2026 Delegation

Juan Miguel Valderrama

Chair

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Juan is a PhD student in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He completed his undergraduate studies in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Florida, where he researched physics-informed deep learning methods for plasma physics applications. At UW–Madison, Juan’s graduate research focuses on developing computational tools to better understand tritium breeding, movement, and accountancy in future fusion power plants. Outside of research, he enjoys visiting new coffee shops and finding new sunset-watching spots around Madison.

Jessica Eskew

Vice Chair

Auburn University

Jessica is a PhD candidate at Auburn University working with Professor Evdokiya Kostadinova. Her research focuses on the transport of runaway electrons in magnetically confined fusion devices such as the DIII-D tokamak. She earned her BS in Physics, with a concentration in Astrophysics, at the Georgia Institute of Technology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she taught high school physics for a year at the Wesleyan School. In addition to serving on FuSD, Jessica serves on the APS Committee on the Status of Women in Physics and the Advisory Board for the APS Gender Inclusive Community.

Lauryn Kortman

Vice Chair

University of Michigan

Lauryn is a second-year Nuclear Engineering PhD student at the University of Michigan, where she studies radiation effects on plasma-facing materials using experimental triple-beam ion irradiations. She earned her BS in Materials Science from MIT in 2024, where she researched radiation effects on high-temperature superconductors for fusion applications. Outside of her research, she enjoys cycling, blacksmithing, and traveling.

Nivedan Vishwanath

Vice Chair

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Nivedan is a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research involves developing quantum-enhanced laser diagnostics for fusion-relevant environments. He earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he worked on high-powered rocketry,  an experience that sparked his interest in plasma physics and led him to UW–Madison. Outside of work, you’ll find Nivedan sailing or hiking around the Madison area.

Omar Alsaeed

North Carolina State University

Omar is a fourth-year PhD Candidate at North Carolina State University. He holds a BA in Physics (with a minor in Computer Science) from Middlebury College and a BE in Energy Engineering from Dartmouth College. His research investigates instability in low-temperature plasmas with applications in semiconductor manufacturing. Omar is driven by the belief that plasma technology can make the world a better place. In his free time, he enjoys reading, visual art, and non-competitive triathlon training.

Venus Aradhya

California Institute of Technology

Venus is a second-year undergraduate Physics and Electrical Engineering student at Caltech working in Professor Paul Bellan’s lab. Her research involves building spectroscopy diagnostics to study Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities and magnetic-helicity dynamics. Previously, she constructed a heterodyne interferometer to probe plasma density in a Z-pinch device at Zap Energy. Outside of work, she enjoys live jazz and alpine skiing.

Charlie Behrman

Purdue University

Charlie is a third-year undergraduate Nuclear Engineering honors student at Purdue University. His research focuses on understanding microscale gas breakdown in plasma devices, which he studies through computer simulations (PIC) and mathematical modeling. He is motivated by a passion for advancing fusion energy and by the challenge of understanding magnetically confined plasmas. Outside of research, he enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and following Formula One.

Avery Davis

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Avery is a first-year undergraduate and Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC–Chapel Hill from Garden City, New York. She is majoring in Applied Sciences and Classics, with a strong interest in fusion power. She wrote a children’s book about fusion titled Fusion Nova and delivered a TEDxAndover talk to help increase youth engagement in the field. Avery hopes to continue her fusion education efforts through FuSD. In her free time, she enjoys watching old movies, rowing, and spending time outdoors.

Corina Dunn

Princeton University

Corina is a first-year PhD student at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where she studies magnetic reconnection, a plasma process in which magnetic field lines break and rearrange. She received her BA in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2025. Outside of research, Corina enjoys arts and crafts and trying interesting produce.

Jack Fletcher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jack is a fourth-year PhD student at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, where his research focuses on developing computational methods to reduce uncertainties in neutron diagnostics. He received a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science, with minors in German, Mathematics, and Physics, from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2022. Jack’s policy interests span energy and national security, particularly the role nuclear technologies play in both areas. In his free time, he plays the tuba in brass bands around Massachusetts.

Kate Krogen

William & Mary

Kate is a first-year PhD student at William & Mary, where she plans to study magnetic confinement fusion. She received her BS at Centre College, majoring in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Spanish. She spent two summers conducting tokamak research at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, which inspired her passion for plasma physics. In her free time, Kate enjoys swimming and playing the violin.

Elyse Lian

University of Washington

Elyse is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Washington majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Physics. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the UW Flow Z-Pinch Lab, where she is developing a spectroscopic diagnostic to study plasma–material interactions. She also has experience working with interferometry and soft x-ray detector systems. Elyse joined FuSD to take an active role in advancing fusion energy policy and to explore how different sectors contribute to the field. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running and baking.

Matt Tobin

Columbia University

Matt is a PhD Candidate in Plasma Physics at Columbia University. His current research focuses on real-time stability monitoring for disruption avoidance in tokamaks. Before graduate school, his interests in field-reversed configurations and aneutronic fuel cycles led him to join TAE Technologies as a Junior Scientist. Matt is passionate about education outreach, policy in support of science, and evidence-based policymaking, all of which motivated him to participate in FuSD. He holds a BSE. in Mechanical Engineering and Physics from Duke University.

Emma Zoccoli

Georgia Institute of Technology

Emma is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at Georgia Tech with a strong interest in fusion energy. She completed a Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where she studied fissile production in fusion blankets for nonproliferation applications. Her current interests include tritium breeding, extraction, and the policies needed to support fusion’s growth across the public and private sectors. Emma plans to continue working at the intersection of fusion engineering and nuclear security as she pursues graduate studies in nuclear engineering.

Clarissa Zuo

University of California, Los Angeles

Clarissa is a third-year undergraduate Physics student at UCLA. Her research focuses on simulating a radio-frequency heating antenna in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA. In her free time, she enjoys reading, climbing, and baking.