In the wake of the departed

Igor Viktorovich Puzynin 24.04.1938 - 17.07.2023

On 17 July 2023, Advisor to the Directorate of the Meshcheryakov Laboratory of Information Technologies JINR, Professor, Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation Igor Viktorovich Puzynin passed away. He was a world-famous scientist, who brought up generations of mathematicians and scientists in many JINR Member States.

Igor Victorovich Puzynin was born on 24 April 1938 in Voronezh. After finishing school in 1955, he entered the MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics. After the graduation from the University in 1960, I.V.Puzynin was assigned to the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics JINR. In 1966, Igor Victorovich became an employee of the new Laboratory of Computing Techniques and Automation JINR, with which all his further scientific activities are inextricably linked. At JINR, he worked his way up from a senior laboratory assistant with a higher education to the Director of Laboratory of Information Technologies. In 1969, Igor Victorovich became a Candidate of Physics and Mathematics, and in 1979 he received the degree of Doctor of Physics and Mathematics for his scientific paper “A continuous analogue of Newton’s method for numerical solution of quantum mechanics problems”.

Igor Victorovich Puzynin is a well–known scientist in the field of computational and applied mathematics. He created a new direction “computational physics” at JINR for algorithmic and software support of theoretical and experimental research based on the effective use of modern computing systems and high-speed networks. Under his leadership, JINR developed a scientific direction for the creation, theoretical justification, and practical implementation of computational physics methods for the numerical study of nonlinear multiparametric models of complex physical systems. The most important contribution to this scientific area is the development of a unified approach for the numerical analysis of boundary and spectral problems for systems of nonlinear multiparametric differential and integro-differential equations based on the generalisation of the continuous analogue of Newton’s method. Thanks to the development of this approach, a number of important physical results have been obtained in the theory of muon catalysis, the theory of the nucleus, nonlinear problems of quantum chromodynamics and condensed matter physics.

I.V.Puzynin headed the work on mathematical and software support for theoretical calculations under the Programme of Research on the Phenomenon of Muon Catalysis approved by a joint decision of the USSR State Committee on the Utilisation of Atomic Energy and the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He co-directed the Institute’s topic “Theoretical and experimental research on the electronuclear method of energy production and transmutation of radioactive waste”. Until the last day, he headed the area of the development of mathematical models and methods, algorithms and programmes for the numerical study of processes arising from the irradiation of materials using particle beams. Igor Victorovich is the author of more than 250 scientific publications.

In 1988-2000, as LCTA Deputy Director for Scientific Work, he significantly contributed to the convergence of the scientific interests of theoretical physicists and experimenters from different JINR laboratories with specialists in numerical analysis and computer processing of experimental information.

From 2000 to 2003, Igor Victorovich was the first Director of the Laboratory of Information Technologies. It was during those years that JINR initiated the development of distributed computing and grid technologies.

Since 1998, on the initiative of Igor Victorovich and under his direct leadership, international conferences on modern areas of computational physics have been regularly held.

In 2004, he received the title “Honoured Worker of Science of the Russian Federation”, he is the author of more than 250 scientific publications, he was awarded the JINR Prizes for the best scientific papers 5 times.

Professor Puzynin I.V. made a great contribution to the training of scientific personnel. Igor Victorovich was a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics of Tver State University, Head of the Department of Information Technologies of Computing Systems in Moscow Technical University “Moscow State Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation (MIREA)”. In 1968-1980, he taught at the Department of Theoretical Nuclear Physics of the MSU Faculty of Physics. Igor Victorovich was an Honorary Doctor of the University of Plovdiv (Bulgaria), an Honorary Professor of the National University of Mongolia. Under his supervision, 11 candidate theses were defended, eight of his students received a degree of Doctor of Physics and Mathematics.

Igor Victorovich Puzynin was awarded the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, II degree, the medals “Veteran of Labour” and “In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow”, the departmental insignia in the work “Veteran of Nuclear Energy and Industry”, Certificates of Honour of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, JINR and Dubna, an Honorary Diploma of JINR, the medal “50 years of Poland’s participation in JINR”, the medal “Nairamdal”, Mongolia, the MAS gold medal “Kublai Khan”, as well as Honorary titles of universities and awards of a number of JINR Member States. A great man, a talented scientist and Teacher, a wise mentor, a kind and reliable person passed away. Igor Victorovich left, leaving a deep mark on science and a bright memory for everyone who knew him. We will all miss his kind humour and wise advice very much.

The JINR and MLIT Directorates and the Laboratory staff express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Igor Victorovich. The bright memory of a wonderful man and a real scientist will always be with us.