David Hatch

A research professor at the Institute for Fusion Studies in the Physics Department at the University of Texas at Austin, Hatch has research interests  oriented around both fundamental and applied aspects of nonlinear plasma dynamics. A major part of this work exploits the power of high performance computing to understand and optimize turbulent transport in fusion devices.  In particular, Hatch is pioneering the use of gyrokinetic simulations in the critical edge transport barriers that will largely determine the appeal and practicality of fusion as an energy source.  On the fundamental side, Hatch pursues a deep understanding of kinetic plasma turbulence—the injection, redistribution, and ultimate dissipation of turbulent energy in a high-dimensional phase space.