MFE-IM Team

Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez

Principal Research Scientist·Scientific Lead for Integrated Modeling

Pablo RF (he/him, pablorf@mit.edu) is a Principal Research Scientist at the MIT PSFC, where he serves as Scientific Lead for Integrated Modeling and runs the MFE-IM group. His research combines first-principles turbulence simulations, integrated modeling and machine-learning-based optimization to predict and design the performance of burning-plasma, magnetic-confinement fusion devices. He develops the open-source PORTALS and MAESTRO frameworks, has led the core performance predictions for the SPARC tokamak, and contributes to the physics basis of the ARC fusion power plant. He collaborates with experimental teams at ASDEX Upgrade, JET and DIII-D tokamaks to validate transport models and build confidence in reactor designs.

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Nathan Howard

Principal Research Scientist·Group Leader SPARC & ARC Physics

Nathan Howard (he/him, nthoward@psfc.mit.edu) is a principal research scientist at the MIT PSFC and leads the Performance and Transport group, formed as part of the MIT/CFS collaborations. Nathan’s research interests lie in multi-scale gyrokinetics, impurity transport validation, high performance computing and machine learning enhanced transport models. Nathan actively collaborates with the DIII-D tokamak, where his team operates the laser-blow off system to study experimental impurity transport.

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Aaron Ho

Research Scientist

Aaron Ho (he/him, aaronkho@mit.edu) is a research scientist working at the MIT PSFC. Aaron’s research combines plasma transport knowledge with machine learning techniques to build fast surrogate models, with the aim of using them in the design and operation of tokamak devices

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Anne White

MIT Associate Vice President for Research Administration·School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Engineering

Anne White (she/her, whitea@mit.edu) is the Associate Vice President for Research Administration and School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Engineering at MIT. Her current research is a focused US DOE funded effort on core-to-edge turbulence-transport research and study of ELM-free regimes at ASDEX Upgrade, supported by the development of Correlation Electron Cyclotron Emission Diagnostics (CECE) and coupled radiometer and reflectometer measurements. She and her students also perform research funded by private companies CFS and nT-Tao, in the area of transport physics and diagnostic development.

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Garud Snoep

Postdoctoral Associate

Garud Snoep (he/him, gsnoep@mit.edu) is a postdoctoral associate at the MIT PSFC in the MFE-IM group. Garud’s research interests are in using gyrokinetic simulations and integrated modeling to characterize, predict and optimize turbulent plasma transport in fusion reactors. Currently, he is working on an improved quasilinear turbulence saturation model for plasma conditions in the SPARC tokamak.

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Haley Wilson

Postdoctoral Fellow

Haley Wilson (she/her, hswilson@mit.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow at the MIT PSFC working in the MFE-IM group. Haley is interested in modeling the core performance of reactor-class negative triangularity plasmas. She will be using gyrokinetic modeling to characterize turbulence in these plasmas and increase confidence in negative triangularity as a favorable fusion pilot plant regime.

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Audrey Saltzman

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Audrey Saltzman (she/her, audreysa@mit.edu) is interested in automating the optimization of fusion power plant designs, with consideration to economic outcomes. Outside of work, Audrey enjoys practicing gymnastics and escaping into the woods.

Audrey’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez.

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Jo Hall

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Jo Hall (they/them, hallj@psfc.mit.edu) is primarily interested in modeling turbulent transport and performance in burning plasmas, focusing on how fast particle physics affect core transport and power plant performance. They enjoy running, cooking, and drinking too much coffee with friends in Cambridge’s many cafés.

Jo’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez.

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Ivan Marshall

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Ivan Marshall (he/him, imars23@mit.edu) studies plasma impurities, which are a major factor for the performance of tokamak devices. Different regions of a tokamak plasma have different requirements for their impurities, and so his goal is to study transport in the whole plasma simultaneously. He has also worked on applying machine learning techniques to simulations of the edge of the plasma, allowing for efficient and high-fidelity interpretation of experiment. Outside of plasma physics, Ivan practices gymnastics and serves his department as an NSE Communication Lab fellow.

Ivan’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Nathan Howard.

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Xavior Wang

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Xavior Wang (he/him, xxw@mit.edu) is interested in studying turbulence and transport in core fusion plasmas through a holistic approach, from high fidelity gyrokinetic modelling and profile predictions to experimental diagnostics and validation. His research spans across confinement concepts and machines, including ASDEX-U, LHD, DIII-D, and MAST-U. When not in the office or control room, Xavior can be found backpacking through all corners of the world and picking up new hobbies like snowboarding, diving, and photography.

Xavior’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Anne White.

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Kaitlyn Yanna

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Kaitlyn Yanna (she/her, yanna@mit.edu) is interested in optimizing plasmas for improved heat confinement, with an interest in turbulent transport. Current projects include validating computational codes with experimental data. Outside of work, Kaitlyn enjoys practicing ballet, crochet, and memes.

Kaitlyn’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Anne White.

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Greta Hibbard

Graduate Student, MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering

Greta Hibbard (she/her, hibbard@mit.edu) focuses her research on applying machine learning and optimization techniques to magnetic fusion experiments, specifically plasma trajectory optimization using accelerated time-dependent models. Currently, she is investigating the presence and impact of path-dependence on scenario design. Outside of physics, Greta enjoys running, swimming, and reading.

Greta’s doctoral research is primarily supervised by Aaron Ho.

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Rachel Bielajew

Visiting Scientist

Rachel Bielajew (she/her, bielajew@mit.edu) is a Visiting Scientist at the MIT PSFC and a Principle Technical Analyst at Rutherford Energy Ventures. Her research focuses on the intersection of experiment and modeling, where she analyzes experimental turbulence measurements from magnetic confinement fusion devices and compares them with simulated turbulence from gyrokinetic simulations. At Rutherford Energy Ventures, Rachel evaluates the technical and business dimensions of companies and partners across the growing fusion ecosystem.

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