PPPL honors two researchers

Two researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Taik Soo Hahm and Wayne Reiersen, have been honored for their achievements in the field.

Hahm has been awarded the Kaul Prize for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research and Technology Development. He was cited for his analysis of plasma simulations and measurements in fusion energy research.

Hahm is the head of the transport and turbulence science focus group at the PPPL and the group leader in analytic theory at the laboratory's theory department. He joined the PPPL's research staff in 1986, two years after receiving his Ph.D. in astrophysical sciences from Princeton.

The Kaul Prize recognizes a recent outstanding technical achievement in plasma physics or technology development by a full-time, regular employee of the PPPL. The annual award includes a $2,000 cash prize.

Reiersen was named a PPPL Distinguished Engineering Fellow for his technical and leadership contributions to many machine design studies, most notably the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX).

Reiersen is the engineering manager for the NCSX fusion experiment project and branch head for engineering analysis at the PPPL. He joined the PPPL staff in 1984.

The distinguished fellow program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, was created to recognize members of the PPPL staff for their accomplishments. Fellows receive one-time gifts of $5,000 and qualify for priority in regard to their research and engineering programs.

The plasma physics laboratory, funded by the Department of Energy and managed by the University, is a collaborative national center for science and innovation leading to an attractive fusion energy source.