Los Alamos names science advisor for bio-threat and bioscience

Contact: David Lyons, davidlyons@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9198 (00-145)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Oct. 27, 2000 -- Scott Cram is the new science advisor for development of bioscience program opportunities at the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory. In this role, Cram advises and supports both the Threat Reduction and Strategic and Supporting Research directorates. Establishment of this position is in direct response to the growing scientific disciplines of bioscience and "bio-threat response" (responding to potential threats of bioterrorism). Los Alamos has technology and capabilities to apply to these important areas of science and national security.

Tom Meyer, associate Laboratory director for Strategic and Supporting Research, and Don Cobb, associate Laboratory director for Threat Reduction, made the joint appointment.

In announcing this new position, Meyer and Cobb expressed their enthusiasm for Cram’s joining their teams in order to facilitate key cross-directorate activities. The growing importance of bioscience in the area of threat reduction, arising from concerns about the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons, increases the need for someone to work with the two directorates to develop bioscience and bio-threat programs across the Laboratory. Cram will help identify and create new opportunities that can engage multiple federal agencies and utilize unique and cutting-edge Los Alamos capabilities.

"Scott’s years of experience at Los Alamos and his outstanding work in the Life Sciences and Bioscience divisions are assets that have real value in this emerging field of bio-threat and bioscience," said Meyer.

"In determining the greatest value the Laboratory can give to the nation in bio-threat and bioscience, Scott will be an invaluable resource," said Cobb. "We’re very pleased to have made this appointment."

Cram joined Los Alamos in 1969, has served in a number of management positions and has a multidisciplinary research background. He has served as acting deputy director of the new Bioscience Division, deputy division director and acting division director of Life Science Division, and program manager for the DOE’s office of biological and environmental research. Cram’s research career has centered on flow cytometry, cell biology and the human genome program. He played a central role in developing Los Alamos’ National Flow Cytometry Resource and was its first director.

"I’m looking forward to this opportunity to serve a larger segment of the science community at the Laboratory and the excitement of working with two outstanding leaders," said Cram.

Cram is a charter member and former president of the International Society for Analytical Cytology. He has served on numerous National Institutes of Health special study sections and is currently co-chair of a newly formed subsection of NIH’s cell and developmental biology study section.

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