Physics Today: Some of the Office of Science's programs, such as high-energy physics and fusion energy, have lost the preeiminence that came with having the top facilities in the world. Will these programs continue to be run as they have in the past? What about fusion?

Koonin: Speaking for myself, I'd like to see more focus and drive in our fusion programs than we've had in the past. ITER is going to turn on in perhaps 2020-something, in terms of [achieving] a burning plasma. That's too long. We should be looking for ways to accelerate that, or perhaps exploring other methods to get to fusion energy. Inertial fusion energy is another option that the department is pursuing through the NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] and at the National Ignition Facility. I would keep an eye on NIF as perhaps offering an alternative route to fusion energy.