Biography

I am an assistant professor at the College of William and Mary in the Applied Science department. My research focuses on magnetic confinement fusion plasmas, where I let experimental results guide my understanding of the physics. To test the physics interpretation from experiments, I employ or develop numerical tools based on analytic theories to compare to experiments. These validated simulations then allow me to make predictions for future burning plasma conditions.

I obtained my PhD. from UCSD in 2011, by conducting research at the DIII-D tokamak facility. I performed experiments, developed and ran simulations to better understand how the introduction of 3D magnetic field structures affects particle transport in a typically axisymmetric system. I joined W&M as research faculty in 2011, where I continued my research on plasma physics. I focus on understanding turbulence, transport, from a core-edge integration perspective in magnetically confined plasmas. My group conducts experiments world-wide and performs and develops complex simulations to compare to experimental observations.

As a mechanical engineer with a speciality in energy sciences, I also have a strong interest in energy in a broader context as well as fluid dynamics. Fluids and plasmas share a lot of similar features, but plasmas add a level of complexity due to the nature of consisting of charged particles, so that the effects of electric and magnetic fields need to be included. A good insight in fluids is of tremendous help in understanding some of the concepts in plasma physics. While fusion is still far in the future, the generation and use of energy in our daily lives along with the impact on the environment play an important role in politics as well as business choices. As such I am interested in the impact our choices have locally as well as globally and hope to pass this enthousiam along to students.