»Torrey Pines Gliderport, La Jolla ©Ron Prater«

Recent Research:

My research focuses on the application of dynamics and control theory to experimental plasma physics, primarily to address the challenges of fusion reactor design. I analyze the dynamics of complex plasma phenomena using applied mathematics and control theory with the aim of designing and implementing novel control techniques, which I then use to build real-time control systems from the ground up. Current research includes reduction of the heat flux to the fusion reactor vessel using advanced magnetic divertor configuration, detachment, and radiation control; and disruption avoidance against instabilities such as Neoclassical Tearing Modes and Resistive Wall Modes.

As a Research Scientist I worked at DIII-D Tokamak, at the General Atomics, located in San Diego. I led the tearing mode suppression and avoidance experiments. I developed scenarios and control for snowflake divertor control. In the boundary area, I developed detachment and radiation control.

In postdoctoral research at PPPL, I worked on plasma control at the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). I focused on the control of vertical-mode instabilities, shape control, “snowflake” control, and rotation control using neutral beams and non-axisymmetric coils, which apply neoclassical toroidal viscosity, as actuators.

My graduate thesis objective was to provide the dynamical framework for the next generation of space interferometers. Our group at Princeton, working with colleagues at the University of Colorado, developed a concept for a planet finding mission using a conventional telescope and multiple occulters to block the interfering light from the stars. I worked on the occulter spacecraft trajectory design, dynamics and control of formation and the global optimization of these types of telescopy missions.

Teaching:

MAE/APC-501, "Mathematical Methods of Engineering Analysis" Sep 2008 - Jan 2009, Sep 2009 - Jan 2010.

News:

I started my Assistant Professorship in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, jointly appointed with the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Sep 2014.

I will be an Invited Speaker at IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, flagship fusion/plasma conference held every two years, Oct 2014.

I gave an Oral Presentation at the Interational Conference on Plasma Surface Interactions (PSI), Kanazawa, Japan, May 2014.

Check out the new ITER Promotion video below. At 5:10, right after what you may mistake for a Russian missile attack on the USA, you can see me working at DIII-D.

I was an Invited Speaker at MHD Workshop, Santa Fe, Nov 2013.

I was an Invited Speaker at the Radiofrequency Power in Plasmas, Sorrento, Italy, June 2013.

I was an Invited Speaker at IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, flagship fusion/plasma conference held every two years, Oct 2012.

I was a co-recipient of the R&D Magazine’s prestigious R&D Top 100 for my contribution to the “snowflake power divertor” Jun 2012.

Moving to San Diego to work at DIII-D Nov 2011.

Became a Research Scientist at PPPL Oct 2011.

Defended my PhD and became a Postdoc at PPPL, Sep 2008.

Princeton launches campaign to raise $1.75 billion over the next five years:
I am proud to be in the campaign promotion video, Aspire: A Plan for Princeton, posted below (at 1:22 and 3:00 sec). Nov 2007.

Princeton gives highest awards to top students:
"Princeton University recognized the winners of the highest honors it awards to students at Alumni Day ceremonies." Feb 2007.

Engineering students win Princeton's top grad and undergrad honors:
"Two Princeton Engineering students were among the winners of the highest honors Princeton awards to students" Feb 2007.

I am awarded the Porter Ogden Jacobus Honorific Fellowship.
"The Jacobus Fellowship is the highest honorific fellowship awarded by the Graduate School", ... "reserved for two to four students who, in the judgment of the University faculty, demonstrate the highest scholarly excellence." Jun 2006.

Engineering enthusiasm: Workshops add variety to summer research experience:
"Egemen Kolemen showed the undergraduates the ins and outs of MATLAB, a piece of software commonly used in scientific research." Aug 2006.

Visited Prof. Jerrold E. Marsden's group at Caltech, California Institute of Technology to conduct research on the control and dynamics of NWD. Apr-Jun 2006.

Visited Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, to conduct research on numerical methods to find invariant manifolds with Prof. Pini Gurfil. Feb-Mar 2006.