Valentina Alarcon
Graduate Research Assistant - NCSU-GFINE Fellow
- Email: pvalarco@ncsu.edu
- Office: Burlington 1231
About:
Valentina Alarcon is currently a second year Masters student in the FPAC Lab. Prior to beginning her graduate studies at NC State, Valentina completed her undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University with minors in Radiological Health and Holistic Engineering Leadership.
Research Interests:
Valentina’s current research involves tokamaks and diagnostics. Passionate about renewable energy, Valentina aims to harness its potential to better the future of our communities. She is particularly drawn to the many applications of plasmas, especially in nuclear fusion, to provide sustainable and clean energy solutions. Valentina enjoys exploring how plasma physics can contribute to groundbreaking technologies that support a more resilient and energy-secure world.
Current Projects:
Valentina has been working on implementing a real-time feedback controller for the Impurity Powder Dropper (IPD) in KSTAR. This project involves developing algorithms and integrating new hardware to achieve precise control of impurity injection rates. Valentina also had the incredible opportunity to travel to Korea to operate KSTAR, gaining hands-on experience with the tokamak. This experience not only advanced her technical skills, but also allowed her to network with researchers from various countries and disciplines, enriching her perspective on global collaboration in fusion research.
Outside the Lab:
Valentina enjoys traveling and exploring the world, finding inspiration in new places and cultures. She also loves expressing her creativity through drawing and painting, often taking time to work on artistic projects. Dancing is another passion of hers, providing a fun and energetic outlet to stay active and for relaxation.
