Samy Kerboua-Benlarbi, Postdoctoral Researcher
I recently started a postdoc in the theory group! I will collaborate with Alessandro Pau and Olivier Sauter on developing machine learning-based approaches for surrogate modeling and control strategies.
I obtained my PhD last November from Université Côte d’Azur and CEA Cadarache, where my research focused on reinforcement learning for magnetic control of the WEST tokamak. It aimed to replicate and extend the initial works jointly conducted by the SPC and Google DeepMind on TCV. More broadly, I am interested in neural networks for dynamical systems, and their interpretability through the prism of control theory.
Besides tokamaks, you can hear me spend hours discussing pastry cooking, cinema, fantasy and sci-fi universes. I practiced martial arts (judo, karate) and plan to continue training here in Switzerland. Finally, I’m passionate about adventure motorcycling and can’t wait to embark on trips to explore the stunning Swiss landscapes.
I am looking forward to meeting all of you, and see you around!
Francesco Carpanese, Postdoctoral Researcher
I joined the Swiss Plasma Center as a postdoctoral researcher after completing my PhD there, which focused on the development of a magnetic equilibrium code. Between my PhD and my postdoc, I worked in a private company, where I specialized in creating surrogate models for engineering simulations. Today, I try to bring these two areas of expertise together: I work at the intersection of magnetic control, disruption prevention, and surrogate modeling, collaborating in particular with CFS and SPARC.
Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends and making the most of quality moments with my family.
Daniel Gonzalez Castineiras, Software Development Engineer
I’m a Spanish Software Development Engineer working on maintaining and expanding the software platforms used to build the real time control system of TCV.
Previously I was a Software Development Engineer working at Amazon Madrid, however the industry strict shipping schedules and lack of innovation moved me to search for a job in a research environment. Prior to that I was a firmware/software engineer and team lead of a Student-lead Hyperloop research group.
I love to talk about technology, science, computer science and hot topics. I also spend most of my free time working on side-projects. So is a pleasure to be here and I’m looking forward to meet all of you!
David Khatanassian, Control engineer
I am a control engineer from EPFL, joining the control team to maintain and develop the real-time control system of the TCV.
Although I was born and raised in a small village near Lausanne, I also traveled a lot and lived in Poland, Germany, and in the German-speaking Switzerland (which feels like a country in itself…).
In my free time I enjoy prototyping, product development, and repairing things (I am still using an iPhone 6s). I am also quite active, practicing ski touring, cycling, running, and martial arts. As a jazz
enthusiast, I love attending jam sessions, while enjoying a nice drink.
Bassem Sudki, Mechanical engineer
I collaborate with the construction office team of Matthieu Toussaint. I already worked at SPC between 2015-2016 and therefore know some of you. I spent slightly less than a decade in the Swiss industry in the field of high precision mostly related to the watch and micromechanics industries. I will first work on the NBH grids with Alexander Karpushov and Aleksandr Listopad. My skills and knowledge mainly include mechanical design and analysis, dynamic mechanical system modelling, thermal and fluidic dimensioning, and simulation.
Besides works, I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend and my 1-year-old son. I spend the small amount of time left fixing and racing motorcycles.
Louis Jeannin, Mechanical Engineer
I am pleased to inform you that I have joined the construction office within Matthieu Toussaint’s team.
I will be working there as a mechanical engineer, initially focusing on the Gyrotron Test Stand. Having spent six years working in the space industry, I am passionate about cutting-edge technologies and am thrilled to join the SPC teams.
More generally, I enjoy sports (football, volleyball, cycling, swimming…) and have a strong interest in anything related to mechanics, whether directly or indirectly.
Franciszek Sobczuk, Postdoctoral Researcher
I have joined the group of Ivo Furno, and I will work with Christine Stollberg on plasma diagnostics. I have finished my PhD in the field of plasma physics one year ago at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. The topic of my thesis was Thomson scattering performed with an ultra-high spectral resolving power. Among other, my scientific interests are laser techniques in plasma science, experimental astrophysics, and nonlinear optical devices. Additionally, I am interested in everything which relates to high resolution spectroscopy, and which could be useful for fundamental research, e.g. looking for physics beyond the Standard Model.
Time outside the Institute I would like to spend on hiking with my family. I am also an enthusiast of rock climbing. I hope to find here nice places and companions for this activity.
Alex Battey, Postdoctoral Researcher
I am working with Umar Sheikh on runaway electron experiments with a particular focus on designing the new runaway electron mitigation coil (REMC). I have some previous experience with this as I helped design and model similar coils intended for the DIII-D and SPARC devices.
