ALBA Synchrotron Appoints Harry Westfahl Jr. to Lead Fourth-Generation Upgrade
The incoming director brings critical experience from Brazil's Sirius project to guide the facility's transition to ALBA II.
The Rector Council of the ALBA Synchrotron has appointed Dr. Harry Westfahl Jr. as its next Director. He is scheduled to take office in November, marking a leadership transition as the facility embarks on its most significant technical evolution to date.
Westfahl succeeds Caterina Biscari, who has led the facility since 2012. The appointment is strategically timed as ALBA moves toward the implementation of ALBA II, a project designed to transform the site into a fourth-generation research infrastructure. According to Biscari, Westfahl’s scientific and managerial record makes him the ideal candidate to guide this phase and expand the facility's international impact.
A Specialist in Fourth-Generation Light Sources
Westfahl arrives at ALBA with a specific pedigree in high-energy physics and infrastructure management. Since 2020, he has served as the Director of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). During his tenure there, he played a central role in the development and operation of Sirius, Brazil's own fourth-generation synchrotron light source.
His academic foundation includes a PhD in Physics from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. He furthered his expertise through postdoctoral research at the Ames Laboratory and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, blending theoretical physics with the practical demands of large-scale laboratory operations.
Strategic Implications for European Research
The transition to ALBA II represents the most ambitious phase of the facility since its original construction. By upgrading to a fourth-generation source, ALBA will significantly expand its scientific capabilities, offering higher brilliance and precision for researchers. This shift is expected to increase the facility's strategic importance for both Spain and the broader European research community, impacting a wide array of industrial applications and fundamental science.
Bringing in a leader who has already commissioned and operated a fourth-generation source like Sirius mitigates the technical risks associated with such a complex upgrade. Westfahl has stated that his goal is to strengthen ALBA's current scientific impact while ensuring the successful operational launch of ALBA II as a transformative infrastructure.
The Path Forward
As Westfahl prepares to take the helm in November, the immediate focus will be the seamless handover of leadership from Biscari and the acceleration of the ALBA II timeline. The scientific community will be watching for the specific operational milestones of the upgrade, as the facility seeks to solidify its position as a premier hub for synchrotron radiation in Europe.