Office of Biological and Environmental Research
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Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, dedicated to advancing research in biological, atmospheric, and environmental sciences. BER's initiatives are crucial for understanding climate change, enhancing bioenergy, and managing environmental impacts of energy production.
Mission
The mission of the Office of Biological and Environmental Research is to support transformative science that leads to a predictive understanding of complex biological, earth, and environmental systems. This includes research in genomics to understand biological processes, climate modeling to predict environmental changes, and the study of ecosystems to address energy and infrastructure security.[1]
Parent organization
BER is part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, which oversees fundamental research programs to advance knowledge in the sciences related to energy.[2]
Legislation
BER operates under the general research mandate of the Department of Energy without specific founding legislation noted.
Partners
- National laboratories for collaborative research in environmental and biological sciences
- Universities for joint research projects
- International research institutions for global environmental studies
Number of employees
The exact employee count for BER isn't publicly specified, but it involves researchers, scientists, and administrative staff across various DOE facilities.
Organization structure
BER's structure includes:
- Biological Systems Science Division, focusing on genomics, systems biology, and biotechnology.
- Climate and Environmental Sciences Division, dealing with atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic systems.
Leader
BER is led by an Associate Director.[3]
Divisions
- Biological Systems Science
- Climate and Environmental Sciences
List of programs
Last total enacted budget
The specific budget for BER isn't detailed in public sources, but it's part of the DOE's Office of Science budget allocations.
Staff
Staff details for BER are not publicly specified, but it includes scientists, research coordinators, and support personnel.
Funding
Funding for BER comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's budget, focusing on research grants, facility operations, and development of new scientific capabilities.
Services provided
BER supports research in climate change, genomic science, environmental remediation, and biological systems. It operates user facilities like ARM and EMSL, where scientists can use advanced tools for studying biological and environmental systems.[4]
Regulations overseen
BER does not oversee regulations but contributes to policy through its research in areas like climate impact assessments and environmental science.
Headquarters address
1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA
History
BER's history dates back to the post-World War II era when it began as part of the Atomic Energy Commission's research into biological and environmental impacts of nuclear activities. Over the decades, it has evolved to address broader environmental and biological challenges, particularly those related to energy production and climate change.
External links
References
- ↑ Unknown (February 3, 2011). "BER Homepage". U.S. DOE Office of Science.
- ↑ Unknown (July 14, 2008). "Office of Science - Wikipedia". Wikipedia.
- ↑ Unknown (May 10, 2019). "BER News & Events". U.S. DOE Office of Science.
- ↑ Unknown (February 4, 2025). "BER Research". U.S. DOE Office of Science.