Terms Expiring in 2026

Edl Schamiloglu, Editor-in-Chief of Transactions on Plasma Science

Jenny Smith, 2023-2024

Jacob Kiviat, 2024-2025

• The Awards Subcommittee identifies, encourages, and solicits PSAC member candidates for various IEEE awards: David Simon (chair), Matthew Franzi.
• The Conference Budget Subcommittee advises International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS) chairs on budget preparation and reviews proposed budgets prior to approval by ExCom: Ian Ritterdorf (Chair).
• The Employment and Careers Subcommittee solicits resumes and job postings for inclusion in ICOPS career fair every year: Peggy Christenson (chair).
• The Membership Subcommittee recommends and implements ExCom-approved actions to increase PSAC membership: Louise Willingale (Chair).
• The Minicourse Subcommittee suggests topics for the annual Minicourse, held in conjunction with the ICOPS, and provides advice to help assure that the Minicourse is successful:
• The Nominations Subcommittee solicits nominees for the PSAC ExCom and for PSAC representatives to the NPSS AdCom:  John Foster (Chair), Fernanda Yamasaki, Debbie Levin.
• The Publicity Subcommittee develops and disseminates information about PSAC activities by submitting articles to the NPSS Newsletter: Nichelle Bennett (Chair).
• The Site Selection Subcommittee identifies potential ICOPS chairs and conference sites several years in advance, works with the proposed chairs to develop preliminary proposals, supports chairs with guidance, and presents recommendations to ExCom: Jane Lehr (Chair), Rajdeep Rawat.
• The Student Travel Grants Subcommittee solicits candidates for and selects student awardees to receives grants to cover partial costs of attendance at the PSAC ICOPS: Matthew Franzi (Chair), David Simon.

PSAC Constitution and Bylaws November 12 2021

ExCom Meeting Minutes (password protected)

ICOPS Archive (password protected)

Additional Information (password protected)

• IEEE Pulsed Power & Plasma Science Conference (PPPS2025)
• IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS2024)
• IEEE Sponsored Conferences
• American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics
• American Physical Society Sponsored Conferences
• American Vacuum Society Sponsored Conferences
• Materials Research Society Sponsored Conferences

To recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Plasma Science.

A plaque, $3,000 cash award, and an invitation to present a talk at the International Conference on Plasma Science in the year of the award and to have the text of the talk published as an invited paper in the IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.

Primary consideration will be given to the impact of the research or new applications. Other factors can include research contributions over a career, the influence on plasma science through teaching, and professional service to the NPSS Plasma Science and Applications Committee and the plasma science community.  The nominee is not required to be a member of the NPSS or IEEE but, where candidates have otherwise equal qualifications, preference shall be given to the candidate who is a member of the IEEE. Open to all, excluding current members of the NPSS Plasma Science and Applications Executive Committee.

Nomination Deadline as Shown on Form (September-October of each year)

PSAC-Award-Form-2024 (docx)

PSAC-Award-Form-2024 (pdf)

Nominations should be sent to: David Simon, Chair, PSAC Awards Committee

2025:  Debra Callahan, Focused Energy, Inc.

For her leadership in inertial confinement fusion hohlraum physics and contributions to the science of implosion symmetry control, enabling the creation of the first ignited plasmas on the National Ignition Facility and for her mentoring of several generations of inertial fusion scientists.

2024:  Arati Dasgupta, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

For fundamental contributions to, and leadership of, high energy density plasma, atomic and radiation physics, including spectroscopy, x-ray generation, fusion applications, and service to the plasma science community.

2023: Yakov Krasik, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology

For his significant contribution to the understanding of the physics of high-current ion diodes, plasma opening switches, plasma cathodes, nanosecond timescale discharges, warm dense plasma, converging strong shock waves and high-power microwaves generation and interaction with plasma.

2022: Professor Gary Eden, University of Illinois, Urbana

For contributions to plasma diagnostics through laser spectroscopy and microwave interferometry, chemical kinetics of low-temperature, high-pressure plasmas, probing of plasmas via transmission electron microscopy, and the introduction and development of microcavity plasmas for high power UV/VUV lamps, photolithography, water disinfection, atomic clocks, and the plasma/semiconductor photodetector and transistor.

2021: Farhat Beg, University of California San Diego, USA 

For outstanding contributions on both laser- and Z-pinch-driven plasma physics including energetic particle production, ultra-high magnetic field generation, and the formation of well-diagnosed high energy density plasmas.

2020: Monica Blank, Communications and Power Industries, LLC, USA 

For outstanding contributions to the development of high-power, high-frequency gyrotron amplifier and oscillator sources for spectroscopy, radar, fusion, and industrial applications.

2019: John Verboncoeur, Michigan State University

For pioneering contributions to computational plasma science research and outstanding leadership in computational engineering education and in the plasma science professional community.

