Stefan Gerhardt, principal research physicist and head of experimental operations on the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) at PPPL, has won the Fusion Power Associates 2016 Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award.

The honor, given by directors of the research and educational foundation, recognizes “persons in the relatively early part of their careers who have shown both technical accomplishment and potential to become exceptionally influential leaders in the fusion field.” The group’s board of directors cited Gerhardt's “many scientific contributions,” including his “recent work on predicting plasma disruptions” and the leadership he provides “to the successful completion and operation of the NSTX-U experiment at PPPL.”