January Jumpstart

About January Jumpstart

Begin 2026 with Berkeley Lab's first January Jumpstart, a special weeklong series designed to help you start your year smarter. Each day during the week of January 12th there will be two half-hour sessions on different technologies, packed with practical, time-saving tips and expert demos focused on the Lab’s most popular online tools. From Google Workspace and the latest cyber security tips to learning how to work with CSO and Support Systems, January Jumpstart sessions will help you kick off 2026 with the skills and confidence to make technology work for you.

Each January Jumpstart session is designed to be short, interactive, and useful—offering real-world solutions you can apply immediately. So grab the calendar invite, and learn how to make 2026 your most productive year yet!

January Jumpstart Schedule

This weeklong virtual training series focuses on smart productivity tips to help you get more done with greater ease. These half-hour, easy-to-digest yet impactful seminars will highlight how to get the most out of Google Workspace tools. In addition, IT experts from key groups including Collaboration, Cyber Security, Support Systems, CSO, ScienceIT, and more will share great ways to get the most out of your IT tools at the Lab. If you have specific questions for the specific tracks you can add them here.

Following is the agenda with links to calendar invites, so you won’t miss a single day of learning:

NOTE: Each day's tracks are in one 1-hour calendar Zoom invite. Feel free to hop on at 2:00 PM for the first track or 2:30 PM for the second track, or stay for the whole hour! All the tracks will be recorded with links added to this page. 

Monday, Jan. 12: Google Workspace Day 1 (link to calendar invite)

2:00 PM: Google Workspace Tips: Google Sheets with Derrick Johnson

Google Sheets is a powerful, flexible tool that makes it easy to organize data, automate workflows, and collaborate in real time. Join our webinar to discover new tips, tricks, and features that can help you work smarter and get more out of this popular Google Workspace app.

2:30 PM: Google Workspace Tips: Smart Chips with David Huynh

Smart Chips bring your documents to life by connecting people, files, events, and data directly inside Google Workspace apps. In this session, you’ll learn tips and tricks to use Smart Chips to streamline workflows, reduce manual steps, and make your content more interactive and powerful.

Tuesday, January 13: Google Workspace Day 2 (link to calendar invite)

2:00 PM: Google Workspace Tips: Gemini with Adam Stone

Gemini brings AI-powered assistance directly into Google Workspace, helping you write, analyze, organize, and create faster than ever. In this track, you’ll learn practical tips and tricks to get the most out of Gemini so you can work smarter, boost productivity, and unlock new ways to collaborate.

2:30 PM: Google Workspace Tips: Gems & Opal with Luis Corrales

Gems and Opal put powerful AI capabilities at your fingertips, helping you automate tasks, surface insights, and customize your workflows across Google Workspace. In this track, you’ll discover tips and tricks to get the most out of these tools so you can work more efficiently and tailor your experience to what you need most.

Wednesday, January 14: Google Workspace Day 3 (link to calendar invite)

2:00 PM: Google Workspace Tips: Studio (a.k.a. Flows) with Adam Stone

Flows helps you automate multi-step processes across Google Workspace, turning repetitive tasks into smooth, reliable workflows. In this track, you’ll learn practical tips and tricks to harness the power of Flows so you can save time, reduce errors, and keep your work moving effortlessly.

2:30PM Wednesday, Jan. 14: Google Workspace Tips: Chat with Kahefe Haseen Fatima

Google Chat brings teams together with fast, organized communication that integrates seamlessly with the rest of Google Workspace. In this track, you’ll explore tips and tricks to use Chat more effectively so you can collaborate smoothly, stay organized, and keep projects moving forward.

Thursday, January 15: Cyber Security & CSO (link to calendar invite)

2:00 PM: Cyber Security & Passkeys AMA with Jay Kraus

Berkeley Lab continues to strengthen its cyber security posture with modern tools and practices that protect our people, data, and research from evolving threats. This track offers an open-ended Q&A session with Jay, covering the latest phishing scams to watch for and answering your questions about passkeys, the Lab's simpler, more secure, and phishing-resistant alternative to passwords.

2:30 PM: New Ways to work with CSO with Caitlin Youngquist

Creative Services Office (CSO) has been the power behind the Berkeley Lab brand for over two decades. This track will go over some new offerings and ways of working with the CSO team to help you fulfill your design needs with greater efficiency.

Friday, January 16: Cborg & New IT Support Portal (link to calendar invite)

2:00 PM: What’s new with Cborg with Andy Schmeder

Cborg, Berkeley Lab’s official AI tool, has been a great resource for many in 2025 and it continues to get better every month. This class will feature the newest ways to use Cborg as well as some key updates that may be new to you.

2:30 PM: IT Support Portal “Freddy knows IT” with Tap. L.

The new IT Support portal has a new look and feel and is the one tool that everyone at the Lab should know how to use just in case you’re having trouble with your IT or as manager to help make onboarding your new hire.

January Jumpstart Recordings

Starting in February 2026, you'll be able to check out the recordings of the January Jumpstart session here throughout the year. 

Have an idea for the next Jumpstart or feedback?

• Email labtech@lbl.gov with your suggestions.