A consortium of New Mexico universities led by the University of New Mexico and including New Mexico State University and New Mexico Tech is part of the team that has been awarded the contract to run Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced in Washington D.C. Wednesday that Los Alamos National Security LLC (LANS), a limited liability corporation made up of the University of California, Bechtel National, BWX Technologies and the Washington Group will manage and operate LANL for the next seven years. The New Mexico Consortium exclusively supported the UC-led bid.
UNM will play a leadership role in the research and educational activities of the laboratory, but not in the day-to-day operation of the facility.
“The University of New Mexico is pleased to lead the consortium of New Mexico universities that will partner with the LANS to promote excellence in science, technology and education at LANL,” said UNM President Louis Caldera. “There is no question that this collaboration will be highly beneficial for New Mexico and will serve the nation well.”
The New Mexico research universities will form an Institute for Advanced Studies that will provide the basis for cooperative research in the scientific, technical and educational aspects of the LANL operation.
“This result will allow LANL and New Mexico Universities to work far more closely together than in the past, and to establish joint centers, have more joint appointments, and provide numerous opportunities for students and faculty to work in world class collaborations.” said Terry Yates, UNM vice president of Research and Economic Development.
Contacts: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; email: kwent2@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at December 21, 2005 03:07 PM