14 June 2005 (To download a print-quality photo file of Dr. Qin, go to the end of this article.)

PPPL Scientist Hong Qin Receives Presidential Award Qin Also Given Department of Energy Award

Plainsboro, New Jersey — Princeton scientist Hong Qin received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Monday, June 13. Qin, a physicist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), was among 58 researchers supported by eight federal departments and agencies who received the award. The Presidential award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent careers. Each Presidential award winner received a citation, a plaque, and a commitment for continued funding of their work from their agency for five years. John H. Marburger III, Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented the awards. Qin also received the DOE's Office of Science Early Career Scientist and Engineer Award at a separate ceremony Monday, June 13, at DOE Headquarters. He was among six from DOE national laboratories to receive the Office of Science honors, as well as the Presidential award. "The Department of Energy is proud that these researchers are making important contributions, in a wide range of fields, to innovation and technology for energy, economic and national security," Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman said. "If the outstanding efforts of these scientists and engineers are any indication of the future, I have no doubt they will ensure America's scientific leadership far into the next century." Both the Presidential and DOE awards cite Qin for his contributions to the physics of high-intensity particle beams, with application to ion-beam fusion energy, and for his work on electromagnetic effects in magnetically confined plasmas, with application to magnetic fusion energy. Plasma is a hot, ionized gas used as the fuel for the production of fusion energy. After receiving a B.S. and an M.S. in Space Physics from Beijing University in 1990 and 1993, respectively, Qin went on to receive an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 1997 and 1998, respectively. He conducted post-doctoral research at PPPL before joining the research staff in 2000. Presently, he is a Research Physicist in PPPL's Theory Department and the Nonlinear Beam Dynamics and Nonneutral Plasma Division. He is a resident of West Windsor Township. 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. At PPPL, physicists use a magnetic field to confine a hot ionized gas, or plasma, as the fuel for fusion energy production. Scientists hope eventually to use fusion energy for the generation of electricity. 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. Hong Qin Resolution is 300 dpi, print size is approximately 4 inches wide by 5 inches high, file type is jpeg, and file size is 4.7 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: 14 June 2005 Send questions or comments to: Anthony R. DeMeo at ademeo@pppl.gov