FTPP Annual meeting 2023
The 2023 FTPP Annual Meeting will be held at the PORTLAND SHERATON® AT SABLE OAKS in Portland, Maine, from Tuesday, May 16 to Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Registration
Visit Sheraton’s website, with the link below, to register for the FTPP Annual Meeting.
- Please note to only use the link below to register for the event and proceed to the hotel reservation page, as this is the official registration webpage for FTPP participants.
- Alternatively, please register for the event with the link below first and then call the hotel to reserve your room (800.752.8810). Mention the University of Alabama in Huntsville / NSF.
- Group Code: NSF
- For payment reimbursement, please reach out to your prospective FTPP University.
- The FTPP Group Rate is available from Monday (May 15, 2023), to Thursday, (May 18, 2023). There are some rooms available for May 14, 2023. To add the extra night, please reserve your stay and call the hotel, mentioning the group name and code.
Agenda
Check-in at the Sheraton for your room will be at 4:00 pm (or after).
Check-out at the Sheraton for your room will be at 12:00 pm (or earlier).
Guest speakers
DR. TOM LOOBY

Dr. Tom Looby is a Senior Scientist at Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a startup company that is on schedule to deliver an energy gain fusion tokamak called SPARC in the mid-2020s. Tom’s area of expertise is in tokamak plasma power exhaust physics, and he is the primary developer of the HEAT code which has been used to calculate the charged particle and photon loads from the plasma for tokamaks all around the world. Tom holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Denver, and both a Masters and PhD in Nuclear Engineering from The University of Tennessee. When not doing science he can be found exploring the outdoors with trusty doggo, Tesla.
DR. HARLAN E. SPENCE

Harlan E. Spence is Director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, and is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Hampshire. Spence leads a group studying the physics of cosmic plasmas, from the Sun’s corona to Earth’s upper atmosphere, using experimental and modeling techniques. Spence was principal investigator (PI) of a comprehensive charged particle instrument suite on NASA’s Van Allen Probes mission and is PI of the NSF FIREBIRD-I and -II CubeSat missions exploring the physics of radiation belt electrons. Spence is PI of a cosmic ray sensor on NASA‘s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and is mission PI of NASA’s recently-selected HelioSwarm MIDEX. Spence earned his Ph.D. in geophysics and space physics from the University of California, Los Angeles and then worked at The Aerospace Corporation before joining the faculty at Boston University. He received an NSF Young Investigator Award, the Wisneski Award for Excellence in Teaching at Boston University, multiple Editor’s Citations for Excellence in Refereeing from AGU publications, earned numerous NASA Group Achievement Awards, and is an AAAS Fellow.
Presentation PDF
Lodging
Featuring a sauna and an indoor pool, Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks is located in South Portland and offers charming accommodations. It also provides an express check-in and check-out feature, a 24-hour reception, and an airport shuttle (upon reservation). Rooms at the hotel come with cable/satellite channels and refrigerators.
Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks’s restaurant provides American-inspired dishes, which can be enjoyed on the fresco terrace. Alternatively, there is a large selection of international restaurants close by.
Sheraton Hotel Sable Oaks South Portland is a 10-minute drive from Portland International Jetport Airport, and sightseers can easily reach Old Port by car. The Maine Mall is within walking distance.
Travel Information
HOTEL ADDRESS
200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, MAINE, USA, 04106
NEARBY AIRPORT
Portland International Jetport (PWM) – 7 min (2.2 mi)
Local Attractions

Portland (Maine) is the state’s largest town and was established by British colonists in the early 17th century as a major fishing and trade port. The Old Port neighborhood features cobblestone streets and a bustling wharf, while the Arts District offers cultural attractions such as museums, galleries, and performances. Visitors can also enjoy water activities like sightseeing tours, whale watching, and fishing charters.
Local Restaurants

Portland, Maine is frequently linked with seafood, but there are many other restaurants for visitors to enjoy. The city boasts a range of restaurants with international influences, making it easy to find the perfect dining destination.
Check out the list below by Food Network!
Poster & 3-minute flash talk competitions

Contact Information
See You There!
View, download, and upload photos from the 2023 Annual Meeting from this LINK.
