Hermann Grunder, Director of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Laboratory, has been named Director of Argonne National Laboratory, effective November 1.

In making the announcement, Argonne officials said, "Dr. Grunder is an internationally recognized nuclear and accelerator physicist, and former Deputy Director of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He has published extensively on nuclear physics, high-energy and heavy-ion accelerators, on application of accelerators in medical research, and on accelerator technology. Dr. Grunder brings to the directorship great experience and understanding of our national laboratory system. His knowledge of science and technology, combined with his energy and wisdom, will provide outstanding leadership for Argonne."

In accepting the appointment, Dr. Grunder said, "I have made it my career to serve where I am most needed in the national lab system. I am honored that the University of Chicago and the Department of Energy found my knowledge, experience and management style equal to the complex needs of a multi-program lab such as Argonne National Laboratory. While it will be difficult to leave Jefferson Lab and the community that has been so supportive, I look forward to the challenges ahead."

Dr. Grunder was an early fusion research scientist at the Berkeley Laboratory. More recently, in 1997, while Director of the Jefferson Laboratory, he chaired a panel of the DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee charged with reviewing the role of the U.S. in the international ITER fusion project (FPN97-27). Among the recommendations of that group was that "in concert with our internationel partners, a burning plasma facility should be built at the earliest possible time." The "Grunder Panel" also recommended that the U. S. "undertake design efforts on lower cost fusion-energy-producing plasma concepts."

Hermann Grunder was a recipient of Fusion Power Associates 1998 Leadership Award. He can be reached at grunder@cebaf.gov