2021 HENAAC Awards

Dr. Diego del-Castillo-Negrete is one of the leading scientists working to perfect controlled nuclear fusion for commercial energy production – a long-sought goal in the quest to find a clean replacement source for polluting fossil fuels.

In his work as a Distinguished R&D Staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Plasma Theory and Modeling group, he conducts research to predict the dynamics of magnetically confined fusion plasmas using state-of-the-art physics models, applied mathematical methods, and computational algorithms.    

Dr. del-Castillo-Negrete’s research has resulted in the publication of over 100 papers, 3 book chapters, and over 3,900 citations.  His impressive list of associations include prestigious visiting scholar and scientific seminar invitations from institutions around the world.

A Mexico City native, Dr. del-Castillo-Negrete began his education with a B.S. degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México before pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin.  Keenly aware of the value of mentors, he continues to this day to advise graduate students from Mexico and Brazil, and he even makes time to tutor recent immigrants for their G.E.D. exams.

Although he chose U.T. Austin initially to pursue theoretical physics, he soon changed his mind and opted to study plasma physics instead – a choice that launched what has been a remarkable career. In 2000, he joined the Fusion Energy Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he’s spent the last 21 years advancing the science of fusion reactors.It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of energy depends on his success.