We sadly announce the passing of Frank Shu, a University-wide professor, member of the National Academy of Science, and pioneer in the field of astrophysics. Shu died on April 25, at the age of 79, in Taiwan.
Shu was one of the world’s most renowned theoretical astrophysicists. He made many groundbreaking contributions to the field, including co-developing the theory of spiral structure in galaxies, formulating key insights into the dynamics of star formation, elucidating the origin of meteorites, and formulating the theory of disk winds. He educated a generation of top graduate students, now leaders in the field. Shu also authored several highly regarded, widely used textbooks, most notably “The Physical Universe.” His scientific style combined insightful approaches based on first principles; mathematical rigor; and a keen awareness of, and appreciation for, observational results.
He started his career at Stony Brook University before moving to UC Berkeley in 1973 as an associate professor, where he successively became full professor, distinguished professor and chancellor’s professor. His high standing in the academic community resulted in his appointment as University Professor at the nine University of California campuses in 1998. He left Berkeley in 2002 to become president and professor at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, before coming to UC San Diego in 2006, with his University Professor status reinstated.
While at UC San Diego, Shu contributed to the understanding of disk accretion catalyzed by magnetic fields and turbulence, and constructed a model of the observed “feathering” in galactic spiral arms. He also developed a deep interest in climate change and the urgency of developing practical energy solutions. He was a devoted instructor of undergraduate and graduate courses and cared deeply about students and young people. He worked tirelessly to promote collaboration between UC San Diego and research institutions in Asia, particularly in Taiwan. While at UC San Diego, Shu was awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astrophysics, widely regarded as a top honor in the field.
In addition to the National Academy of Sciences, Shu was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, Academia Sinica, and was a foreign member of the Royal Astronomical Society. He was the recipient of numerous awards from the American Astronomical Society (AAS) including the Warner Prize (awarded to the most promising theorist under the age of 35), the Heineman Prize (awarded to distinguished mid-career astronomers for excellence in research), and the Brouwer Award (awarded for excellence in dynamical astronomy). He served as AAS president from 1994 to 1996, and was awarded the “career prize” 2023 AAS Henry Norris Russel lecture. He was also appointed to several honorary visiting professorships, including the prestigious Oort Professorship at the University of Leiden.
He received his B.Sc. in physics from MIT and his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1968.
