Dr. Buttery has more than 25 years of experience in fusion research with 16 years at UKAEA and the last 11 years at General Atomics. He has served in a number of leadership positions in the UK, Europe and at GA.

Since 2012, he has been Director of the DIII-D Experimental Science Division and has led a diverse research team of over 600 scientists. The scientific excellence and high productivity of the research team has been recognized internationally by an increasing number of high visibility presentations and awards received. He oversaw a transition to a diverse early career team delivering high impact results and accepting key responsibilities. He has led the development of a steady state advanced tokamak as a target for a compact U.S. Pilot Plant, which builds on DIII-D work and motivates continued DIII-D research. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Fellow of the U.K. Institute of Physics.

Taylor noted "Richard is very passionate about the success of the DIII-D program and fully utilizing the facility in the pursuit of fusion energy while delivering world-leading research. He has developed extensive working relationships across national and international programs, and with FES. I am confident that under his leadership, DIII-D will continue to serve as a world-class fusion research program."

He can be reached at: buttery@fusion.gat.com