March 8, 1999
Contact: Kara Villamil, 516-344-5658 or Mona S. Rowe, 516-344-5056
Fact Sheets:
Scientific Achievements,
Environmental Achievements,
Management Achievements,
Community Involvement Achievements
99-10
UPTON, NY - Brookhaven National Laboratory today celebrated a new beginning and a new look at the first anniversary of its new management.
The Laboratory unveiled a fresh graphic identity at a party marking the first year under the management of Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA). A not-for-profit entity formed by the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Battelle Memorial Institute, BSA manages Brookhaven for the U.S. Department of Energy.
"One year ago this week, we began a new era of scientific discovery, environmental responsibility and community involvement," said Laboratory Director John Marburger.
He continued, "In the past year, BSA has instituted new standards for management, environmental protection and safety; fostered new ideas for future scientific directions; devoted greater resources to environmental cleanup; promoted the transfer of Brookhaven discoveries to the private sector; and opened the Laboratory's doors to more community visitors than ever."
To symbolize Brookhaven's new philosophy, BSA commissioned the Deffenbaugh Agency of Manhattan to design a new graphic identity, including a new logo.
The publication of a promising new treatment for drug addiction, using a European epilepsy drug known as GVG. Initial results from animal trials showed that GVG prevents the dramatic changes in brain chemistry and behavior caused by cocaine and nicotine. Clinical trials of GVG are set to begin this spring in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The completion and installation of the 1,740 superconducting magnets of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), BNL's newest scientific facility. Also, the successful completion of the first simulated data test at the RHIC Computing Facility and the continued construction of RHIC's four experiments.
The beginning of new clinical trials of two promising cancer therapies developed at BNL: boron neutron capture therapy for brain tumors, and tin-117m DTPA for bone cancer.
The dedication of new facilities, including: the 0.6-teraflop RIKEN BNL supercomputer, the LEAF radiation chemistry facility; a 300-kilovolt electron microscope for materials science studies; the Center for International Security Studies; and upgraded laboratories to support brain-imaging research using positron emission tomography.
The granting of 17 patents for BNL technologies, and the initiation of nine Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with industrial partners.
The launching of high-tech buoys designed and built by BNL to monitor brown tide in Long Island's waters and feed data to researchers worldwide via the Internet.
Discoveries and developments by BNL scientists in many areas, including:
Under the federal Superfund program, began construction of BNL's first off-site groundwater treatment system, removed two underground tanks, remediated issues found during an exhaustive facilities review of the BNL site
Completed first phase of Peconic River Superfund investigation, and addressed community concerns by planning additional sampling with input from Laboratory neighbors
Published Superfund studies on contaminated groundwater and soils, and proposed remediation options for on- and off-site groundwater contamination
Secured funding for accelerated cleanup of the BNl site, including the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor
Began adopting internationally recognized ISO 14001 standards for environmental management
Involved community and employees in environmental remediation through calls, letters, door-to-door canvassing, focus groups, poster sessions and workshops
Began a joint recycling program with Brookhaven Town, and continued to make progress in increasing recycling and reducing waste and emissions
Hosted Pine Barrens research conference and Peconic River & Bay workshop
Published Institutional Plan for 1999 to 2003, containing many new initiatives for future scientific activities, environmental protection, and community involvement
Began implementation of a Standards-Based Management System, a Laboratory-wide, Internet-based work control system encompassing policies, standards, procedures and guidelines
On-schedule completion of Roles, Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Authorities documents (R2A2s) for all employees
Conducted employee survey and community survey, and formed employee focus groups to address employee concerns
Established Community Advisory Council to interface with a broad range of community members
Achieved Year 2000 compliance for DOE Mission Critical computer systems ahead of "stretch" deadline; now working to make balance of systems compliant by March 31
More than 730 people visited the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider on the February 20 community tour, and hundreds more took part in employee and Summer Sunday tours
BNLers donated $109,100 to the United Way; gave 1,150 pints of blood; helped build houses through Habitat for Humanity; raised money for educational television at WLIW; and contributed 26,281 pounds of food to the INTERFACE network, bringing the ten-year total to over a quarter million pounds
Nearly 11,000 children and teachers have visited the BNL Science Museum since September
Summer Sunday tours of BNL facilities attracted 3,300 visitors; the first Environmental Fair, brought 3,600 visitors to BNL to learn about environmental science, management & cleanup
Educational programs brought students and teachers to BNL for learning experiences, including: 31 Community Summer Science students, 30 minority high school students in the Summer Apprenticeship Program, 98 college ERULF interns, 26 community college students, and 62 teachers in the Elementary School Math, Science & Technology initiative
Annual science contests involved hundreds of students from kindergarten to high school:
BNL purchased $28 million in goods and services from Long Island companies in FY 1998
Construction began on a new home for the Camp Upton Collection,
which will be opened for public tours later this year