As we begin a new term, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Executive Committee members: Derek Schaeffer, Jason TenBarge, Joe Olson, and Nick Murphy. Their leadership and dedication have been instrumental in building and advancing the MagNetUS network. From organizing impactful annual meetings and shaping the Joint Call process to supporting user facilities and software coordination, each has contributed meaningfully to the success of our community. We’re grateful for their service and continued engagement.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome several new members to the MagNetUS Executive Committee: Garima Joshi (Chair-Elect), Jia Han (Annual Meeting), Jimmy Juno (Software and Data Management), and Peiyun Shi (Facilities). We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to their leadership as we continue to grow our programs and initiatives.

Looking ahead, four positions will be up for election this fall: Chair-Elect, Annual Meeting, User Base, and Outreach & Education. We encourage community members to consider running or nominating a colleague. If you’re interested but unsure about the responsibilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be happy to explain the roles and help you get started.

New MagNetUS Overview Paper Published

We are pleased to announce the publication of “MagNetUS: A magnetized plasma research ecosystem” in the Journal of Plasma Physics, part of a special issue featuring work from across the MagNetUS community. This paper presents a broad overview of the MagNetUS collaboration—its origins, goals, and the diverse research it enables through coordinated use of university-scale magnetized plasma experiments. It describes how MagNetUS connects researchers, facilities, and students to advance foundational plasma science, from turbulence and reconnection to waves, transport, and plasma-material interactions. The article also highlights the program’s role in workforce development and in enabling access to experimental platforms for early-career scientists and underrepresented groups.

You can access the article here:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/magnetus-a-magnetized-plasma-research-ecosystem/97FC37030122B0A92D4B407A8F547220 

This paper is part of the ongoing “Papers from MagNetUS” collection in the Journal of Plasma Physics, which solicits submissions from across our research community. Researchers involved in experiments, theory, or computation on the fundamental physics of magnetized plasmas are encouraged to contribute. The special issue is edited by Troy Carter, Cary Forest, and Edward Thomas. We especially encourage those who presented at the recent MagNetUS meeting or who conducted research at MagNetUS-affiliated facilities through the Joint Call for Runtime Proposals to consider submitting their work.

You can view the collection here:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/collections/papers-from-magnetus 

We strongly encourage all members of the community to reference this paper when describing MagNetUS in publications, proposals, and presentations. It’s a great way to help communicate the value and impact of our growing research ecosystem.

What first drew you to plasma physics or experimental science? 

I learned about fusion energy research through a project for a high school engineering class, and my idealistic teenage self thought that would be a great way to use my math/science skills to make the world a better place (though it turns out I prefer working on space physics problems). I realized I needed to be an experimentalist after my first undergraduate research job in observational astronomy - you can’t go poke a galaxy to better understand what it’s doing, and I found that really frustrating.

Have you found a sense of community or mentorship in your journey so far? 

I actually almost left the field after my PhD due to bad experiences. My postdoctoral experience (mentored by Seth Dorfman) was the first time I felt truly safe in a research environment; it completely changed the trajectory of my career and, correspondingly, my life. 

If you could give advice to your younger self starting out in science, what would you say? 

Surround yourself with good people, particularly supportive mentors. Having a genuinely supportive mentor makes more of a difference than you realize.

Is there something unique about your path into/through science that you think shaped how you work today? 

I’m transgender, so the biases and preoccupations many people have around gender and gender variance have profoundly impacted my path through science. There are many places where it would be difficult for me to live, which means I haven't pursued some amazing opportunities, and important professional relationships have been hugely influenced by gendered dynamics. At the same time, I have found support from many in the MagNetUS community, and participating in and contributing to the LGBTQ+ community in plasma physics through advocacy and organizing has been some of the most meaningful work I have done. Seeing younger queer folks, particularly trans and gender nonconforming people, feel safe to be more open has brought me just as much joy as any physics result.

