Gudmundur S. (Bo) Bodvarsson

Gudmundur S. (Bo) Bodvarsson

Gudmundur Svavar (Bo) Bodvarsson (November 11, 1952 – November 29, 2006) was director of the Laboratory’s Earth Sciences Division since 2001 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr. Bodvarsson was a pioneer in 3-D mathematical modeling of unsaturated zone flow and transport. He led efforts to ensure a Nevada desert mountain, Yucca Mountain, would be the federal government's proposed disposal site for high-level nuclear waste, could safely store the most radioactive nuclear wastes for tens of thousands of years (see Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository). He was a pioneer in many aspects of the management of the division, from the promotion of a safety culture to the strengthening of the intellectual depth and reach of Earth Sciences. He was especially admired for his honest and straightforward way of dealing with all people and how he was carrying out his vision for the Division, according to Berkeley Lab Director Steven Chu. As well, Bodvarsson published a number of popular and technical books on hydrology.