15 April 2003

Plainsboro, New Jersey -- Adam Rosenberg, a research assistant at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), has been awarded the American Physical Society (APS) Congressional Science Fellowship.

Rosenberg begins the one-year fellowship this September in Washington, D.C. He plans on receiving a Ph.D. from Princeton University's Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Program in Plasma Physics, this summer.

PPPL physicist David Gates, who supervised Rosenberg's second-year theory project, said, "In the course of his work, Adam interacted with many scientists from institutions across the U.S., including the University of Wisconsin and Los Alamos National Laboratory, as well as with those at PPPL. He held his own and is now well established as a serious contributor to an important subfield of fusion plasma physics." Gates went on to describe Rosenberg as a good communicator who is an excellent choice for the APS award.

Rosenberg said his interest in science policy -- which is driven by a strong desire to make a positive contribution to society -- compelled him to apply for the Congressional fellowship.

"I am particularly concerned with the expanding energy needs of the world, as it is clear to me that fossil fuels are in limited supply, detrimental to the environment, and a major source of geopolitical unrest," said Rosenberg. He sought a doctorate in plasma physics studying nuclear fusion because he believes fusion is an attractive alternative that addresses each of these concerns.

As a Congressional Fellow, he also looks forward to investigating and guiding policy in various other types of power generation, as well as in other areas of science, in the hope of encouraging options that lead to a cleaner, safer world. "I'd like to improve our nation's energy independence and security through a variety of means. I really hope I can have a positive impact on science policy," said Rosenberg.

Rosenberg received a bachelor's degree in applied and engineering physics in 1998 from Cornell University. Prior to coming to PPPL as a research assistant and Princeton University as a doctoral candidate in 1998, he was an intern at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. He is a coauthor of eight papers and a 1998 recipient of Princeton University's Merit Prize. Rosenberg was a member of the Princeton delegation for Washington Fusion Day and of the New Jersey delegation for the APS Convocation Lobbying Day, both in 2003, and a participant in the Princeton University Scholars in Schools Program in 2002-2003.

Rosenberg is a resident of Princeton. He grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The APS Congressional Science Fellowships were established to provide a public service by making available individuals with scientific knowledge and skills to Members of Congress, few of whom have a technical background. In turn, the program enables scientists to broaden their experience through direct involvement with the legislative and political processes. Following interviews on the Hill, Fellows choose a congressional office -- personal or committee staff -- where they wish to serve.

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.

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

To download photo, click on the link below. When the large photo appears in your browser do the following: (1) if you are on a PC click your right mouse button and select "Save Picture As..." or (2) if you are on a MAC hold down the mouse button on the photo and select "Save this Image As..."

Downloadable print-quality photo of Adam Rosenberg. Resolution is 300 dpi, print size is approximately 3.6 inches wide by 3.1 inches high, file type is jpeg, and file size is 1.0 MB. Photo by Elle Starkman, PPPL.