New York State Governor Kathy Hochul visited Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on Jan. 21 and toured its new Laboratory for BioMolecular Structure (LBMS), which has conducted game-changing research to overcome the COVID pandemic.
Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis introduced the governor at her press conference following the tour, noting that the lab’s National Synchrotron Light Source II supports the work of more than 100 research groups and 200 Stony Brook faculty and students, who conduct world-class research in partnership with BNL scientists. LBMS is attached to the National Synchrotron Light Source II and was funded with $15 million from Empire State Development.
“Governor, using the Cryo-Electron microscopes at BNL’s Laboratory for BioMolecular Structure, we are proud and deeply grateful to have been able to assist the state and your efforts in finding the answers that now help protect so many people not only here in New York, and throughout our country, but around the world — research and results that have been so desperately needed during this pandemic,” McInnis said. “Whether it be COVID or so many other challenges, including creating sustainable and renewable energy technologies or developing innovative ways to deliver on New York State’s climate goals, our partnership with the state is making a world of difference today and into the future.”
Stony Brook co-manages Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy — one of only eight universities in the country with a role in running a federal research laboratory.
Governor Hochul delivered her weekly COVID update while at the lab, noting that the state’s seven-day average dropped to below 10 percent for the first time since Dec. 20, as cases decline in all regions. “I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to get where we are in fighting this winter surge,” said Hochul, who also announced 17 new #VaxforKids pop-up vaccination sites aimed at increasing vaccination rates among children and adolescents. A total of 80 sites will be established over a six-week period statewide.
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