Editor's Note: The C-Span cable television network is scheduled to air Laboratory Director John Browne's address at the National Press Club at 11 a.m. today. C-Span can be viewed on desktop computers at http://www.c-span.org online.
Laboratory Director
to address National Press Club today
Los Alamos National Laboratory Director John Browne today called for a "renewed compact" between the nation and the physical sciences community.
In remarks delivered at the National Press Club, Browne said the impetus for such a renewal is developing an effective defense against terrorist activities, but the benefits can extend from exciting more youths to pursue a career in science to finding solutions to global issues such as clean energy.
"Public investment in the physical sciences is critically important to effectively combating terrorism here and abroad, as well as addressing other national security issues," Browne said.
Noting the need to achieve a balance in federal support for different scientific fields (biology and medicine currently get half of all available funding), Browne said, "No single field will dominate in the fight against terrorism. In fact, the greatest advances will be made at the borders between scientific fields."
Following World War II, Browne said, the nation viewed science, particularly the physical sciences, as an "endless frontier" from which the pursuit of new knowledge would inevitably lead to solutions to society's problems.
Browne defined the physical sciences to include physics, chemistry, math, computer science, engineering and other technical fields.
The government's strong relationship with the physical sciences community waned with the end of the Cold War, Browne said, and to renew the compact the physical sciences community must do a better job of explaining the potential derived benefit - the use - of its proposed research.
"The scientific community will have to focus its research on the threats we will face in the coming decades," Browne said.
Browne observed that the science community -- universities, industry and national laboratories -- responded quickly to the events of Sept. 11, providing "off the shelf" knowledge, expertise, equipment and advice. To ensure such an ability to respond effectively in the future requires investing in the underlying fundamental research today, he said.
"Current technology will help, but it cannot provide the nation with adequate capabilities to detect, deter or defeat" a future terrorist event more destructive than those of Sept. 11, Browne said.
"We must conduct the multi-disciplinary use-directed research now that will enable the required counter-terrorism systems" of the future, Browne said. "The science community must move research concepts more quickly into the hands of first responders and the military."
"There is no 'perfect' defense against terrorism for a free society," Browne said. "Science can, however, make it easier to detect terrorist activities, make it harder for the terrorists to carry out their goals, and provide better ways to protect our people.
"In renewing the compact between the physical sciences community, the government and the public, we will attract and train the next generation of scientists who will win the war on terrorism, advance solutions on other national problems, and increase knowledge for future generations."
--John R. Gustafson
U.S. Senators, NNSA Administrator Gordon scheduled to visit Laboratory today
Gen. John Gordon, National Nuclear Security Administration director, and senators Harry Reid, D-Nev., Pete Domenici, R-N.M. and Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., are scheduled to be at the Laboratory this afternoon. Gordon and the senators, who will be accompanied by members of their staffs, will tour some technical areas around the Laboratory, including the Lab's ATLAS facility at Technical Area 35, and also receive briefings on counterterrorism, homeland security efforts, nonproliferation and stockpile stewardship.
Student/Postdoc Career Fair and résumé writing workshops today
Training and Development (HR-6) is conducting two workshops today for Laboratory students and postdoctoral students on how to prepare résumés and curriculum vitae. The workshops are offered in preparation for a Student/Postdoc Career Fair in February.
The workshop will present the essential elements to be included in a curriculum vitae and résumé, including how to format a vita and résumé and how to use key action words to detail professional experience, according to Carol Ann Martz of HR-6.
Students and postdocs can attend one of two sessions on Thursday. The sessions are from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room 164 at the Canyon Complex downtown.
For more information, see Tuesday's Daily Newsbulletin.
Memorial service scheduled today for Lab employee Calhoun
A memorial service for Robert "Bob" Calhoun Jr., is scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Fuller Lodge downtown. Calhoun, a machinist with Experiment and Diagnostic Design (DX-5), died Tuesday after a brief illness.
Calhoun began his career at the Laboratory in 1981 and was employed with DX-5 from 1995 until his death. His wife and two children survive him. A reception will follow the memorial service from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1601 Trinity Drive.
Stroke prevention talk Feb. 5 at the Lab
The Laboratory's health promotion program in Occupational Medicine (ESH-2) and Compensation and Benefits (HR-1), in conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico and Solvay Pharmaceuticals is hosting a talk on stroke prevention through blood pressure control on Feb. 5.
The interactive presentation is from noon to 1 p.m. Lab workers can watch the presentation on Labnet Channel 10 or through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) on desktop computers.
There also will be special viewing location set up at room 167 of the Canyon School complex on Central Avenue.
The presentation by Dr. Glenn Graham is being held in conjunction American Heart Month in February, explained Jessica Kisiel of ESH-2 and the Lab's Positive Health Directions coordinator.
Dr. Graham is director of the Cerebrovascular Disorders Program and associate professor of Neurology, Radiology and Neuroscience at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Hospital.
In his presentation, Graham will define stroke and the burden of this disease in the United States and other countries. Stroke risk factors will be reviewed with emphasis on high blood pressure, the most significant risk factor for stroke. Medication use and clinical trial data for reducing elevated blood pressure also will be discussed, said Kisiel.
The viewing audience can ask questions by calling 5-3762 or 5-3757; by fax at 5-7862; or by writing to bp-qa@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
Following the presentation viewers will be asked to complete a short evaluation survey and all respondents will be entered into a drawing for two separate prizes: an automated blood-pressure unit or a $50 gift certificate to Gabriel's restaurant north of Santa Fe courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico. Kisiel said there also will be free blood-pressure screenings and light refreshments for attendees at the Canyon School site.
The Patient Education Institute in Iowa City, Iowa has created a series of online health tutorials on a number of medical and health related topics. To complete the tutorial on high blood pressure go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/hypertension/hp039101.html online.
To complete the tutorial on prevention of heart disease go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/howtopreventheartdiseases/ct289101.html online.
ESH-2 staff - Occupational Medicine, the Wellness Center, Employee Assistance Program and the Positive Health Directions program - offer a variety of resources for Lab workers to help them manage blood pressure. Such resources include blood pressure screenings and information on diet, exercise, stress, biofeedback, smoking and more.
For more information, contact Kisiel at 5-4368.
--Steve Sandoval
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