15 November 2004 (To download a print-quality file of the photo of Dr. Manickam, go to the end of this article.)

Manickam Named Head of Theory Department at PPPL

Plainsboro, New Jersey -- Physicist Janardhan Manickam has been named Head of the Theory Department at the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). He replaces William Tang, PPPL Chief Scientist, who is engaged in advancing scientific computing initiatives and strategies in collaboration with other plasma science institutions, Princeton University departments, and the DOE Office of Science. A leader in the fusion theory community, Manickam also has contributed strongly to the experimental program, most recently as national coordinator for spherical torus theory. A spherical torus is a type of experimental fusion device. His principal interest focuses on magnetohydrodynamics, which is the study of the interaction between electrical fields and conducting fluids. PPPL Director Rob Goldston, who made the announcement last week, said, "Janardhan 'Manny' Manickam has the scientific and personal respect of everyone who knows him. He has a history of leadership in the fusion theory community, and his theoretical work has contributed strongly to the experimental program. I have great confidence that Manny's leadership style, which involves both holding up the highest scientific standards and also working closely with people as individuals will be extremely effective in our challenging research environment, which requires the best from everyone." Manickam joined the Laboratory's staff in 1975. He has been a principal research physicist since 1986. Manickam has been a visiting scientist at several research institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, Germany, and the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute in Tokai, Japan. He received a bachelor's degree in physics from Osmania University in India, a master's degree in nuclear physics from Andhra University in India, and a Ph.D. in plasma physics from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a member of numerous professional organizations, and a co-author on more than 150 papers in scientific journals. Manickam lives in Lawrenceville and serves on the School Board of the Lawrence Township Schools. 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. The Laboratory is on Princeton's James Forrestal Campus, off U.S. Route 1 in Plainsboro, New Jersey. 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. Janardhan Manickam. Resolution is 300 dpi, print size is approximately 5 inches wide by 6.8 inches high, file type is jpeg, and file size is 2.5 MB. Photo by Elle Starkman, PPPL.

PPPL is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University.

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Created: 15 November 2004 Send questions or comments to: Anthony R. DeMeo at ademeo@pppl.gov