Mercer Times

David McComas, Princeton University’s vice president for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), will conclude his leadership role at PPPL to focus on the successful completion and launch of NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). McComas is the principal investigator for the IMAP mission, which is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral next year to advance understanding of the space environment in our solar neighborhood.

Peter Schiffer, Princeton’s dean for research and the Class of 1909 Professor of Physics, will succeed McComas as vice president for PPPL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory managed by Princeton University. Schiffer will maintain his dean for research role. The transition will take place on Sept. 2.

“I am grateful to David McComas for stewarding the University’s relationship with the Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Department of Energy so conscientiously over the past eight years,” said Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber. “Dave’s outstanding scientific acumen, administrative skill and personal integrity have benefited us tremendously over the course of his tenure. I wish him well as he devotes himself full-time to his research program, and I look forward to working with Peter Schiffer as he adds this new role to his portfolio.”

As PPPL vice president since 2016, McComas has served as a liaison between senior University leadership, the laboratory and the Department of Energy. At Princeton, his executive leadership has included service as a member of the President’s cabinet and the Executive Compliance Committee.

PPPL conducts essential research using plasma — the fourth state of matter — to solve some of the world’s toughest science and technology challenges, including developing fusion energy as a clean, safe and virtually limitless power source.

“I feel great about the contributions I made in overseeing PPPL as a University vice president, but I also feel that after eight and a half years, it’s time for me to focus on my other primary job,” he said. “PPPL is vital to the national interest, and it’s also vital to the national interest that we get IMAP launched and working perfectly. It’s critical for NASA heliophysics and space science, and as principal investigator, I’m responsible for the entire mission.”

Since coming to Princeton, McComas has been a half-time vice president and half-time professor of astrophysical sciences. As he transitions to a full-time role on the astrophysics faculty, he will continue leading his roughly 35-person research team, teaching his unique space physics undergraduate lab, and serving as mission leader for IMAP and other NASA missions and instruments. After stepping down as vice president, McComas will be a special adviser to the provost while continuing on boards of directors for both PPPL and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“Dave’s expertise has been timely, important and valued,” said Princeton Provost Jennifer Rexford. “PPPL's research mission towards an efficient clean energy source is critically important for humanity. Dave is a deep scientist in his own right who understands all engineering issues involved in leading-edge technology.”

Schiffer was deemed logical choice by Rexford due to diversified scope at PPPL incorporating microelectronics research among others: “The widening research at Lab increased campus connection opportunities benefiting through Dean's Office."

Over past eight years strengthening connections between Lab-campus was emphasized by McComas: "University interested advances making huge difference humanity long view exactly what fusion needs."

McComas renowned physicist multiple NASA missions holds seven patents published over 800 peer-reviewed papers prior roles Los Alamos Southwest Research Institute secured DOE contract extensions led search bringing Sir Steven Cowley director: "Steadfast partner rapid expansion inventive mindset organizational leadership asset during critical time," Cowley stated.

With fusion energy at inflection point unprecedented public-private grants advancing sector private companies' confidence noted growing technologies bringing fusion grid cited by McComas seeing major responsibilities critical points focusing energies academic career devoted space physics.

IMAP exploring solar neighborhood decoding particles messages Sun beyond cosmic shield launching providing observations answering acceleration interaction questions significant $750 million mission carrying ten instruments real-time space weather warning explained following led TWINS IBEX Parker Solar Probe Advanced Composition Explorer Ulysses New Horizons Juno Cassini receiving Arctowski Medal Distinguished Scientist Award NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal fellow American Physical Society Geophysical Union Advancement Science honors listed career highlights.

Schiffer active researcher condensed matter physicist Ph.D Stanford B.S Yale previous Yale Illinois Urbana-Champaign Pennsylvania State administrator roles current governing board American Physical Society senior fellow Association American Universities leading Office Dean expanding funding relationships facilitating compliance supporting innovation intellectual property described future legacy regional economic hub expanding affiliation importance community footprint:

"Princeton steward Lab founded ’50s part scientific legacy tradition overall portfolio opportunities undergrads graduate postdocs employees global reputation economic footprint community honored manage nation support great science," Schiffer concluded recognizing intellectual ecosystem significance managing opportunity supporting outputs noted final statement regarding ongoing institutional commitment.