IAS mourns the passing of Distinguished Guest Professor Rudolf Podgornik

   With great sadness, we announce the passing of Professor Rudolf Podgornik. Professor Podgornik was set to visit the Institute of Advanced Studies as our Lowy Distinguished Guest this Spring. He visited the Institute of Advanced Studies in the past as a Sackler Fellow and Nirit and Michael Shaoul Fellow.

   Distinguished academic, Prof. Podgornik was a Professor Emeritus of Physics and Biophysics at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and currently held a Chair Professorship at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and the Institute of Physics (IoP) in Beijing, China. 

   A highly respected scientist, Prof. Podgornik built an impressive international network of collaborations, working alongside colleagues in France, Germany, the United States, China, and Israel. He co-authored about 400 papers in the areas of physics of DNA, chromatin, and viral capsids, mesophases of nucleosomes, forces between macromolecules (DNA, polyelectrolytes, etc.), Lifshitz field theory of dispersion (var der Waals) interactions in continuum media, polymers, and biopolymers, field theory of Coulombic systems such as ionic solutions, membranes, and polyelectrolytes. Prof. Podgornik’s exceptional work was recognized with numerous accolades, most notably the Zois National Award for Excellence in Scientific Research in 1999, Slovenia’s highest honor for scientific achievement, which can be awarded only once in a lifetime.

   Prof. Podgornik was a frequent visitor to Tel Aviv University, he interacted extensively with colleagues from the Engineering and Exact Sciences faculties. His close collaboration with Prof. Andelman and his group resulted in about 20 publications over the years. Prof. Podgornik was not only a brilliant scientist but also a kind and inspiring mentor. His dedication to his students and colleagues left an indelible mark on the scientific community. He will be deeply missed by all of us. 

   The Institute for Advanced Studies extends its heartfelt condolences to Professor Podgornik’s family and colleagues during this difficult time. His passing is a profound loss to the scientific community.