2018: John H. Booske, University of Wisconsin-Madison

For seminal contributions to vacuum electronics and microelectronics, the education of generations of talented students, and leadership in advanced cathodes, sheet electron beams, microwave and millimeter-wave sources, and electromagnetic interaction with materials.

2017: Alan D. R. Phelps, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom

For groundbreaking and influential contributions to the field of plasma science, including: diagnostics, waves, plasma-surface interactions, beam instabilities, ionospheric plasmas, magnetospheric science and novel microwave radiation sources.

2016: Christine A. Coverdale, Sandia National Laboratories

For contributions to innovation in K-shell x-ray sources with multi-keV photon energies plus deuterium gas puff neutron sources, and service to the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society.

2015: Alexander L. (Sasha) Velikovich, Naval Research Laboratory

For  advancing the theory of plasma shocks, hydrodynamics and magneto-hydrodynamics, thus enabling many-fold increases in both Z-pinch and laser-plasma experimental performance in radiation and fusion applications.

2014: Michael Desjarlais, Sandia National Laboratories

For pioneering contributions to the understanding of electrical and thermal transport properties, and equations of state for materials at extreme conditions through the use of first-principles density functional calculations, and generating numerous state-of-the-art wide-range conductivity models for use in a broad spectrum of simulation codes.

2013: Richard J. Temkin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For fundamental contributions to the field of high power gyrotrons and their application.

2012: Andrew Ng, University of British Columbia

For pioneering contributions to Warm Dense Matter Science through research on laser-driven shock compression and isochoric laser heating of solids, and for pivotal leadership in the advancement of Warm Dense Matter as a multidisciplinary scientific frontier.

2011: Thomas Katsouleas, Duke University

For fundamental contributions to the field of plasma-based accelerators.

2010: Manfred Thumm, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

For outstanding contributions to the development of high power microwave sources (in particular gyrotrons) for application in magnetically confined fusion plasma devices as well as for stimulating and establishing extensive international co-operations .

2009: Robert H. Barker, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

For more than two decades of visionary leadership in the fields of non-equilibrium air plasmas, compact pulsed power, and high power microwave/millimeter-wave electronics.

2008: Phillip Sprangle, Naval Research Laboratory

For pioneering research in plasma science, advanced accelerators and advanced radiation sources.

2007: Yitzhak Maron, Weizmann Institute of Science

For pioneering the application of spectroscopic techniques to the detailed space and time characterization of electric and magnetic fields, charged-particle beams, and plasmas under extreme conditions of high-current, high-voltage, high-fields, and short-duration.

2006: Christopher Deeney, Sandia National Laboratories

For contributions to the advancement of Z-pinch physics understanding and applications.

2005: Neville Luhmann, Jr., University of California, Davis

For pioneering contributions to basic plasma science, and for the development of coherent microwave sources, including harmonic gyrotrons and gyro-TWTs, and of millimeter-wave imaging technologies, for plasma diagnostics and other applications.

2004: David A. Hammer, Cornell University

For fundamental contributions to the understanding of intense relativistic electron beam propagation, intense ion beam generation and propagation, innovative plasma diagnostic development for intense beam devices, x-ray source development using novel plasma pinches, and for his commitment to the mentoring of graduate students in the field of plasma science.

2003: Thomas A. Antonsen, Jr., University of Maryland

For his creative and seminal analyses of important problems in relativistic electronics, in the interaction of intense light pulses with plasmas, and in the heating and confinement of fusion plasmas.

2002: lgor Alexeff, University of Tennessee

For outstanding contributions to plasma science, including pioneering work on ion acoustic waves and on plasma sheath expansion, substantial impact on the development of high power microwave sources, dedicated mentorship and education of generations of students, and extraordinary professional service, including co-founding of the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society in 1972.

2001: Kwo Ray Chu, National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan

For seminal plasma physics investigations yielding fundamental insight into coherent radiation processes, thereby significantly advancing the state of gyro-oscillator and amplifier technology.

2000: Mark Kushner, University of Illinois

For pioneering contributions to industrial applied plasma physics through personal research, consultation, the education of students, and the establishment of a world-class industrial plasma research facility at the University of Illinois.

1999: Y.Y. Lau, University of Michigan

For pioneering contributions to the science of electron-beams and coherent radiation sources, including electron-beam instabilities and crossed-field flow, multipactor, gyro-amplifiers, and ion-noise in traveling wave tubes.

1998: Akira Hirose, University of Saskatchewan

For outstanding contributions to theoretical/experimental work on basic and fusion-related plasma science including studies of waves, turbulent heating, quasi-steady operation, and anomalous transport in tokamaks.

1997: Ronald M. Gilgenbach, University of Michigan

For his many contributions to plasma science, particularly those in the area of cyclotron resonance heating of plasmas, long-pulse high-power diodes, electron beam transport and stability, and innovative diagnostics of laser-ablated plasma plumes.

