NRL Plasma Physicist Elevated to IEEE Fellow

WASHINGTON, D.C.   –   The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has elevated Arati Dasgupta, Ph.D., an internationally recognized atomic and plasma physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), to the grade of IEEE Fellow. This honor recognizes her contributions to the field of plasma science and her dedication to the broad scientific community.
 
IEEE Fellow is a distinction reserved for select IEEE members whose extraordinary accomplishments have contributed importantly to the advancement and application of engineering, science and technology, bringing the realization of significant value to society. Less than 0.1% of voting members are selected annually for this member grade elevation.
 
"I am deeply honored," Dasgupta said. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my colleagues at NRL and the broader plasma science community. I am committed to continuing my research and to mentoring the next generation of scientists to address the grand challenges of our time."
 
Dasgupta, head of NRL's Radiation Hydrodynamics Branch in the Plasma Physics Division, was also the recipient of the IEEE Plasma Science and Applications Committee (PSAC) Award in June 2024. She received the award for her fundamental contributions to, and leadership of, high energy density (HED) plasma, atomic, and radiation physics, fusion applications, and service to the plasma science community.
 
“Elevation to IEEE Fellow is quite an achievement and a recognition of Dr. Dasgupta’s sustained contributions to the field of plasma physics”, said Bruce Danly, Ph.D., NRL’s Director of Research.
 
“Such an honor is well deserved recognition for Dr. Dasgupta’s contributions to high energy density plasma, atomic, and radiation physics,” said Peter Matic, Ph.D., NRL’s Associate Director of Research.
 
Dasgupta is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in the field of Radiation HED materials, with strong collaborations with national labs and universities around the world. Her expertise in atomic and plasma modeling and spectroscopy, and her contributions in analyzing HED radiation source development and Inertial Confinement Fusion experiments with institutions such as Sandia National Laboratories, the National Ignition Facility, and NRL’s NIKE laser facility have resulted in numerous publications and enduring partnerships.
 
“Dr. Dasgupta's research has impacted our understanding of how matter behaves under extreme conditions, with profound implications for fields such as inertial confinement fusion, astrophysics, and the development of advanced materials,” said Alexander Velikovich, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for NRL’s Radiation Physics and HED Materials.
 
Her sophisticated modeling and simulation techniques to analyze complex plasma phenomena has made significant contributions to the understanding of how atoms behave in extreme environments, including the development of advanced models for predicting the properties of highly ionized atoms. Her work has focused on understanding how radiation is generated and transported through HED plasmas, which is crucial for the success of inertial confinement fusion and other applications.
 
In 2010, Dasgupta was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society. In 2014, she was elected a Fellow of Washington Academy of Sciences. In 2013, Dasgupta was invited by Yale University, among 35 other physicists, engineers, and chemists, to contribute a chapter about her personal experience in the book “Blazing the Trail: Essays by Leading Women in Science”.

Beyond her research contributions, Dasgupta is a dedicated advocate for STEM education, exemplified by her dedication as a mentor and role model for younger scientists, women, and underrepresented communities. For many years, she has been the leader of the NRL Division of Plasma Physics mentor program and has also been heavily engaged in outreach activities at national and international conferences through IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), Women in Science & Engineering (WISE), and the APS Division of Plasma Physics Women in Plasma Physics Committee. She has organized events and served on panels at conferences for WIE and WISE and served as Chair of the Women in Plasma Physics Committee (APS-DPP) and president of the NRL WISE Chapter.

 
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
 
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
 
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@us.navy.mil.