A Message from Bob McCallum and Kyle Turner

Bob McCallum (left) and Kyle Turner.

by Bob McCallum and Kyle Turner

In his July 17, 2007 All Hands presentation to the SLAC staff, Jonathan Dorfan said: "World-class science requires world-class management and operations (M&O) support. We (SLAC) currently lack a portfolio of business and support systems whose excellence matches that of the science, and thus we are putting the achievement of our scientific and technology mission at risk." As you are aware, SLAC has asked us, McCallum-Turner Inc., to help the laboratory determine what changes are essential and also to help develop a staged implementation plan. To focus this process, we have targeted 11 specific areas of SLAC's M&O to examine further. A team of peers from across the country, each a subject matter expert in one of the 11 areas, has already begun this process. Their interface with the laboratory is through SLAC points of contact (POCs). Each POC is directly supported by a team from SLAC.

Although we will research each of the 11 target areas extensively over the next several months, it is simply not possible for us to gain the depth of knowledge already held by those who work at the laboratory. Each employee is an expert who possesses a strong sense of what works and what needs improvement in his or her specific area. Because of this, we ask SLAC employees to offer their comments and suggestions on how M&O works (or doesn't work) in the areas where they have experience. Employees can contact us with ideas, comments or suggestions via email at mccallum.turner@slac.stanford.edu or by phone at (650) 926-6200. Alternatively, employees can contact the POC working in the area of their concerns. A list of POCs is available online.

To help clarify matters, SLAC has created a Sharepoint website. This site contains status updates, information on how to contact each area's lead subject matter expert and POC, and further information of what each of the 11 areas encompasses. (Click on the links in the "SLAC M&O Points of Contact" box on the Sharepoint website for more information about each focus area.) Additionally, future articles published in SLAC Today will further discuss each area's focus.

We hope that these tools will help make this process as comprehensive, inclusive, successful and rewarding as possible. We look forward to working with everyone at SLAC on this important project.

The Chemical Form
of Mercury in the
Fish We Eat

by Yuji Arai

Zooplankton, above, are an important link in the chain of how mercury gets into food. (Click on image for a diagram of the transfer process.)

Mercury toxicity is an environmental concern in diverse aquatic systems because methylmercury enters the water column in a number of ways and then biomagnifies through food webs. Piscivorous fish at the top of many freshwater food webs (see diagram below) can then extend that trophic transfer and potential for neurotoxcity to wildlife and humans. Mining activities, particularly those associated with the San Francisco Bay region, can generate both point and non-point mercury sources. Largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass from Guadalupe Reservoir (GUA), California and Lahontan Reservoir (LAH), Nevada were analyzed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) to determine predominant chemical species of mercury accumulated by high-trophic-level piscivores that are exposed to elevated mercury in both solution and particulate phases in the water column. Both GUA and LAH are affected either directly or indirectly by the legacy of gold and silver mining in the Sierra Nevadas during the 19th century. Read more...

Something A-Maize-ing

by Ken Kingery

Angela Garcia with the corn she grew near SLAC's Heavy Fabrication Building.

People passing by the southwest corner of the Heavy Fabrication Building this summer may have noticed a surprising juxtaposition: several stalks of corn growing in this otherwise industrial area. A small garden, which also includes bell pepper, pea, basil, and jalapeno pepper plants, has been cultivated there by SLAC employee Angela Garcia since late April.

"The deer on site ate the bell pepper and pea plants," said Garcia. "They started to eat the jalapeno plants too, but stopped after a few bites."

For whatever reason, the deer also stayed away from the stalks of corn. Garcia has harvested several ears along with many jalapeno peppers, and says they taste great. The vegetables grow in several plant boxes, one of which was already serendipitously sitting outside the Heavy Fabrication Building. Garcia got two more from fellow Mechanical Fabrication Department employees Craig Jordan and Eamon Lacey, who suggested she start the small garden project.

"I figured, 'why not?'" said Garcia. "There's always room on the table for fresh veggies."

