Dr. Leigh Winfrey

Leigh Winfrey is an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University where she is director of the Magnetic and Electric Field Applied Research and Science Laboratory. Her research group focuses on plasma-material interactions, plasma-fluid interactions, fusion reactor materials, fusion reactor safety, corrosion mitigation, high-level waste management, high velocity projectile launch, micro-thruster design, gas turbine engine flow control, and novel materials synthesis. Winfrey has published extensively on her research in peer-reviewed journals and is often invited to discuss her research at conferences, seminars, and colloquia.

In addition to her work in research and teaching, Winfrey is Editor of Fusion Science and Technology, a peer-review technical journal, and the leading source of information on fusion plasma physics and plasma engineering, fusion plasma enabling science and technology, fusion nuclear technology and material science, fusion applications, fusion design, and system studies.

Winfrey received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Physics from North Carolina State University both with minors in Nuclear Engineering. She received a B.A. in Chemistry and Mathematics and a B.S. in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a member of Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society.