Didier Gambier to head European Domestic Agency

On 17 July, the Governing Board of the European Domestic Agency (Fusion for Energy) chose Didier Gambier as its Director. Mr. Gambier has extensive knowledge of the fusion community, and he has been intimately involved in the ITER negotiations. He currently heads the Joint Development of Fusion unit of the Energy Directorate of DG Research, European Commission.

"I am honoured to have been appointed as the first Director of this important new European organization," said Dr. Gambier. "With the construction of ITER and the Broader Approach Agreement with Japan, we are entering an exciting new phase of fusion energy development and I am convinced that 'Fusion for Energy' will play a key role in helping maintain Europe's strong position in fusion and support to ITER."

Dr. Gambier started his scientific career at the French Commissariat á l'Energie Atomique (CEA) and was later seconded to the JET fusion project in the UK, after which he became a principal advisor to the Director of the ITER Engineering Design Activities in San Diego, USA. He subsequently became involved in the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) in Moscow and became its Executive Director in 2003, before taking on his current post in the European Commission in 2004. Dr. Gambier has played a leading role in the negotiations for the international ITER and Broader Approach Agreements and is responsible for managing the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA).

At the same meeting, the Governing Board—the main body that supervises the activities of Fusion for Energy—also appointed Professor Carlos Varandas as its Chair and Professor Niek Lopes Cardozo as its Vice-Chair. Dr. Karl Tichmann was appointed as the Chair of the Executive Committee, a body which assists the Governing Board in a range of matters.