1996: Wallace M. Manheimer, Naval Research Laboratory

For pioneering contributions to relativistic microwave electronics and to basic plasma theory. In particular, for developing new concepts in coherent radiation generation, including the quasi-optical gyrotron, and of new techniques for analyzing gyrotrons, gyro-klystrons, and free electron lasers.

1995: Michael A. Lieberman. University of California, Berkeley

For contributions to the pioneering development of the fields of fusion plasmas, plasma processing, and nonlinear dynamics, through both research and teaching.

1994: Francis F. Chen, University of California, Los Angeles

For outstanding contributions to plasma science in the areas of magnetic fusion, inertial confinement fusion, plasma diagnostics, laser-plasma interactions, plasma processing, and basic plasma phenomena.

1993: Noah Hershkowitz, University of Wisconsin

For contributions to plasma science through numerous experimental investigations of a variety of basic plasma phenomena, including solitons, plasma sheaths, ion-acoustic waves, electrostatic double layers, and magnetic cusps. His pioneering research efforts have dramatically enhanced our understanding of the confinement, heating, and stabilization of tandem mirror plasmas, as well as fueling and impurity generation processes in small and medium-sized tokamaks.

1992: Paul F. Ottinger, Naval Research Laboratory

For outstanding contributions in two areas of plasma science: intense light-ion-beam transport, stability and focusing for inertial confinement fusion, and the theory of the plasma opening switch for application to pulsed-power generators.

1991: Victor L. Granatstein, University of Maryland

For outstanding contributions to three areas of research: microwave generation with intense relativistic electron beams, RF sources for electron resonance heating of fusion plasmas, and microwave device physics and technology.

1990: Leon Shohet, University of Wisconsin

For outstanding contributions to research and education in the field of plasma science and engineering including significant contributions to stellarator research.

1989: George Bekefi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For outstanding contributions to the understanding of electromagnetic radiation processes in electron beam devices and plasma.

1988: Charles K. Birdsall, University of California, Berkeley

For the development and application of many-particle computer simulations to instabilities, heating and transport of high-temperature plasmas.

To recognize outstanding contributions to the field of plasma science and technology. This award will be presented annually at the IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science.

$2000 and Plaque Funded by the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society’s Plasma Science and Applications Committee

Any full time undergraduate or graduate university student in plasma science. The nominee must be a student when nominated. Nominees will be judged according to their contributions to plasma science. The judgment will be based on quality of research contributions, quality of educational accomplishments, and quality and significance of publications and patents.

Nomination Deadline as Shown on Form (September-October of each year)

Alexeff-Award-Form-2024 (docx)

Alexeff-Award-Form-2024 (pdf)

Nominations should be sent to: David Simon, PSAC Awards Committee

2016: Andreas Schlaich, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

For fundamental contributions to techniques for the investigation of gyrotron radio-frequency output spectra, both concerning novel measurement systems and the development of advanced data analysis tools, as well as investigations on various types of parasitic oscillations.

2015: Guy Rosenzweig, Weizmann Institute

For  developing and implementing, for the first time, a spectroscopic method for the measurement of the time-resolved magnetic field distribution, in both r and z, near the pinch axis, and throughout stagnation in a Z-pinch experiment.

2014: Shurik Yatom, Technion

For non-disturbing measurements of the parameters of runaway electrons, density of transient plasma and electric fields during nanosecond time scale discharge in pressurized gases.

2013: Paul Schmit, Princeton University

For the discovery of novel wave effects in compressing plasma, including: the switch-like collisionless damping mechanism capable of prescribing bursts of heat, current, magnetic field, or voltage; the autoresonant beam acceleration induced by plasma compression; and the curious effects of nonlinear plasma waves on plasma compressibility.

2012: Boaz Rubinstein, Weizmann Institute

For experimental and theoretical plasma spectroscopy advances leading to new insights into magnetic field penetration in nearly-collisionless plasmas.

2011: Chao Chang, Tsinghua University, Beijing

For theoretical and experimental contributions to the understanding and suppression of high voltage microwave-driven breakdown phenomena.

2009: Gregory Fridman, Drexel University

For contributions to the field of Plasma Medicine.

Refer to ieee-npss.org/awards/conference-awards/

• Transactions on Plasma Science at Manuscript Central.
• Transactions on Plasma Science at IEEE Xplore.
• Transactions on Plasma Science on NPSS website.

• Fusion Education at General Atomics
• Fusion Energy Education (Contemporary Physics Education Project)
• Interactive Plasma Physics Education Experience
• Perspectives on Plasmas – the fourth state of matter
• The Pervasive Plasma State APS-DPP brochure
• The Wonders of Physics Clint Sprott’s Pop Physics Lectures
• Coalition for Plasma Science Applications and benefits for society
• NRL Plasma Formulary Extensive compilation of plasma data and formulas

• Plasma Connection Briefs – multiple stories about plasma applications