National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Palm Named Director of DC Field Facility

December 20, 2007

Media Contact:
Eric Palm, (850) 644-1325
palm@magnet.fsu.edu
Susan Ray, (850) 644-9651
sray@magnet.fsu.edu

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The committee charged with selecting a new director for the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory’s DC Field user program has named veteran Mag Lab physicist Eric Palm to succeed former director Bruce Brandt, who retired in July after 15 years heading up the program.

“I am personally thankful that the talent pool at this laboratory is very deep,” said Mag Lab Director Greg Boebinger. “Eric and Scott Hannahs stepped up as interim directors to ensure smooth operation of this vital user program after Bruce’s departure, and under Eric’s leadership, the Mag Lab will continue to exceed users’ expectations.”

Palm, who has been with the Magnet Lab since 1993, was part of the team that built the lab from the ground up and has collaborated with and supported visiting researchers since the lab’s earliest days.

“This appointment will be welcomed by the user community,” said Stephen Julian, a physicist from the University of Toronto who chairs the lab’s Users Committee. “Eric is very strong technically, and he is always pushing to improve and extend measurement infrastructure. But what really stands out for users is Eric’s truly selfless dedication to on-site support.”

For the past 14 years, Palm has been responsible for running the lab’s Millikelvin Facility, which is part of the DC program. In his new role, Palm will manage a staff of 30 and oversee an annual budget of $10 million. His appointment is effective Jan. 11, 2008.

The Magnet Lab is charged by the National Science Foundation with providing the highest magnetic fields and necessary services for scientific research conducted by researchers from a wide range of disciplines. Access to the magnets and research support are free to qualified scientists and engineers at no cost. Since the lab officially opened for research in 1994, the number of visiting researchers – commonly referred to as “users” – has grown to more than 900 a year. With over 400 users of its facility alone, the DC Field program is by far the largest of the lab’s seven user programs.

“Eric Palm will bring the vision and dedication to an increasingly sophisticated user program that will ensure the program will continue to grow in quality and breadth of service needed by modern users,” said search committee Chair Neil Sullivan, one of the founding members of the Magnet Lab and director of the lab’s High B/T user program at the University of Florida.

Palm said he is honored that he was selected for this position and he’s excited by the possibilities that it presents.

“I work with a great group of people whose dedication and hard work provide our users with the opportunity to do their science,” said Palm. “Every morning I come to work energized and ready to be amazed by the discoveries that my colleagues and users make.”

Julian praised Palm’s openness to new ideas and flexibility dealing with users, two things that are very important when running a facility whose users are essentially its customers.

“I believe that he will continue Bruce Brandt’s stellar record of choosing the right people for user support,” said Julian. “And I expect that he will be innovative in drawing new users into the facility.”

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory develops and operates state-of-the-art, high-magnetic-field facilities that faculty and visiting scientists and engineers use for research. The laboratory is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the state of Florida. To learn more visit www.magnet.fsu.edu.

http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/mediacenter/news/pressreleases/2007december20.html