Ian Abel

Dr. Ian Abel is an Associate Research Scientist at the Institute for Research in Electronics & Applied Physics (IREAP) at the University of Maryland, where he has been since 2018. His expertise spans fusion energy, plasma physics, and computational modeling. Abel holds a B.A. in Mathematics (2006) and M.S. in Applied Mathematics (2007) from the University of Cambridge, followed by a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Oxford (2012). His research focuses on magnetically confined fusion systems, particularly edge dynamics in tokamaks and innovative centrifugal mirror concepts. He has contributed to the development of gyrokinetic simulation tools like the GX code and the MaNTA transport model.

Abel’s work also explores machine learning applications in plasma turbulence analysis and centrifugal mirror fusion reactor design for space propulsion. His research leverages advanced numerical methods, including GPU-native algorithms and adjoint-based optimization techniques for plasma equilibria. Key projects include the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX), where he investigates plasma confinement and transport phenomena.

His publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, integrating computational fluid dynamics, statistical physics, and high-performance computing to address challenges in fusion energy and plasma dynamics. While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to gyrokinetic turbulence modeling and centrifugal confinement systems are central to current fusion research.