January 12, 2010

A Note From Steve Dierker

Dear All,

I encourage your attention to the Light Sources Directorate Strategic Plan, coming as it did right on the heels of our safety stand down last month. Both efforts are critical to our success – safety, of course, being an essential component of our strategic plan. Please give us your comments and suggestions on the plan, either through the SharePoint website – http://groups.nsls.bnl.gov/strategic_plan/ -- or directly to task force members, listed later in this edition of eNews.

A month ago, on December 7, Chi-Chang Kao and I had a productive meeting at the National Science Foundation with program managers from the Division of Materials Research. We were invited by Dr. Guebre Tessema of the National Facilities program to present the scientific opportunities at the NSLS and NSLS-II. Dr. Tessema has been a strong supporter of the effort initiated by Brookhaven’s Office of Educational Programs in setting up an education/training program at NSLS for creating a pipeline of minority scientists and engineers through the engagement of professors from historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions.

With NSLS-II now under construction, he invited us to meet with NSF program managers so we could discuss with them the capabilities of our existing facility, the exciting scientific opportunities enabled by NSLS-II, and opportunities for partnering with NSF in development of experimental facilities and our education initiatives. We had a productive discussion and look forward to continuing the dialogue in the coming year.

In another exciting development, the National Institutes of Health recently indicated its intention to support the development of four undulator-based beamlines at NSLS-II to serve the needs of the life sciences community. As a first step toward this, NIH is providing $12 million in ARRA funds to NSLS-II to develop the insertion devices and front ends for these beamlines. Stay tuned for additional information on this initiative as it develops.

Happy New Year! Twenty ten has already gotten off to a good start.