University of Michigan Prize for Excellence in Plasma Science and Engineering

The Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering and the University of Michigan (UM) College of Engineering have established in 2023 the UM Prize for Excellence in Plasma Science and Engineering to acknowledge contributions to significant advances in plasma science and engineering that have or will lead to significant societal benefits. The Prize is international in scope and is awarded annually. The area of contribution of the nominee may be in any field of plasma science and engineering.

• This international opportunity is open to all persons who are or have contributed to advances in plasma science and engineering at all stages of their career and at all levels of the career ladder.
• Nominees should have documented impact of the excellence of their contributions in making significant advances in plasma science and engineering that have or will lead to broad societal benefit(s). The impact of accomplishments should be commensurate with the nominee’s stage of career.
• Nominees whose contributions are predominantly in education, public policy, government service, or industrial management are also encouraged.

The Prize recipient receives a plaque and a $5,000 honorarium; is the featured speaker at the MIPSE Annual Symposium; and has his/her/their award announced at an appropriate conference or symposium.

UM Plasma Prize Awardees

• 2025: Dr. Eric Esarey, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• 2024: Prof. David Ruzic, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 2023: Prof. Peter Bruggeman, University of Minnesota

UM Plasma Prize Nominations

The nominations portal for the 2025 UM Plasma Prize is now closed. The next call for nominations will open in January 2026.

UM Plasma Prize Selection Committees

2025:

• Chair: Peng Zhang, University of Michigan
• Nathaniel Fisch, Princeton University and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• Ken Hara, Stanford University
• Nicholas Jordan, University of Michigan
• David Ruzic, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2024:

• Chair: Thomas Mehlhorn, University of Michigan/Naval Research Laboratory (retired)
• Peter Bruggeman, University of Minnesota
• Abbas Semnani, University of Toledo
• Louise Willingale, University of Michigan
• Peng Zhang, Michigan State University

2023:

• Chair: Thomas Mehlhorn, Naval Research Laboratory (retired)
• Mirko Gamba, University of Michigan
• Abbas Semnani, University of Toledo
• Peng Zhang, Michigan State University