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September 4: (3:30 p.m.) Injection with Front Ends Open at the ESRF: Radiation Protection Aspects

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Scientists Take Giant Step Forward in Understanding Exotic Nuclei PhysOrg.com
Nanotech Discovery Could Lead to Spiderman Suit Wired

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View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

A Message from Bob McCallum and Kyle Turner Bob McCallum (left) and Kyle Turner. by Bob McCallum and Kyle Turner In his July 17, 2007 All Hands presentation to the SLAC staff, Jonathan Dorfan said: "World-class science requires world-class management and operations (M&O) support. We (SLAC) currently lack a portfolio of business and support systems whose excellence matches that of the science, and thus we are putting the achievement of our scientific and technology mission at risk." As you are aware, SLAC has asked us, McCallum-Turner Inc., to help the laboratory determine what changes are essential and also to help develop a staged implementation plan. To focus this process, we have targeted 11 specific areas of SLAC's M&O to examine further. A team of peers from across the country, each a subject matter expert in one of the 11 areas, has already begun this process. Their interface with the laboratory is through SLAC points of contact (POCs). Each POC is directly supported by a team from SLAC. Although we will research each of the 11 target areas extensively over the next several months, it is simply not possible for us to gain the depth of knowledge already held by those who work at the laboratory. Each employee is an expert who possesses a strong sense of what works and what needs improvement in his or her specific area. Because of this, we ask SLAC employees to offer their comments and suggestions on how M&O works (or doesn't work) in the areas where they have experience. Employees can contact us with ideas, comments or suggestions via email at mccallum.turner@slac.stanford.edu or by phone at (650) 926-6200. Alternatively, employees can contact the POC working in the area of their concerns. A list of POCs is available online. To help clarify matters, SLAC has created a Sharepoint website. This site contains status updates, information on how to contact each area's lead subject matter expert and POC, and further information of what each of the 11 areas encompasses. (Click on the links in the "SLAC M&O Points of Contact" box on the Sharepoint website for more information about each focus area.) Additionally, future articles published in SLAC Today will further discuss each area's focus. We hope that these tools will help make this process as comprehensive, inclusive, successful and rewarding as possible. We look forward to working with everyone at SLAC on this important project.

The Chemical Form of Mercury in the Fish We Eat by Yuji Arai Zooplankton, above, are an important link in the chain of how mercury gets into food. (Click on image for a diagram of the transfer process.) Mercury toxicity is an environmental concern in diverse aquatic systems because methylmercury enters the water column in a number of ways and then biomagnifies through food webs. Piscivorous fish at the top of many freshwater food webs (see diagram below) can then extend that trophic transfer and potential for neurotoxcity to wildlife and humans. Mining activities, particularly those associated with the San Francisco Bay region, can generate both point and non-point mercury sources. Largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass from Guadalupe Reservoir (GUA), California and Lahontan Reservoir (LAH), Nevada were analyzed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) to determine predominant chemical species of mercury accumulated by high-trophic-level piscivores that are exposed to elevated mercury in both solution and particulate phases in the water column. Both GUA and LAH are affected either directly or indirectly by the legacy of gold and silver mining in the Sierra Nevadas during the 19th century. Read more...	Something A-Maize-ing by Ken Kingery Angela Garcia with the corn she grew near SLAC's Heavy Fabrication Building. People passing by the southwest corner of the Heavy Fabrication Building this summer may have noticed a surprising juxtaposition: several stalks of corn growing in this otherwise industrial area. A small garden, which also includes bell pepper, pea, basil, and jalapeno pepper plants, has been cultivated there by SLAC employee Angela Garcia since late April. "The deer on site ate the bell pepper and pea plants," said Garcia. "They started to eat the jalapeno plants too, but stopped after a few bites." For whatever reason, the deer also stayed away from the stalks of corn. Garcia has harvested several ears along with many jalapeno peppers, and says they taste great. The vegetables grow in several plant boxes, one of which was already serendipitously sitting outside the Heavy Fabrication Building. Garcia got two more from fellow Mechanical Fabrication Department employees Craig Jordan and Eamon Lacey, who suggested she start the small garden project. "I figured, 'why not?'" said Garcia. "There's always room on the table for fresh veggies."	Events (see all \| submit) September 4: (3:30 p.m.) Injection with Front Ends Open at the ESRF: Radiation Protection Aspects Access (see all) Upcoming Traffic Disruption on Sec 30 Road Parking lot between B120 and B140 closed Alpine Gate & PEP Ring Road closed Gates 17 & 30 open 24-7 Research Yard bisected Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Influenza Vaccine Interlab 2007 Workshop, "Bringing the Art of Science to the Web" (Oct. 1-3, LANL) Stanford Benefits Offers Medical Plan Subsidy Community Bulletin Board All photos from Kids Day Now Online Attention all AT&T (formerly Cingular) customers News (see all \| submit) Scientists Take Giant Step Forward in Understanding Exotic Nuclei PhysOrg.com Nanotech Discovery Could Lead to Spiderman Suit Wired
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	Thursday - August 30, 2007