Honors & Awards Archives

2008

Joe Minervini Honored by American Nuclear Society

Joe Minervini honored by American Nuclear Society.

Joseph V. Minervini, Head of the Fusion Technology and Engineering Division of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, has received the 2008 Technical Accomplishment Award from the American Nuclear Society, Fusion Energy Division. Minervini was honored for technical accomplishments achieved in developing superconducting magnet technology for magnetic confinement fusion experiments; specifically for the development of large-scale cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) technology for the ITER magnets, as well as for the successful design, fabrication and testing of the Central Solenoid Model Coil for ITER, a joint international research and development project that aims to demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power.

Infinite Mile Awards, 2008

PSFC System Programmer/Analyst Mark London, and Senior Fiscal Officer Katherine Ware have been honored with 2008

Katherine Ware

Infinite Mile Awards.  The PSFC award is associated with the Offices of the Provost and the Vice President for Research and Associate Provost. According to their website the award “is designed to recognize those individuals or teams who have made extraordinary contributions within their own organizations to help the Institute carry out its mission: to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.”

http://web.mit.edu/vpr/www/infinitemile/about.html

The awards were presented at a faculty club luncheon on May 21. Program notes provide brief summaries of their strengths and abilities.

Mark London

Katherine Ware, Senior Fiscal Officer, Plasma Science and Fusion Center:  Katherine is an organized thinker with a keen mind for forecasting and for fiscal analysis.  She has the capacity to work rapidly in the face of time pressures without adversely affecting the quality of her work.  These traits became evident during the recent difficulties faced by the Center. We were fortunate to be able to rely on Katherine to help us through the critical times by providing analyses and scenarios to deal with the crisis. In addition to working long days, weekends, and evening, she provided solid leadership to a demoralized Fiscal Office.  Because of Katherine's expertise in fiscal matters she is frequently called upon to participate in working groups, pilot projects, and initiatives such as RAII.  Katherine consistently makes superior contributions to the smooth operation of PSFC.

Mark London, Systems Programmer/Analyst, Plasma Science and Fusion Center:  Mark always works behind the scenes quietly and with no fanfare and never brings attention to himself.  He works tirelessly to find a solution to any problem whether or not it is part of his official duties.  He will stay late and arrive early to insure that no stone is left unturned.  This time is in addition to the countless hours he spends working on PSFC tasks from home.  Mark is always there with his customary good humor, outstanding work ethic, and sound advice. Congratulations, Mark and Katherine!

Students honored for educational outreach

On June 23, graduate students gathered in NW17-218 for cake and icecream, a reward for a year of tours, talks and

Ken Marr received top honors for his educational outreach activities.

demonstrations to students, parents and the general public.  The PSFC counts on graduate students to help visiting groups learn about plasma and fusion research at the Center.  An educaton event could be as low key as walking an incoming freshman around the Alcator Control room, or as demanding as giving continuous 20 minute demonstrations to rotating groups of visitors.  The students who provide the greatest service over the year receive prizes, this year in the form of Tech Cash.

The grand winner this year was a tie between Alex Boxer (from LDX) and Ken Marr  (from C-Mod), both with 12 points. Points are awarded according to the demand level of the outreach. They were closely followed by Noah Smick (11 points), Jennifer Ellsworth and Istvan Cziegler (9 points), and Aaron Bader and Arturo Dominguez (6 points). 

Miklos Porkolab was on hand to present the awards and thank the students for their service. 

Professor Porkolab honored

Professor Miklos Porkolb

The Hungarian Nuclear Society awarded its first annual Karoly Simony Memorial Plaque and Prize to Miklos Porkolab, professor of physics and Director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. The prize, named in memory of Karoly Simony, the first Hungarian fusion research scientist, was awarded in recognition of Porkolab's "outstanding achievements and contributions to plasma physics and fusion research."