Zhou Guangzhao

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Zhou Guangzhao
ForMemRS
周光召
Born(1929-05-15)May 15, 1929
Changsha, Hunan, China
DiedAugust 17, 2024(2024-08-17) (aged 95)
Alma materTsinghua University
Beijing University
OccupationPhysicist
Years active1957–2024
Organization(s)Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
China Academy of Engineering Physics
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
European Organization for Nuclear Research
US National Academy of Sciences
Websiteroyalsociety.org/guangzhao-zhou
In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhou.

Zhou Guangzhao ForMemRS (Chinese: 周光召; pinyin: Zhōu Guāngzhāo; May 15, 1929 – August 17, 2024) was a Chinese theoretical physicist who served as President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1987 to 1997.[1]

Early life and education

Zhou Guangzhao was born on May 15, 1929, in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. He was the 5th child of the civil engineer Zhou Fengjiu,[2] and the younger brother of biochemist/geneticist Zhou Guangyu. He graduated from Tsinghua University in 1951, and then did graduate work in theoretical physics for three years at Beijing University. He stayed at Beijing Univ. on the faculty after completing his PhD. In 1957 he was sent to the USSR by the Chinese Atomic Energy Research Institute to work at the Dubna Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.[1]

Professional career

Zhou returned to China in 1960, where he worked on the Chinese nuclear weapons program, ultimately becoming director of the Chinese Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, now the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP). He was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and later became the Vice President (1984–1987) and President (1987–1997) of the CAS.

Zhou's theoretical work focuses on particle physics.

He first visited the US in 1979. In the 1980s he spent time as a visiting researcher at the University of California and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.[1]

Death

Zhou died on August 17, 2024, at the age of 95.[3]

Honors

The asteroid 3462 Zhouguangzhao is named after him.[4][5]

Zhou was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 1987.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Zhou Guangzhao". China Vitae. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "One of a Hundred Thousand: ZHOU Guangzhao-The Story of a Scientific Hero". In the Spotlight. Qiu Shi Science & Technology Foundation. Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  3. ^ ""两弹一星功勋奖章"获得者周光召逝世，享年95岁". The Paper. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  4. ^ "(3462) Zhouguangzhao = 1950 TL2 = 1977 SQ2 = 1977 TL6 = 1981 UA10". International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center. The International Astronomical Union. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Minor Planet Circ. 26424
  6. ^ "Zhou Guangzhao". Member Directory. National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
Academic offices
Preceded by President of Chinese Academy of Sciences
1987–1997 		Succeeded by