Prize Recipient

David Turnbull
University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

"For pioneering experimental work on plasma photonics in the pursuit of laser-plasma applications, including Raman amplification, plasma optics, and inertial confinement fusion."

David Turnbull graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from U.C. San Diego in 2007. He then went on to earn his M.A. (2009) and Ph.D. (2013) from Princeton University under the supervision of Szymon Suckewer. After several years as a postdoctoral fellow and staff scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility, he joined the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, where he is currently a staff scientist and group leader. David is best known for experiments contributing to an improved understanding of a wide range of laser-plasma interactions relevant to inertial confinement fusion, as well as novel demonstrations in the field of plasma photonics. His honors include the 2020 David J. Rose Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award from the Fusion Power Associates and the 2023 Edouard Fabre Prize from the Association Lasers et Plasmas.