Mark E. Koepke, Robert C. Byrd Professor of Physics in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University, has been appointed affiliated professor in plasma physics at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden.

The professorship will last until 2009 and is renewable.

Koepke has been collaborating with researchers at KTH in the Hannes Alfvén Labnamed for the Swedish plasma physicist who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1970since 1998.

In recent years, the level of his partnership with the lab has markedly increased, and their longtime relationship has culminated in the prestigious recognition.

This appointment will help to intensify our collaboration,Koepke said.KTH has a plasma device that will provide the means to further research into an area previously unavailable in our program.

I will also be better equipped to help build the plasma physics program there and to assist in efforts to maintain the high reputation of the Hannes Alfvén Lab,he added.

Koepke specializes in plasma physics. He has collaborations in many countries, including Norway, Japan, Germany, Scotland and Canada as well as Sweden.

For more information, contact Koepke at mkoepke@wvu.edu or 304-293-3422 ext 1456.