Fonck became head of the U.S. fusion program in March 2007 to fill the post vacated by the retirement of N. Anne Davies in April 2006. He was on a leave of absence from the University of Wisconsin that was expected to last two years. The reasons for his abrupt departure have not been disclosed.

Fonck has issued the following statement:

Dear members of the U.S. fusion energy sciences research community:

I will be leaving my post as Associate Director of the Office of Science for the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES), effective Friday August 1, 2008, to resume my position as a professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin.

The Office of Science will be proceeding with the search for a new permanent Associate Director of Science for the OFES. We expect the position to be posted for application within 4-6 weeks, and any suggestions you may have for candidates for this position are strongly encouraged and appreciated. Please feel free to send your suggestions to Dr. Patricia Dehmer, Deputy Director for Science Programs, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy (patricia.dehmer@science.doe.gov). The formal announcement of the solicitation for application for the Associate Director position will be sent out soon.

I would like to thank all members of the U.S. fusion research community for your scientific work and dedication to the program. It has been gratifying to see the enthusiasm everyone brings to their research efforts. As you know, it has been a busy time for fusion and plasma sciences over the past year, and we obviously have many challenges coming in the near future. The ITER project is moving forward and establishing itself as the international focus of magnetic fusion research, and we can be proud that the U.S. community has made strong contributions to the ITER design efforts.

The Office of Science is working hard to secure future support for U.S. participation in ITER. In addition, the program has embarked on a long-term planning exercise for all areas of science covered by the OFES, including magnetic fusion energy sciences, plasma sciences, high energy density laboratory physics and energy-related high energy density sciences. These efforts will chart new directions for the program for the coming decade and more. While all this is going on, the community continues to produce excellent and exciting results to move our sciences forward.

Thank you for all of your support.
Ray Fonck

Dr. Raymond J. Fonck, Associate Director
Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, U.S. Department Of Energy