Hong Qin of West Windsor received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and engineers in Washington, D.C., on June 13. A physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, he was among the 58 researchers supported by eight federal departments and agencies who received the award, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent careers. Each award winner received a citation, a plaque, and a commitment for continued funding of their work from their agency for five years.
Qin also received the Department of Energy’s Office of Science Early Career Scientist and Engineer Award at a separate ceremony on the same day. He was among six from DOE National laboratories to receive both awards.
Both awards cite Qin for his contributions to the physics of high-intensity particle beams with application to ion-beam fusion energy, and for his work on electromagnetic effects in magnetically confined plasmas with application to magnetic fusion energy.
Qin received his bachelor and master’s degrees in space physics from Beijing University in 1990 and 1993. He received master and doctorate degrees in astrophysical sciences from Princeton University in 1997 and 1998. He conducted post-doctoral research at PPPL before joining the research staff in 2000. He is currently a research physicist in PPPL’s Theory Department and the Nonlinear Beam Dynamics and Nonneutral Plasma Division.
Vice President
Joseph R. Pawlak of Plainsboro was elected first vice president of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association when the organization held its 119th annual convention June 11 at the Middlesex High School in Middlesex. He was sworn in to his new office by Paulsboro Mayor John Burzichelli, who is also an assemblyman.
