Ian Chapman Wins 2017 Thomas H. Stix Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Plasma Physics Research

COLLEGE PARK, MD, July 14, 2017 — Ian Chapman of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy has won the American Physical Society’s 2017 Thomas H. Stix Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Plasma Physics Research. The award citation recognizes Chapman for "groundbreaking experimental and theoretical studies in tokamak stability."

The award annually honors an individual researcher who has made outstanding theoretical, experimental, computational, or technical contributions in plasma physics early in their career. It was established in 2013 by a contribution from the Division of Plasma Physics. Chapman will receive a $2,000 stipend and a certificate when the award is presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, which will take place October 23-27 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ian Chapman became CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and head of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in October 2016. He received his M.S. from Durham University in 2004 and a Ph.D. from Imperial College in 2008. His primary research interest is understanding and controlling macroscopic instabilities in fusion plasmas. Chapman has experimented on a number of fusion devices worldwide as well as developed leading numerical modelling tools. His work is characterised by a close coupling of experimental data that uses numerical modelling to explicate the underlying plasma physics and, in so doing, develop techniques for plasma control. A number of his journal publications have been included in highlights collections (Plasma Physics Controlled Fusion in 2011, Nuclear Fusion in 2012, Physics of Plasmas in 2012) and one of his papers was included in the shortlist for the Nuclear Fusion Award in 2013. Chapman has published over 110 journal papers, including three topical review papers, and has given 30 invited lead-author presentations at international conferences. His research has been recognized with many international awards, including the European Physical Society Early Career Prize in 2014, the Plasma Physics Young Scientist Prize from the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in 2012, and the Cavendish Medal for Best early-career UK physicist awarded by SET for Britain in 2011. He was made a fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2013 and became a visiting professor at Durham University in 2015.

Contact: James Riordon, APS, riordon@aps.org, (301) 209-3238

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