The next president as well as the director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory is selected by the Board of Directors of Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA). It will be the first lady director named JoAnne Hewett. BSA made a partnership with Stony Brook University (SBU) and Battle and establish a Brookhaven Lab for DOE’s Office of Science.
She will also be appointed as the professor in SBU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and professor at SBU’s C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics.
“JoAnne has a strong research background and extensive experience as a scientist and leader,” said DOE Office of Science Director Asmeret Asefaw Berhe. “She is a great choice to advance the Department of Energy’s priorities at Brookhaven—from fundamental breakthroughs to applications that improve people’s lives each and every day.”
Hewett was closed after a long time search you can say nearly after one year. Because in March 2022 Current Brookhaven Lab Director Doon Gibbs announced his retirement plan as he lead the Lab for a decade.
Hewett worked at SLCA National Acceleratory in Menlo Park, CA in the post of associate lab director (ALD) for fundamental physics and chief research officer. She also worked as a professor of physics and astrophysics at SLAC/Stanford University.
“JoAnne brings vital experience and proven leadership skills to further Brookhaven Lab’s game-changing discoveries and innovative breakthroughs that benefit science and society,” said Maurie McInnis, president, of Stony Brook University, and co-chair, of the BSA Board of Directors.
“As Brookhaven advances major projects, expands its mission, and further modernizes its campus where scientists are solving the most urgent challenges of our time, we are pleased to welcome her as the Lab’s next director.”
“We are so excited to welcome JoAnne Hewett as the next director of Brookhaven National Laboratory,” said BSA Board co-chair Mark Peters, executive vice president for national laboratory management and operations at Battelle. “Her outstanding scientific credentials and management and leadership skills will lead the Lab to new heights of scientific discovery and impactful science and technology in service of our nation.”
In 2022, Brookhaven Lab celebrated its 75th anniversary. It’s a 5,322-acre property in eastern Long Island and is the main center of attraction for scientists in the whole world. Here they get expertise and access offer to use unique Lewis facilities.
Brookhaven handles several guest researchers and other faculty users from universities, private industry, and government agencies, though DOE only has a multi-program lab in the northern part of the U.S.Brookhaven’s budget is also nearly $700 million every year which is much more than the budget of DOE and the Office of Science.
Here Hewett will supervise a big team of 2800 members including scientists, engineers, technicians, and others, who worked on different projects like challenges in nuclear and high energy physics, clean energy and climate science, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, photon sciences, isotope production, accelerator science and technology, and national security.
“I am honored to take on the role of laboratory director at Brookhaven, a truly exceptional national laboratory with a rich history and a talented and dedicated staff,” said Hewett. “The Lab has an extremely bright future, one that will help solve some of the greatest scientific challenges facing the world today.”
JoAnne Hewett, #BrookhavenNationalLab‘s first woman director, is known for her work studying extra spatial dimensions, the theory that there may be additional layers of space and time beyond what is currently known or observable. https://t.co/rnEVhZYgGr
— Carl MacGowan (@CarlMacGowan) April 10, 2023
As Gibbs will be retiring on 17 April 2023, and Hewett will be joining this summer, but no exact date will be announced. So, Jack Anderson will be overseas the work till Hewett comes to her duty. The current ALD for Facilities and Operations will be served by Tom Daniel, as interim deputy director for operations and Anderson appointed as the interim director role.
“I am grateful to Doon for his outstanding leadership of Brookhaven and his long legacy of building and strengthening the Lab for advancing scientific discovery,” said Hewett.
“I am excited to realize the truly ambitious array of projects here, launch innovative, world-leading science programs, expand the diversity of the Brookhaven community, and continue to strengthen our ties to New York State and our partner universities.”
Congratulations to JoAnne Hewett on becoming the new director of @BrookhavenLab — the first woman to hold this critical role!
I know under her leadership, Brookhaven will continue to advance cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of New Yorkers. https://t.co/kDnAb1pjhC
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 11, 2023
Governor Kathy Hochul added, “Brookhaven National Laboratory plays an important role in advancing science and engineering both nationally and here in New York, and I’m confident that JoAnne Hewett will be a great addition as the newest director.”
“JoAnne is not only incredibly qualified and talented, but will also make history as the first woman to serve in this critical role. The Lab has developed innovative ways to deliver on New York’s top priorities, from battling the disease to acting on climate, that is making a difference today and for the future of New York.
I look forward to working with JoAnne Hewett in her new role as Brookhaven continues to advance cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
She will also present at the farewell hiring decision for the deputy director for science and technology, which is overseas now by Robert Tribble. His replacement is coming close as he served for eight years now step down from the post. To get more current information you can follow us on our Facebook page.