Annie Kritcher, design physicist and lead for integrated modeling in the Inertial Confinement Fusion program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has been awarded the 2024 David J. Rose Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award by Fusion Power Associates (FPA). Presented annually since 1987 in memory of MIT Professor David J. Rose, the award honors early-career professionals who have made significant technical achievements and demonstrate potential to become influential leaders in the fusion community.
Kritcher was recognized for her pivotal role as the lead designer and team lead of the first experiment to achieve fusion ignition and fusion energy target gain exceeding unity at the National Ignition Facility.
"Achieving controlled fusion ignition in the laboratory was an extraordinary effort that spanned many decades and involved a vast array of technical expertise. I am grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in achieving this milestone," said Kritcher. "Our commitment to advancing fusion research is essential for both national security and a sustainable, clean-energy future."
Kritcher's work was instrumental in setting the strategic direction for the December 2022 campaign. She is responsible for designing the target and laser input conditions to the experiment, utilizing theory and complex multi-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics simulations, coupled with experimental data, to achieve ignition.
"I am deeply honored to receive this award alongside the remarkable scientists who have been previously recognized, and in memory of the award's namesake, Professor Rose," Kritcher said. "This recognition inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible."
The award will be presented at the FPA's 45th annual meeting on Dec. 2-3, 2024, in Washington, D.C., under the theme "Fusion Energy: Progress, Challenges and Promise."
This year, the award also will be presented to Cami Collins from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who is recognized for her pioneering scientific contributions, including the first observation of critical gradient-driven energetic particle transport.
