Applied Plasma Physics

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends gathered on April 26, 2012 for the Plasma Physics Laboratory 50th Anniversary Celebration, which included some of the founding faculty of the plasma lab including Robert Gross, C.K. (John) Chu, and Amiya Sen.

The day began with a series of technical and personal reflections in Davis Auditorium. Event coordinators, Professors Gerald Navratil and Michael Mauel, welcomed the attendees and gave a brief overview of the 50-year timeline. Professor and Dean Emeritus, Bob Gross, joined in via Skype and spoke about the early days of the lab. Plasma physics alumni then took the stage to share their experiences and memories over each decade. Speakers included Don Spero (Ph.D. ‘68), Jay Kesner (Ph.D. ‘70), Don McNeil (Ph.D. ‘73), Richard Post (Ph.D. ‘73), Steve Paul (Ph.D. ‘81), Steve Sabbagh (Ph.D. ’90), Dave Gates (Ph.D. ‘94), David Maurer (Ph.D. ‘00), and Oksana Katsuro-Hopkins (Ph.D. ‘07). New APAM plasma faculty, Andrew Cole and Francesco Volpe, concluded the talks by giving brief presentations on their current research and plans for the future.

The talks were immediately followed by a tour of the Plasma Physics Lab and a reception in the APAM Department. The day ended with dinner at Columbia’s Faculty House, where the highlight of the evening was the presentation (via Skype) of a 50-year photo history of the lab with messages signed by Plasma Lab alumni, followed by more personal reflections and fond memories from various guests.

Events included:

Faculty and alumni reflections

2:00 – 2:15 pm: Welcome & Brief Overview of 50 Year Timeline
Mike Mauel & Jerry Navratil

2:15 – 2:30 pm: Beginnings
Video Link to Bob Gross

2:30 – 2:50 pm: 1960’s
Don Spero – 1968
Jay Kesner - 1970

2:50 – 3:10 pm: 1970’s
Don McNeil 1974
Richard Post – 1973

3:10 – 3:30 pm: 1980’s
Steve Paul – 1981
Steve Sabbagh – 1990

3:30 – 3:50 pm: 1990’s
Dave Gates – 1993
David Maurer – 2000

3:50 – 4:10 pm: 2000’s
David Maurer – 2000
Oksana Katsuro-Hopkins – 2007

4:10 – 4:30 pm: 2010 & Beyond
Andrew Cole
Francesco Volpe

4:30 pm, 102 Mudd
plasma lab tour (please note - the lab tour may start late)

reception in the APAM Department

Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Directions to Columbia's Morningside Campus
The main entrances to Columbia's campus on Morningside Heights in Manhattan are at Broadway and 116th Street (where the subway station is) and at Amsterdam Avenue and 116th Street.

Davis Auditorium / CEPSR
The Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research (Schapiro CEPSR) is at the northern end of Columbia University's Morningside Campus. The building is on 530 West 120th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam, about half-way down the block on the south side. Davis Auditorium is on the 4th floor (campus level), room 412.

From the campus entrance, walk in along College Walk, head north up the steps, go around Low Library and to the back of Uris Hall (the Business School) to reach Davis Auditorium in Schapiro Hall. If entering the building from 120th Street, you will come through a set of iron gates. Right in front of the gate there is an elevator that will take you up to the 4th floor, where the Davis Auditorium is located (you may also use the stairs).

APAM Department / S.W. Mudd
The APAM Department is located next door to CEPSR, in room 200, on the second floor of the S.W. Mudd Building on the southwest corner of 120th Street and Amsterdam Avenue at 500 West 120th Street. If you are coming from the campus level, you will enter on the 4th floor and will need to take the stairs or elevator down to the second floor. If entering the building from 120th Street, you will be on the first floor and will need to take the stairs or elevator one flight up.

Faculty House
Faculty House is located on Columbia University’s East Campus on Morningside Drive, north of 116th Street. Enter campus through gates at 116th and Broadway. Follow College Walk across Amsterdam Avenue towards Morningside Drive. After passing Jerome Greene Hall on the left, enter Wien courtyard through the gates. Follow courtyard around to the right. Faculty House will be the last building on the right.

Public Transportation
The best way to reach campus is using the subway. Take the #1 train to 116th Street (Columbia University) station.