate Aaron Socha. On hand to receive the award from Secretary Perry at the ceremony held on August 29 were Timothy Dutta, Murthy Konda, Seema Singh, and Socha (pictured above from left to right with Secretary Perry in the center). For more, please read the JBEI news story.
Area Scientists to Present Talks at 2018 AAAS Annual Meeting
Several Berkeley Lab scientists will present talks at the 72nd annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society, to be held February 15 through 19 in Austin, Texas. Among them are four representing the Biosciences Area: Mary Maxon, Blake Simmons, Trent Northen, and Susannah Tringe.
Diversity Senior Leadership Council Launched at the Lab
Berkeley Lab Director Witherell, in partnership with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office, has announced the launch of Berkeley Lab’s DEI Senior Leadership Council (SLC). Members of the council include Biosciences Associate Laboratory Director Mary Maxon and Biological Systems & Engineering Division Director Blake Simmons. They, along with ten other councilmembers, will provide senior leadership with support and guidance toward achieving the Lab’s strategic DEI goals.
In his announcement, Witherell said that the SLC “will help carry out our commitment to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion become hallmarks of the Berkeley Lab culture. This council will provide senior management’s support and guidance toward achieving the Lab’s strategic DEI goals. The leadership and perspectives of our council members will be invaluable as we move forward with our strategy and vision for our organization.” Go to the DEI website to learn more.
TEDx Talk by BSE’s Director Blake Simmons Now Available
Blake Simmons, Director of the Biological Systems and Engineering Division, gave a talk at TEDxSonomaCounty on November 4, 2017 entitled “A World Without Limits through Biomanufacturing of Carbon”. The video of the talk is now available.
DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar Visits Biosciences Area
Paul Dabbar, Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Science, visited Berkeley Lab on January 18. The visit focused namely on the Lab’s industry engagement programs. During the visit, Dabbar heard presentations by Mary Maxon, Associate Lab Director for Biosciences, and Blake Simmons, Division Director for Biological Systems and Engineering. Paul Adams, Division Director for Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging welcomed Dabbar at the Advanced Light Source, and Todd Pray, Program Head of the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Development Unit gave a tours of its facilities. The visit also included tours of the Integrative Genomics Building construction site and the Joint Bioenergy Institute.
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