23 November, 2005 (To download a print-quality photo files of Dr. Hahm and Mr. Reiersen, go to the end of this article.)

PPPL Honors Researchers Hahm and Reiersen

Dr. T.S. Hahm                    Mr. W. Reiersen

Plainsboro, New Jersey — The U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) honored two researchers, Taik Soo Hahm and Wayne Reiersen, during a ceremony at the Laboratory on Tuesday, November 22. Hahm, a physicist, received the Kaul Prize for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research and Technology Development. Reiersen, an engineer, is this year's PPPL Distinguished Engineering Fellow. Hahm Hahm was cited for his analysis of plasma simulations and measurements in fusion energy research. Plasma is a hot, gaseous state of matter used as the fuel to produce fusion energy — the power source of the sun and the stars. PPPL Director Rob Goldston said, "Taik Soo has been a world leader bringing analytic theory to bear on understanding both massive computational and detailed experimental results in the area of fusion plasma turbulence." Hahm is the Head of the Transport and Turbulence Science Focus Group at PPPL and the group leader in analytic theory at the Laboratory's Theory Department. He joined PPPL's research staff in 1986 after receiving a B.S. in physics from the Seoul National University in Korea in 1980 and a Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 1984, and working for two years as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. He was elected a Fellow of American Physical Society in 1995. Hahm lives in West Windsor Township. Princeton University awards the Kaul Prize to recognize a recent outstanding technical achievement in plasma physics or technology development by a full-time, regular employee of PPPL. It includes a cash award of $2,000 for each individual. Nominations for the award are submitted to the Prize Selection Committee, which includes the Princeton University Provost, the Chair of the Princeton University Research Board, the PPPL Director, PPPL Deputy Director, and PPPL Chief Scientist. This is the eighth time the prize has been given. Former PPPL Director Ronald C. Davidson endowed the Kaul Prize by giving to Princeton University a portion of the gift he received as the 1993 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Science, Education, and Physics from the Kaul Foundation. Reiersen Reiersen was cited for his technical and leadership contributions to many machine design studies, most notably the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX). NCSX is a fusion experiment currently under construction at PPPL. "Wayne brings a high level of discipline and careful thinking to our projects, and the success of NCSX construction has depended greatly on his insights," said Director Goldston. Reiersen, who has 20 years of experience in the design of magnetic fusion energy systems, is the Engineering Manager for NCSX, and Branch Head for Engineering Analysis at PPPL. Prior to joining the Laboratory in 1984, he worked at Grumman Aerospace Corporation. Reiersen received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1976 and a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1984. He lives in Montgomery Township. The Distinguished Research and Engineering Fellow Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, was created to recognize members of the Laboratory's research staff, as well as engineering and scientific staff, for their accomplishments. Fellows receive one-time gifts of $5,000 and qualify for priority in regard to their research and engineering programs. PPPL, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University, is a collaborative national center for science and innovation leading to an attractive fusion energy source. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and the stars. In the interior of stars, matter is converted into energy by the fusion, or joining, of the nuclei of light atoms to form heavier elements. End For further information, please contact: Anthony R. DeMeo Head, Information Services Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (609) 243-2755 ademeo@pppl.gov Patricia Wieser Information Services Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (609) 243-2757 pwieser@pppl.gov Downloadable print-quality photo of: Dr. T.S. Hahm Resolution is 300 dpi, print size is approximately 4.7 inches wide by 7 inches high, file type is jpeg, and file size is 3.1 MB. Photo by Elle Starkman. Mr. W. Reiersen Resolution is 300 dpi, print size is approximately 3.6 inches wide by 4.6 inches high, file type is jpeg, and file size is 1.1 MB. Photo by Elle Starkman.

PPPL is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University.

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Created: 30 November 2005 Send questions or comments to: Anthony R. DeMeo at ademeo@pppl.gov