Presidential Professor Emeritus of Physics Edward M. Nadgorny passed away in July.
An internationally renowned condensed-matter physicist and dedicated educator, he served at Michigan Tech from 1990 until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his career, Nadgorny dedicated his professional life to advancing our fundamental understanding of material strength, crystal plasticity and dislocations.
Arriving at Michigan Tech in early 1990 from the Soviet Union, Nadgorny brought an international reputation as a leader in dislocation dynamics. Before his arrival, he built his scientific foundation at the prestigious Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1963 and D.Sc. in 1971 in physics. In 1964, he co-organized the new Institute of Solid State Physics near Moscow. He became the department head there, as well as a member of the scientific council of the Academy of Sciences, tasked with determining strategic directions in the field.
Nadgorny joined Michigan Tech’s physics department at a historic turning point: the transition from a teaching department to a research-oriented one, launching our first Ph.D. program. Over nearly 20 years at Michigan Tech, he established a significant research program in dislocation theory and micromechanics, contributing to the field through more than 100 scientific publications. His definitive work, “Dislocation Dynamics and Mechanical Properties of Crystals,” published by Pergamon Press in the “Progress in Materials Science” series, remains a fundamental reference for the physics of crystal plasticity and the micromechanical behavior of materials.
“Back then, I was a young assistant professor, part of a four-person junior team tasked with the daunting job of reshaping the department’s future, without quite knowing how,” said Professor Jacek Borysow. “In the middle of that whirlwind, Ed was our guide. Beyond his great scientific mind, it was his wisdom, deep poise, and gentle leadership that showed the ‘young crew’ how to build something meaningful and lead the department into its next era.”
Professor and Department Chair Ravi Pandey noted that Nadgorny was not only a distinguished, internationally renowned scholar but also a valued colleague and mentor. Nagordny’s professional trajectory – from leading the Russian Academy of Sciences to being a dedicated teacher-scholar and Presidential Professor at Michigan Tech – exemplifies a lifelong commitment to scientific advancement. The Nadgorny Endowment Fund, established by Ed and his wife, Nina, to support physics-related research and undergraduate career development, further exemplifies his dedication to the University and its students. Our scientific community will deeply miss his dedication to high standards in research, his leadership, and his warmth.
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