The Laboratory has created a web site through which scientists from institutions that were either shut down or damaged by hurricane Katrina can apply for research assistance in one of Berkeley Lab's 14 scientific divisions. The web site address is: http://www.lbl.gov/publicinfo/katrina-relief/.
“All of us at Berkeley Lab are greatly saddened by the loss of life and the suffering from hurricane Katrina,” said Berkeley Lab deputy director Graham Fleming. ”Our thoughts go out to those who have been injured and have lost loved ones, homes, and community resources. Many organizations are addressing immediate medical, safety and support needs, and Berkeley Lab will make its research facilities available to scientists with incapacitated or damaged research facilities. Many investigators may not be able to return to their laboratories for several months. Several divisions at Berkeley Lab have received inquiries from impacted scientists and are now making plans to receive these guest scientists.”
For example, Earth Sciences Division Director Bo Bodvarsson will host a geologist from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory located in Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Miss. “I am very pleased to provide the space and resources for our new colleague,” Bodvarsson said. “Our division will give him a warm welcome, and we look forward to working together to advance our scientific programs.”
Berkeley Lab will work with research sponsoring organizations such as the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies as well as impacted institutions. Berkeley Lab's offer includes access to available facilities and office space, shared equipment usage, telecommunications and computing resources. It does not include travel, housing and living expenses, which may be addressed by home institutions, research sponsors or other agencies.
The Laboratory's actions will be coordinated with the University of California, which manages the Lab for the DOE, and emergency management organizations, including FEMA and the Red Cross for humanitarian and family support.