Fernando Alba Andrade, Dean of Physics, has passed away

Francisco Morales F.

Scientist Fernando Alba Andrade, a prominent researcher in nuclear energy, Mexico’s representative to international organizations, the National Science Prize, and the first UNAM qualified physicist, has died at the age of 102.

Dean of all generations of physicists presented by the highest house of studies, graduated in 1943, Alba Andrade is remembered, among many pioneering efforts, for overseeing the construction of the country’s first positive particle accelerator, called Van de Graaf of 2 MV, installed at Ciudad Universitaria.

According to his official profile at the UNAM Institute of Physics, of which he was director from 1957 to 1970, with the accelerator he conducted important studies of nuclear interactions in light nuclei, as well as a series of measurements of the effective sections of neutrons. Published in the prestigious Physical Review magazine.

Also the first Doctor of Physics from UNAM, in 1956, Alba Andrade was, until yesterday, the oldest National Science Prize in the country, having received it in 1969.

Sent by UNAM to complete his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he is considered a pioneer in experimental physics in Mexico for original design tools and specialized tools at the university’s physics workshops.

He was also the head of the National Nuclear Energy Commission, later called the National Institute of Nuclear Energy and governor of Mexico before the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“The Institute of Physics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico deeply regrets the passing of Dr. Fernando Alba Andrade, an emerging researcher and former director of our institute, who was also the Scientific Research Coordinator and a member of the Board of Directors,” he said. The dependency I was heading.

“Pioneer of experimental physics and scientific instrumentation in Mexico. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” he said.

In his honor, the Institute of Physics has awarded the Fernando Alba Medal since 2003 for outstanding experimental scientific research.

Publication time: 15:55 hours.