Porkolab also announced the appointment of Dr. Earl Marmar, Senior Research Scientist in the MIT Physics Department and at the PSFC, as the new Head of the Alcator Project, starting July 1, 2003. Presently, Dr. Marmar is the Executive Head of the Alcator Project, and in this capacity he has been involved in nearly all aspects of the day-to-day operation of Alcator, as well as in preparation of proposals, budgets, and reviews. Porkolab noted, "He has been a member of the Alcator team for nearly 25 years and is extremely well qualified to lead the project. Please give him all the support you can to make this challenging job a great success."

Professor Jeffery Freidberg will step down as Head of the Nuclear Engineering Department as of July 1, 2003, and will become an Associate Director at the PSFC, a position he held before becoming Nuclear Engineering Department Head. Dr. Rick Temkin, Senior Research Scientist in the Physics Department and at the PSFC, will remain an Associate Director of the PSFC, and Dr. Peter Catto, Senior Research Scientist at the PSFC, will remain an Assistant Director and Head of the Theory Program at the PSFC. Porkolab said "Professor Freidberg will assist me in improving the quality of graduate and undergraduate educational programs affiliated with the PSFC. In addition, he will assist me with overseeing magnetic fusion research, and in particular, ITER-relevant (burning plasma) activities at the institutional and national level. For example, Jeffrey is already serving on the US Burning Plasma Advisory Committee, and on FESAC, the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee. Jeffery will also become more active in plasma and fusion-relevant theory research, as well as in supervision of graduate students. Rick Temkin will remain in charge of educational outreach programs, as well as helping me oversee the plasma and fusion technology and engineering programs at the PSFC."

For further information contact Prof.Miklos Porkolab (Porkolab@psfc.mit.edu)