As a Master's student in Sustainable Nuclear Energy at Politecnico di Torino, I had the incredible 
opportunity to carry out my internship at the Swiss Plasma Center (EPFL), one of Europe’s leading 
institutions in fusion and plasma research, thanks to the support of the FuseNet funding scheme. 
My work focused on one of the key challenges in magnetic confinement fusion: power exhaust. 
Specifically, I investigated the energy exchange between electrons and ions in the Tokamak à 
Configuration Variable (TCV) using SOLPS-ITER, a state-of-the-art simulation tool for modeling the 
edge and divertor regions of tokamaks. My analysis centered on ohmic L-mode discharges, which 
allowed me to contribute to the understanding of energy transport mechanisms in the scrape-off 
layer.  

Prior to this internship, my background in plasma physics was limited. However, this experience 
allowed me to dive deep into the field, gaining not only technical skills in simulation and data 
analysis but also a much broader perspective on the complex physics that underpin fusion energy 
research.  

Beyond the academic and technical growth, my time in Lausanne was a transformative experience. 
Navigating a new research environment, collaborating with experts, and tackling a challenging topic 
helped me grow both personally and professionally. It wasn't always a straightforward journey, but 
it was undoubtedly a rewarding and enriching one.  

I am truly grateful to FuseNet for supporting this pivotal step in my academic and professional path. 
This experience has strengthened my interest in fusion and confirmed my desire to contribute to 
this exciting field in the future.