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Stephen C. Jardin Honored with 2025 Ronald C. Davidson Award

On October 22, 2025, AIP Publishing announced that Dr. Stephen C. Jardin, a Principal Research Physicist and Professor at Princeton University's Plasma Physics Faculty, has been awarded the prestigious Ronald C. Davidson Award for Plasma Physics. With an award sum of $5,000, this honor recognizes exceptional achievements in plasma physics research, particularly those published in Physics of Plasmas, and is presented in collaboration with the American Physical Society's Division of Plasma Physics.

Dr. Jardin's award-winning paper, titled "A new explanation of the sawtooth phenomena in tokamaks," offered significant insights into the complexities surrounding the stability and dynamics of high-temperature magnetically confined plasma. This groundbreaking work sought to address critical questions that have long puzzled researchers in the field. The research aims to further goals set by the US Department of Energy's Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program, which focuses on developing advanced computational models.

The Impact of Dr. Jardin's Work

In his research, Dr. Jardin has made considerable advancements in effectively modeling the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equations. This mathematical approach allows for a more precise simulation of fusion-grade magnetized plasmas, aiding in the understanding of various phenomena observed during tokamak experiments. Some key phenomena his research tackles include vertical displacement events and sawtooth oscillations, which have previously been poorly understood.

Dr. Michael Mauel, Editor-in-Chief of Physics of Plasmas, emphasized that Jardin's paper was notably selected from a pool of highly cited works published in the journal over the last five years. This recognition serves to illustrate the crucial role that modern computational methods and theoretical insights play in elucidating the nonlinear processes within magnetically confined plasma, a central challenge in developing fusion energy.

Dr. Jardin's Journey in Plasma Physics

With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Dr. Jardin began his journey in this field after earning his Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 1976. He became a part of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and since 1986 has held a professorship in the Plasma Physics Faculty. Throughout his career, he has witnessed incredible advancements in computational power, with supercomputers growing approximately 1,000 times more powerful within each decade. According to Jardin, such leaps in technology have opened new avenues for calculations and research opportunities that were previously unimaginable.

He attributes much of his success to the education and experience gained from trailblazing physicists of the past and his interactions with current graduate students, mentioning Nate Ferraro as a key contributor to the refinement of their computational code and the exploration of new applications. His collaborative work with the Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC) team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has also played a crucial role in advancing their efforts.

Future Directions Inspired by AI

Looking forward, Dr. Jardin remains optimistic about the role of advanced computer modeling and its potential interplay with Artificial Intelligence in the pursuit of practical fusion energy. He draws parallels to the transformative impacts of AI on other sectors like aircraft design and weather forecasting, hoping that this will inspire the next generation of scientists to embark on similar research paths—potentially joining his team in the future.

About the Ronald C. Davidson Award

The Ronald C. Davidson Award for Plasma Physics was established to honor the significant contributions made by Ronald Davidson during his tenure as the Editor-in-Chief of Physics of Plasmas for a quarter of a century. This annual award not only acknowledges remarkable achievements in plasma physics research but also underscores the ongoing commitment to scientific excellence within this field.

About Physics of Plasmas

Published by AIP Publishing in cooperation with the APS Division of Plasma Physics, Physics of Plasmas strives to disseminate original research findings across all aspects of experimental, computational, and theoretical plasma physics. Each year, the journal also features special issues showcasing invited papers presented at the APS's most recent meetings.

AIP Publishing's Commitment

AIP Publishing is dedicated to advancing the field of physical sciences, enhancing scientific communication, and empowering researchers. As a non-profit organization, it emphasizes the importance of scholarly publishing in promoting scientific inquiry and facilitating breakthroughs for the global community.