• APS Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) 2025 Annual Meeting: The meeting will take place November 17–21, 2025, in Long Beach, CA and online. Abstract submissions are due July 28, 2025. Details and updates are available at: https://engage.aps.org/dpp/meetings/annual-meeting
  
  

• Student Day at APS DPP 2025 will be held on Sunday, November 16th, from 1:00–6:00 PM in Long Beach. Organized by students, for students, the event helps first-time attendees feel more comfortable and build community through a review talk, lightning talks, and group activities. The $30 registration fee (paid with APS-DPP registration) includes dinner and snacks. Students are encouraged to arrive that morning; space will be available for those coming straight from the airport. Learn more at: https://dpp-connect.org/studentday
  
  

• AGU 2025 Fall Meeting will be held December 15–19, 2025 in New Orleans, LA. The abstract submission deadline is July 30, 2025, and the session proposal deadline has already passed (April 23). For more details, visit: https://www.agu.org/annual-meeting/present#overview

• The Joint Call for Runtime Proposals to Conduct Frontier Experiments in Plasma Science Facilities is expected to be released earlier than usual this year to allow more time for eligible proposers to apply for funding (see last year’s information here: https://sites.google.com/view/2024-magnetus-joint-call/)  . Details will be shared with the broader community via email, the MagNetUS website, facility webboards, and other appropriate channels. Please stay alert for the official announcement.

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new online tutorial seminar series aimed at bridging the gap between textbook learning and active research. These talks are designed to be educational and accessible, especially for students and early-career researchers. We anticipate holding seminars roughly once a month, depending on speaker availability.

The first talk in the series, “Foundations of Machine Learning for Physicists” by Nat Mathews (University of Maryland), is now available for viewing on the MagNetUS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MagNetUSplasma

We’d love to hear what topics and speakers you’d like to see featured in future sessions—feel free to self-nominate or suggest a topic, even if you don’t have a specific speaker in mind. Please share your ideas using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIN0yxYlL3XGZSktiNWbQQ_UVGvTHDopDL70eRE6jxo5eKzA/viewform

Additional information about the series, including recordings and updates, is posted on the MagNetUS website: https://magnetus.net

We look forward to your input and hope you enjoy this new resource!

• NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites: This program supports research opportunities for undergraduate students at host institutions across a variety of disciplines. Many REU sites are plasma-related and offer valuable summer research experiences. Deadlines vary by host institution. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/reu-research-experiences-undergraduates
  
  

• NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program: The MRI program provides funding for the acquisition or development of major research instruments that support fundamental science and engineering research. This program can benefit labs looking to enhance or expand their experimental capabilities. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mri-major-research-instrumentation-program
  
  

• NSF Geospace Cluster Core Programs (AGS-GC): These core programs support research in solar and space physics, aeronomy, magnetospheric physics, and related areas. Proposals are accepted at any time—there is no deadline. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ags-gc-geospace-cluster

We’d love to feature more news from across the MagNetUS community in future newsletters! If you have:

• Recent publications or preprints

• Student awards or recognitions

• Job openings, internships, or postdoc opportunities

• Upcoming events or deadlines others should know about

…we want to hear from you!

Send us your news for the next issue: orlov@magnetus.net  

Let’s keep the community connected and informed—your contributions make a big difference.

• MagNetUS Website https://magnetus.net

• MagNetUS 2025 Annual Meeting (WVU) https://magnetus-2025.pa.ucla.edu

• FESAC Long-Range Plan (2021) https://science.osti.gov/-/media/fes/fesac/pdf/2020/FESAC_LRP_FinalReport_20210312.pdf

• Joint Call for Runtime Proposals (2024 site) http://callforruntimeproposals.org

• BAPSF (UCLA) https://plasma.physics.ucla.edu/ 

• PHAPSMA (WVU) https://kineticplasma.wvu.edu/our-center/center-facilities

• APS DPP CPP https://sites.google.com/pppl.gov/dpp-cpp

• NASEM report https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/a-decadal-assessment-of-plasma-science