The Rare Isotope Science Assessment Committee (RISAC) was convened by the National Research Council in response to an informal request from the DOE's Office of Nuclear Physics and the White House Office of Management and Budget. The charge to the committee is to examine and assess the broader scientific and international contexts of a U.S.-based rare-isotope facility. The committee met for the first time on December 16-17, 2005, in Washington, DC, and held three subsequent meetings. The committee's final report was publicly released in unedited, prepublication form on Friday, December 8, 2006. The report was published in full-color by the National Academies Press in April 2007. Copies of the report were distributed to key decision makers and stakeholders around the world.

I am grateful for the many gifts in my life. Earning a Ph.D. in Physics at Stanford is no exception, and I will take a moment here to pay my respects before I take the next fork in the road. I am proud of my connection to these people, and shout out my sincere thanks and praise with great enthusiasm.Pat -As a mentor and advisor she has been a constant source of support and inspiration, embodying the skills of creative vision and mindful observation. As a friend, she's been a model of balance, openness, and sincerity. David K -Everyone needs a guide when embarking on something unknown, and David has been that older brother, wiser colleague, and the slightly more sober drinking partner. Compassionate, genuine, and dedicated! Chris and Chih-Hsiang -My drinking buddies, especially when there wasn't even any alcohol around. Brilliant, talented, and good-natured.