Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) was established on July 1, 1983, when the Radiation Biology Laboratory was merged with the Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies.

The history of the Radiation Biology Laboratory (RBL) can be traced to May 1, 1929, when the Division of Radiation and Organisms was established by Secretary Charles G. Abbot. Initially funded mostly by the Research Corporation, the Division's purpose was to undertake investigations of the effect of radiation on living organisms. In 1941, the Division was administratively placed under the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Staff in charge of the Division included Frederick S. Brackett, Research Associate in Charge, 1929-1930, and Chief, 1931-1932; Charles G. Abbot, Director, 1933-1941; Earl S. Johnston, Assistant Director in Charge, 1941-1948; Robert B. Withrow, Chief, 1948-1958; and William H. Klein, Acting Chief, 1958-1959, and Chief, 1959-1965.

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