Rachel Bielajew

Biography

Rachel Bielajew is a PhD student in the Nuclear Science and Engineering Department studying magnetic confinement fusion in the Plasma Science and Fusion Center.  Her research focuses on measuring turbulence in the edge of plasmas across different types of confinement regimes at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak in Germany.  She works with the Correlation Cyclotron Emission Diagnostic, which measures turbulent electron temperature fluctuations.  She is excited about the prospect of fusion as a carbon free energy source.

Education

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2014
Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering with a minor in physics

Awards & honors

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 2018
University of Michigan Distinguished Academic Achievement Award 2014
University of Michigan Mildred and Steele Bailey Prize 2014
University of Michigan Arlen R. Hellwarth Award 2014
University of Michigan Distinguished Leadership Award 2013

Work experience

Peace Corps; Chisenga, Chitipa, Malawi; 2015-2017
Secondary School Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Life Skills Teacher