As we move forward, we must address several important challenges, including rebuilding employee morale and continuing to recruit the very best scientists to our labs. At the same time, we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our continuing commitment to superb science and strong security in the national interest. The Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories are among the great scientific centers of the world. We at the University of California are proud of our long association with the labs and are eager to open the next chapter of our history together. Distinguished Bell Labs scientist joining Los Alamos One of the leading researchers in solid state and materials physics will be joining the Laboratory later this year.
Materials research is critical to the success of our programmatic activities.
He is the kind of strategic hire who will carry on this Laboratory's tradition as one of the nation's preeminent scientific labs. Art is an authority in his field and we look forward to his continued scholarship and leadership. I believe that Los Alamos represents one of only a few places in the country with the capabilities needed to be the leader in solid-state sciences, as well as in thermal and fluid science. It's a world-class operation and I look forward to being a part of it. Ramirez will be directing the research efforts of the approximately 45 personnel in Condensed Matter and Thermal Physics.