Prof. Marek Karliner Concludes a Decade of Leadership at the IAS
Celebrating 10 years of excellence, vision, and collaboration, as he passes the baton to Prof. Yossi Schwartz while remaining an active member of the IAS Academic Board.
On January 20, 2026, after a decade of dedicated leadership, Prof. Marek Karliner stepped down as Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) at Tel Aviv University. A farewell gathering was held in his honor, attended by TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat, Rector Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Milette Shamir, IAS Administrative Director Ayelet Fishman, incoming IAS Director Prof. Yossi Schwartz, and his wife Rina and son Dan Karliner.
Prof. Karliner, a theoretical physicist and Professor Emeritus at the School of Physics, Tel Aviv University, has been a central figure in advancing the Institute’s academic excellence. Under his leadership from 2015 to 2025, the IAS navigated through challenging periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic and national crises, without interrupting international collaboration or scholarly activity. He is widely admired for his intellectual rigor, interpersonal skills, and talent for building lasting academic connections.
During his tenure, Prof. Karliner strengthened the Institute’s commitment to excellence, fostering new initiatives and partnerships, and ensuring that the IAS remained a hub for international scholarship and innovation. Colleagues and visiting scholars alike recognized his dedication, vision, and the personal warmth he brought to his leadership role.
From left to right: Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Milette Shamir, IAS Administrative Director Ayelet Fishman, Rina Karliner (spouse), Prof. Marek Karliner and their son Dan Karliner, TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat, Rector Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, and incoming IAS Director Prof. Yossi Schwartz at his farewell celebration on January 20, 2026.
Prof. Karliner’s scientific career is distinguished by fundamental contributions to theoretical particle physics, including accurate predictions of the masses of rare particles such as the ++Xi-cc baryon and the Tcc+ tetraquark. He has held numerous leadership positions at Tel Aviv University, chaired the Israeli High Energy Physics Committee coordinating Israel’s collaboration with CERN, and has been recognized with multiple honors including the Alon Fellowship and membership in the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Prof. Yossi Schwartz is the incoming Academic Director of the IAS, continuing the Institute’s mission of fostering world-class scholarship. The IAS is delighted that Prof. Karliner will remain closely involved as a member of the IAS Academic Board, continuing to contribute his wisdom, guidance, and vision to the selection of scholars and the Institute’s ongoing activities.
The IAS extends its heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Karliner for his decade of exemplary service and leadership, and looks forward to his continued engagement in shaping the future of the Institute.
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