Hobby-wise like to spend my free time doing various sports. I played volleyball and basketball in high school before playing NCAA volleyball at my undergraduate. Since college my interests have shifted a bit and I spend my free time doing martial arts (Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai, and boxing) or exploring the outdoors with fishing and backpacking. I am very interesting in exploring some new hobbies like skiing and sailing while I am here in Switzerland. My primary intellectual hobby is learning languages having taught myself Japanese up to an N4 level back in the US but my focus has now entirely shifted to French.
I was born and raised in Southern California but went to New York for college and my PhD at Wells College and Columbia University where I met my wife Naveed. We are currently living in Geneva so that she can look for job in the public policy sector.
I am very much looking forward to getting to know everyone so please don’t hesitate to say hello!
Alysée Khan, PhD student
I completed my Master’s in Nuclear Engineering last year. I already did my Master’s thesis here at SPC, working on a diagnostic for detecting Bremsstrahlung photons emitted by runaway electrons. I am delighted to be back for a PhD, which I am pursuing under the supervision of Olivier and Christian! We will be working on a new probe that will enter the plasma to study plasma boundary physics.
But I do not spend my entire life trying to detect things. I enjoy spending time in nature and doing a bit of photography. I also love music and getting outside for some sports with friends—so if you need an extra player (or someone to document your victory), count me in!
Martino Bonisolli, PhD student.
I will be working with Stefano and Benoit on turbulence and transport, especially using reflectometry, looking forward to doing some great science!
A bit about myself:
I studied Physics in Italy and Germany (did my thesis on the Ball-Pen Probe at IPP), then spent a year at the University of Milano-Bicocca running FIDA simulations for DTT and analyzing divertor heat flux using TCV data.
I’m from Modena (you may know it for balsamic vinegar and Ferrari). I’m a very outgoing person and love hanging out with people. If you’re up for playing volleyball or any mountain sport, aperitivos or going to art exhibitions, just hit me up!
Oraz Anuaruly, PhD student
My name is Oraz Anuaruly and I’m eager to start my project at your wonderful institute. I am going to work with Dr. Stephan Brunner and Dr. Justin Ball on the formation of Internal Transport Barriers. The work implies gyrokinetic modeling of conditions presumably favorable for the formation of ITBs and experimental detection on TCV of anything we can predict. Although I am a theoretician, I will be glad to be on the same wavelength with the experimentalists so as not to forget about the existence of the latter. Hope I don’t break any diagnostics.
I was born in Kazakhstan, got my bachelor’s degree in Moscow, and my master’s degree at the Kurchatov Institute. No, I haven’t seen T-3 tokamak, only T-10. I’ve been dreaming of being part of the fusion community since high school, so I’m thrilled to be here with you.
I didn’t know what else to add about myself, so, being an amateur astronomer, let me show you the photo of Orion Nebula (M42) that I made. The quality of the sky in my city is terrible, so don’t judge strictly.
Filippo Bertini, AI Control Engineer
I have joined the group of Alessandro Pau and Olivier Sauter, currently working on managing off-normal events and disruptions (DEFUSE). I have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Advanced Automotive Engineering. Throughout my academic career, I completed two internships, both focused on AI and its applications. After my Master graduation I have been employed as a Machine Learning Data Scientist at NAIS (Bologna) for more than 2 years.
I have been collaborating with Lamborghini on various projects, including fuel consumption optimization using reinforcement learning, unsupervised algorithms and dimensionality reduction techniques. Other projects involved optimizing powertrain usage and predicting exhaust system physical quantities using PINNs for Hardware-in-the-Loop implementation. I also collaborated with Ferrari on anomaly detection with CAEs and boosting models on F1 car data. I implemented CNNs architectures to predict CFD simulation results and I also explored the application of GCNNs to advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations.
Ever since I was a child, physics has always been a source of reflection, understanding, and curiosity for me. I find nothing more interesting than understanding how the world around me works. I love art, in particular music and enjoy playing the guitar and singing. Additionally, I am currently dedicated to woodturning.
Hugo Chkroun, PhD student
I started my PhD in the SPC Theory Group. I will be continuing the work of Fabien Jeanquartier, studying instabilities in kinetic-MHD models and developing code for numerical simulations, under the supervision of Jonathan Graves and Stephan Brunner.
Last summer, I completed my Master’s in Physics at EPFL, with a specialization in theoretical high-energy physics. While that was a wonderfully fun and stimulating experience, I’m now excited to return to a field of physics with more tangible, real-world impact.
Outside of physics, I spend much of my time doing sports. I play football in a local club four times a week. I also enjoy cooking, climbing (still a newbie at bouldering), hiking in the mountains, swimming in the lake, and having drinks with friends. Occasionally, I also bike, ski and surf.