Luca Guazzotto

Dr. Luca Guazzotto is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Auburn University, affiliated with the College of Sciences and Mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester (2005) and a Laurea in Nuclear Engineering from Politecnico di Torino (2000). His research focuses on plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics, particularly equilibrium and stability properties of plasmas in magnetic-confinement devices like tokamaks, with an emphasis on macroscopic flow effects. He has developed influential codes such as FLOW2 and contributed to analytic equilibrium solutions for fusion applications. His work includes studies on ignition conditions, burning plasmas, and multi-fluid modeling. Guazzotto has held roles at Auburn since 2014, including Associate Professor (2014–2023) and visiting positions at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

His research integrates computational tools (e.g., FLOW2, SIM2D) and analytical methods to advance fusion energy science. Key contributions include two-fluid equilibrium modeling, analytic solutions for the Grad-Shafranov equation, and multi-dimensional plasma stability analysis. Guazzotto's publications span journals like Phys. Plasmas and Journal of Plasma Physics, addressing topics ranging from tokamak ignition to pedestal formation mechanisms.

Guazzotto's research outputs emphasize plasma dynamics and fusion reactor design, with recent works exploring realistic analytic equilibria and burning plasma profiles. His freely available codes (FLOW2, analytic equilibrium tools) facilitate broader scientific collaboration. While no explicit awards are noted, his extensive publication record and code development highlight significant academic impact.