People: Marco Ajello Explores New Worlds

Ajello poses on his bike at Streets of Willow Spring, where he was attending the California Superbike School. (He wore a helmet and other protective gear for the actual riding).
(Photo courtesy Marco Ajello.)

by Catherine Meyers

Marco Ajello can easily avoid boredom; he has a long list of unanswered questions handy. Since coming to SLAC two years ago, the KIPAC astrophysicist has studied mysteries related to galaxy clusters, black hole-powered active galactic nuclei and high-energy plasma jets.

Recently Ajello worked on a team that used the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to analyze the gamma-ray emissions from sources outside our galaxy. The team found that jets from active galaxies, a known source of gamma-ray emissions, could account for less than one-third of the total emissions. The origin of the other two-thirds remains a mystery, and a perfect source of more unanswered questions for Ajello's list. Read more...

There's a Whole New Spot Award Program on the Horizon

from the Human Resources department

In response to Pause input, the SLAC leadership team has been working on ways to give our employees immediate recognition and appreciation for exceptional work.

Together, SLAC management and the Human Resources department have come up with a revised Spot Award program that provides a simple and expedient way to immediately recognize and reward employees for performance, behavior or accomplishments that contribute to achieving the vision, mission and values at SLAC. Managers and supervisors throughout the lab will be awarding Spot Awards redeemable for $25 gift cards to Target, the Stanford Bookstore or Cinemark Movie Theatre. Managers can award up to 2 gift cards at one time. Read more...

Unauthorized Commitments and Ratifications

from the SLAC Procurement Department

Here at SLAC there has been a recent spike in what are called "unauthorized commitments"—written or oral commitments to buy goods or services, made by someone who lacks procurement authority to commit SLAC funds. As a reminder, SLAC procurement specialists are the only individuals who may commit Department of Energy funds at SLAC. Commitments made by individuals without delegated authority to commit DOE funds will be subject to the Unauthorized Commitment Ratification process to determine whether they would otherwise have been proper and in the best interest of the SLAC. In the event that the commitment is not ratified (that is, approved), the person who created the unauthorized commitment may be held personally liable for vendor payment. Read more...

(Photo by Lori Ann White.)

Seen around SLAC: Giving Trees and Food Barrels

by Lori Ann White

SLAC's annual holiday food and toy drives are winding down, but there are still a few days left to help spread the holiday cheer.

The Family Giving Tree campaign officially ends on December 10. Find a tag on a tree near you to give a child in need a holiday gift. If you've taken a tag, please bring in your gift by Friday.

The Second Harvest Food Bank drive ends at end-of-day December 15. Several half-empty barrels are located around the SLAC campus (see link for locations). Please add your donations of non-perishables so that half-empty barrels become full barrels, which lead to full tummies at Christmas.

You can also donate used, clean coats and jackets until December 17. Drop them off with Kay Ganapathi in Building 280, Room 132 or call extension 4157 for more information.

Events

Today (1:30 p.m.) Theory Seminar: Metaphor for Dark Energy

Access (see all)

Announcements
(see all | submit)

Lab Announcements

Community Bulletin Board

Training (see all | register)

Lab Training

Calendar
Registration

Today (10:00 a.m.)
Rad Worker Practical

Upcoming Workshops & Classes

Jan 10 (1:30 p.m.) Project Mgmt Training I, Session One
Jan 20 (1:30 p.m.) Project Mgmt Training I, Session Two

News (submit)

Akatsuki Mission Goes AWOL Sky & Telescope
Book Review: Edward Teller Biography Nature News
Dancing Stars Turn on the Red Light Nature News

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %>

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

People: Marco Ajello Explores New Worlds Ajello poses on his bike at Streets of Willow Spring, where he was attending the California Superbike School. (He wore a helmet and other protective gear for the actual riding). (Photo courtesy Marco Ajello.) by Catherine Meyers Marco Ajello can easily avoid boredom; he has a long list of unanswered questions handy. Since coming to SLAC two years ago, the KIPAC astrophysicist has studied mysteries related to galaxy clusters, black hole-powered active galactic nuclei and high-energy plasma jets. Recently Ajello worked on a team that used the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to analyze the gamma-ray emissions from sources outside our galaxy. The team found that jets from active galaxies, a known source of gamma-ray emissions, could account for less than one-third of the total emissions. The origin of the other two-thirds remains a mystery, and a perfect source of more unanswered questions for Ajello's list. Read more... There's a Whole New Spot Award Program on the Horizon from the Human Resources department In response to Pause input, the SLAC leadership team has been working on ways to give our employees immediate recognition and appreciation for exceptional work. Together, SLAC management and the Human Resources department have come up with a revised Spot Award program that provides a simple and expedient way to immediately recognize and reward employees for performance, behavior or accomplishments that contribute to achieving the vision, mission and values at SLAC. Managers and supervisors throughout the lab will be awarding Spot Awards redeemable for $25 gift cards to Target, the Stanford Bookstore or Cinemark Movie Theatre. Managers can award up to 2 gift cards at one time. Read more... Unauthorized Commitments and Ratifications from the SLAC Procurement Department Here at SLAC there has been a recent spike in what are called "unauthorized commitments"—written or oral commitments to buy goods or services, made by someone who lacks procurement authority to commit SLAC funds. As a reminder, SLAC procurement specialists are the only individuals who may commit Department of Energy funds at SLAC. Commitments made by individuals without delegated authority to commit DOE funds will be subject to the Unauthorized Commitment Ratification process to determine whether they would otherwise have been proper and in the best interest of the SLAC. In the event that the commitment is not ratified (that is, approved), the person who created the unauthorized commitment may be held personally liable for vendor payment. Read more... (Photo by Lori Ann White.) Seen around SLAC: Giving Trees and Food Barrels by Lori Ann White SLAC's annual holiday food and toy drives are winding down, but there are still a few days left to help spread the holiday cheer. The Family Giving Tree campaign officially ends on December 10. Find a tag on a tree near you to give a child in need a holiday gift. If you've taken a tag, please bring in your gift by Friday. The Second Harvest Food Bank drive ends at end-of-day December 15. Several half-empty barrels are located around the SLAC campus (see link for locations). Please add your donations of non-perishables so that half-empty barrels become full barrels, which lead to full tummies at Christmas. You can also donate used, clean coats and jackets until December 17. Drop them off with Kay Ganapathi in Building 280, Room 132 or call extension 4157 for more information.	Events Today (1:30 p.m.) Theory Seminar: Metaphor for Dark Energy Access (see all) Driveway Access at Bldgs. 28, 26 Loop Road Closure Parking Lot A Construction RSB Project Info and Updates Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Shipping & Receiving, Stores and Procurement Availability during the Holiday Shutdown Director's Work Group Meetings Dec 6-8 Property Control Honor Roll Payroll Calendar Year-End Reminders Community Bulletin Board Stanford BeWell: What's New in 2011 SLAC Logo Sweatshirts Holiday Discount Family Giving Tree Drive Second Harvest Food Drive SLAC Holiday Party Dec. 15 Training (see all \| register) Lab Training Calendar Registration Today (10:00 a.m.) Rad Worker Practical Upcoming Workshops & Classes Jan 10 (1:30 p.m.) Project Mgmt Training I, Session One Jan 20 (1:30 p.m.) Project Mgmt Training I, Session Two News (submit) Akatsuki Mission Goes AWOL Sky & Telescope Book Review: Edward Teller Biography Nature News Dancing Stars Turn on the Red Light Nature News
	Flea Market Linear Café Menu Employee Milestones Search the Archives Subscribe non-SLAC e-mail Send Us Your Feedback

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %> View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.