It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics Clifford M. Surko, who was the Department of Physics’ first-ever professor of the Graduate Division. He passed away on December 7, 2024, following a brief illness. He was 83 years old.
Surko was a visionary in the fields of plasma physics, atomic physics and nonlinear dynamics. He was renowned for his pioneering research on waves and turbulence in tokamak plasmas and for developing the buffer gas positron trap, a groundbreaking invention that revolutionized antimatter research worldwide.
He was also a tireless advocate for the advancement of plasma science. He made a compelling case for federal support that resulted in favorable science policy, increased funding and new Department of Energy programming.
His latest research focused on accumulating, storing and manipulating large numbers of positrons — the antimatter equivalent of electrons.
“When I came to UC San Diego from Bell Labs, Cliff was instrumental in helping me design my lab here. He was enormously generous with his time,” said Robert Dynes, president emeritus of the University of California and former UC San Diego chancellor. “I knew him for about 50 years and enjoyed every interaction with him, whether we were discussing physics research, lab design or running marathons.”
Surko earned a double bachelor’s in physics and math and then a doctoral degree in physics from UC Berkeley. His exceptional career included positions at MIT, École Polytechnique (France) and Bell Laboratories before he joined UC San Diego in 1988. He was a member of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His achievements were celebrated with numerous honors, including the APS James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics in 2014 for his outstanding lifetime contributions to the field.
Surko was devoted to his physics students, especially undergraduate majors. He took an active, enthusiastic part in mentoring, listening to student questions and guiding them through difficult concepts. He also mentored junior faculty members, always making himself available to help others succeed.
“While Cliff is, of course, internationally known for his research accomplishments in plasma physics, he will also be remembered by so many of our students as a dedicated mentor and educator. He believed teaching wasn't just about equations, but also about helping young minds grow,” stated Chair of the Department of Physics Oleg Shpyrko. “His legacy lives on through all the students whose lives he touched and the scientific curiosity he inspired in them.”
Surko is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Pamela Surko, his son Michael, daughter Leslie, and granddaughters Claire and Emma.
