Top five takeaways from our Nobel Day celebration

In celebration of Nobel Day, Sanford Lab hosted Dr. Michael Witherell, laboratory director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). As the speaker for the Nobel Day edition of Deep Talks, Witherell presented on South Dakota’s own Nobel Laureate Ernest O. Lawrence, who won the 1939 Nobel Prize in Physics for his invention of the cyclotron. 

Witherell’s talk focused on the connections between Lawrence’s innovative science then and ongoing research today, globally and at Sanford Lab. Here are our top five highlights of the presentation. 

1. Lawrence, the founder of Berkeley Lab, valued basic science outreach and education. To prove it, Witherell shared a black-and-white video in which Lawrence uses a mechanical model, complete with marbles and a “target” to demonstrate the idea behind his Nobel Prize-winning invention.
2. The invention of the cyclotron marked the birth of subatomic physics. From the existence of the proton, quarks and gluons to the discovery of the Higgs Boson — it all started with Lawrence.
3. Lawrence was the originator of team science. One photo shared by Witherell featured researchers who would go on to perpetuate his legacy of team-driven science in the United States, founding what would become the national laboratory system.
4. The work done by Lawrence and his brother John advanced medical technologies. Today, thousands of cyclotrons operate, mostly for medical uses.
5. The field of science is evolving. In one photo shared by Witherell, an iconic building that housed Lawrence’s largest particle accelerator is now home to the Advanced Light Source, which provides multiple extremely bright sources of intense and coherent short-wavelength light for use in scientific experiments by researchers from around the world.

Watch the full video here:

CORES Award

At the event, Sanford Lab also presented the 2019 CORES Award to South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Steven Rokusek. 

Steven Rokusek receives the 2019 CORES Award on Friday, Dec. 13, at Nobel Day. From left: Mike Headley, Steven Rokusek and Constance Walter. Photo by Nick Hubbard

“The Sanford Lab is a premier institute known worldwide for its advancement of science,” Rokusek said after learning he was receiving the award. “I am very excited and also humbled that the Sanford Lab has selected me to receive this award.”   

The CORES Award is given annually to an individual, group, business or organization that supports Communication and OutReach Experiences in Science within the region. The recipient is selected by a committee that takes into consideration ongoing support of science education—whether through sponsorships or service—a passion for science education and a visible commitment to science outreach in the region. 

“Steve fully embodies the qualities we are seeking,” said Constance Walter, Sanford Lab communications director. “His passion for science is infectious, and his commitment to education is commendable. We are very proud to give this award to such a deserving person.”