Fusion Pioneers: Celebrating Women in Fusion Energy

Five Columbia University Plasma Lab Students attended the inaugural annual Fusion Pioneers: Celebrating Women in Fusion Energy conference on January 13th. The event highlighted woman-led research in Plasma Physics and supported the advancement of marginalized genders in the workforce

In addition to outstanding fusion researchers, notable members of the Department of Energy attended, including the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation Dr. Geraldine Richmond.

Graduate students Sophia Guizzo, Jamie Xia, and Alexa Lachmann, along with undergraduates Pricilla Dua and Hope Hersom (featured in the photo on the right), actively contributed to the program. Hope Hersom and Pricilla Dua presented their entirely undergraduate-run research project with Professor Paz-Soldan on the interaction of cryogenic ice pellets with energetic particle beams, highlighting the woman-majority team. Alexa Lachmann presented on efforts at Columbia University to build a strong community of fusion researchers strengthened by innovation through collaboration.