Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

In this contribution, we present recent results related to the quadrupole collectivity in neutron rich carbon isotopes. B(E2) transitions strengths derived from lifetime measurements are interpreted in a seniority scheme, indicating an increase role of proton excitations due to the reduction of the p3=2-p1=2 spin-orbit splitting. We also discuss the evolution of the N = 40 shell closure with isospin and report on preliminary results of Coulomb Excitation experiments on 66;68Fe and 64Cr. Finally, a short review of the gamma-ray tracking technique and a status report of GRETINA are presented. Some aspects of the exciting physics campaign being carried out at NSCL/MSU are discussed.