Aqil studies the interactions between the hot, energetic plasma and the solid materials within the ZaP-HD device. His PhD research will improve our understanding of material erosion and impurity production in flow Z-pinch devices to inform the development of fusion power plants and space propulsion systems. Outside of the lab, Aqil enjoys playing soccer, climbing, reading, and learning about different cultures. He hails from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Louk is a Master’s student, studying Aeronautics & Astronautics, with a concentration in Plasmas. He has a history of developing his own hall effect thruster, as well as a linear induction motor for the hyperloop team at UC Davis, where he went for his Bachelor’s degree. As long as he can remember, space has always fascinated him, and he wants to advance humanity toward this final frontier through contributions to fusion energy, which holds the promise of access to the stars beyond our sun.

Jared analyzes plasma accelerator and assembly physics within the ZaP-HD device to realize paths to increased repeatability, stability, density and temperature. His work will aim to inform the design for future fusion reactor scale devices.  In his free time, Jared is an avid ski mountaineer, dancer and PC enthusiast.

Harry S. McLean (PhD Nuclear Engineering, UC Berkeley 1990) is the Program Leader for the Fusion Energy Sciences Program (FESP) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the Physics Division of the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate. Harry has over 35 years of experience in advanced fusion energy concepts in both magnetic and inertial confinement fusion areas. With our lab, he coordinates the LLNL components of DOE ARPA-E sponsored collaborations exploring the potential of scaling the flow-stabilized pinch configuration to burning plasma conditions.