Nicole Jenkins joined
the BNL Police Group in October 2007. Asked why she
decided to take a job at Brookhaven Lab, Jenkins said
she had heard from friends and relatives who work at the
Lab that BNL is one of the best employers on Long Island
with a top-notch police force.
"I knew I had something to offer the Lab's police
force - my enthusiasm and my sense of responsibility,"
she said. Jenkins, who said she has worked hard to excel
at her training, is impressed by the Lab's training
requirements, which she feels will help her to become
one of those top-notch officers.
"I have already learned so much, and I already love
this job," she said.
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Lazaro Vazquez, a
systems management professional, has traveled the world,
first with the U.S. Navy and then as an infrastructure
architect for major companies. He chose the opportunity
to work for the Laboratory's Information Technology
Division and stay close to his home in Bohemia, NY.
"I felt very welcomed at Brookhaven," he said.
"People here see the human side of work. They worry
about safety, for example. Back in the corporate world,
that's not necessarily true." Vazquez said he is
particularly honored to be able to contribute to the
important work being done at Brookhaven.
"There is so much potential in this scientific
community to do something big for the world," he said.
"Even though I don't work on the science front, I'm
helping to make sure the scientists can do their jobs. I
feel like I'm part of a bigger picture, helping to keep
the science going."
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Jacob Hooker, had two
goals after receiving his Ph.D. in organic chemistry
from the University of California at Berkeley: to find
his perfect job, and to compete in an Ironman
competition.
During the day Hooker spends his time developing
novel methods to label molecules that can be used for
neuroimaging to study root causes of addiction. "To
synthesize a molecule and then visualize it in living
systems is very seductive," said Hooker. "BNL is one of
the few places in the world where this can be done. I'm
already finding the work challenging and rewarding."
When he isn't working with molecules, Hooker trains
for long distance triathlon competitions, also known as
the "Ironman."
"Besides the self-satisfaction of completing the
triathlon, I have a group of friends who also
participate and we have a sort of personal competition
among ourselves. It's all about getting together,
cheering each other on, and having fun."
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