David John Rose

David John Rose (1922–1985) was an American professor of nuclear engineering at MIT.

Education

Rose received a B.A.Sc. degree in engineering physics from the University of British Columbia in 1947 and a Ph.D. degree in physics from MIT in 1950. He joined the faculty of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at MIT when it was formed in 1958.

Work history

Rose served as captain in the Canadian artillery from 1942 to 1947. He worked at Bell Laboratories until joining the MIT Nuclear Engineering faculty in 1958. He led the development of the department's program in plasmas and controlled fusion, and was on the MIT faculty for the rest of his professional career. From 1969 to 1971, during a two-year leave of absence, he worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was the first director of their office of Long-range planning.

Rose's career was said to have three phases: scientist and engineer; technology/policy analyst; and "bridge builder" between scientific and theological communities.

Rose retired in December 1984, and moved to Honolulu, HI.

Publications, testimony and other history

Rose wrote over 150 articles ranging from high technology to theology. He was author of the widely cited Plasmas and Controlled Fusion, with Melville Clark, which became the standard textbook in the field of fusion energy.

He testified to Congress in 1977. He was the primary author of Learning about Energy, published posthumously in 1986.

Shortly before his death, and days before he was hospitalized, Rose wrote an article opposing Star Wars (SDI) and asking for support for a petition against it.

Rose died on October 24, 1985.

Honors, Awards and recognitions

Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow of the American Physical Society Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. 1975 Arthur Holly Compton Award of the American Nuclear Society for excellence in teaching James R Killian Jr Faculty Achievement Award and lecturer in 1979–80 1984 David J. Rose Lecture was established in his honor, to recognize his work in fusion technology, energy and environment impact, nuclear waste management, and ethical issues of science and technology. 1986 Fusion Power Associates established an annual prize for excellence in fusion engineering in Rose's honor.