Russell Kulsrud was not only a lifelong mentor to me but also a close friend and constant companion in my research journey. He played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of plasma physics during the early era of nuclear fusion research and later became a leading authority in astrophysical plasma physics, particularly in magnetic dynamo theory and magnetic reconnection.
Russell’s influence extended far beyond his scientific achievements. He inspired generations of colleagues and students with his deep insight, intellectual curiosity, and gentle kindness toward everyone he encountered. His presence was remarkable—calm, wise, and quietly charismatic.
Over the past three decades, Russell and I worked closely together on the study of magnetic reconnection, especially following the construction of the MRX device at Princeton. Our many discussions were filled with discovery, humor, and friendship. I cherish those moments deeply and will always miss him.
Thank you very much Masaaki for the very nice and warm words about Russell!
This is indeed a great loss for all of us.
Russell Kulsrud was one of the greatest scientists of our age, a towering figure in theoretical plasma physics and astrophysics. His many seminal, truly foundational contributions have guided the development of theoretical thought in plasma physics and have influenced — and I am sure will continue to influence for decades to come! — broad swaths of research in thermonuclear fusion, space physics, and plasma astrophysics. Among his most important scientific achievements are his work on the MHD Energy Principle for studying plasma stability, laying down the theoretical foundations for Kinetic Magnetohydrodynamcs framework, developing the theory of Cosmic-Ray propagation and confinement due to wave-particle interactions, elucidating the dynamo mechanisms of magnetogenesis in astrophysics, and his insightful contributions to our understanding of magnetic reconnection. While he was a theoretical physicist of the highest caliber, he also genuinely appreciated and was interested in real laboratory experiments. In particular, his long-term collaboration with Masaaki Yamada and Hantao Ji on the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment at PPPL has been highly influential and inspiring.
In addition to his own scientific breakthroughs, Russell’s immense influence on plasma physics and astrophysics is amplified by his remarkable (and probably unmatched in modern plasma physics) legacy as a mentor and teacher. His academic progeny includes many of today’s scientific leaders in both fusion plasma physics and astrophysics. Through them, Russell continues to shape and guide the development of theoretical plasma physics. Many of them, of course, feel very sad today about Russell’s passing, but also feel extremely fortunate and grateful to having been his PhD students, postdoctoral mentees, or simply colleagues and collaborators.
This includes myself — I was Russell’s PhD student at PPPL in the 1990s, working with him on magnetic reconnection, and then also kept in touch and collaborated with him afterwards. I warmly cherish my memories of the many hours we spent arguing about magnetic reconnection at the blackboard in his office, his patience and human kindness, his jokes, his exceptional scientific honesty, and his sincere and contagious intellectual curiosity that has always been his primary driving force. And his friendship. I am honoured to call him my Teacher, with a capital “T”. I learned so much from him, both about plasma physics itself and about how research is done. He made me into a scientist and he continues to inspire me – and, I am sure, many others! – even today. His memory will always have a special place in my heart.
Russell Kulsrud was not only a lifelong mentor to me but also a close friend and constant companion in my research journey. He played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of plasma physics during the early era of nuclear fusion research and later became a leading authority in astrophysical plasma physics, particularly in magnetic dynamo theory and magnetic reconnection.
Russell’s influence extended far beyond his scientific achievements. He inspired generations of colleagues and students with his deep insight, intellectual curiosity, and gentle kindness toward everyone he encountered. His presence was remarkable—calm, wise, and quietly charismatic.
Over the past three decades, Russell and I worked closely together on the study of magnetic reconnection, especially following the construction of the MRX device at Princeton. Our many discussions were filled with discovery, humor, and friendship. I cherish those moments deeply and will always miss him.
— Masaaki Yamada, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Thank you very much Masaaki for the very nice and warm words about Russell!
This is indeed a great loss for all of us.
Russell Kulsrud was one of the greatest scientists of our age, a towering figure in theoretical plasma physics and astrophysics. His many seminal, truly foundational contributions have guided the development of theoretical thought in plasma physics and have influenced — and I am sure will continue to influence for decades to come! — broad swaths of research in thermonuclear fusion, space physics, and plasma astrophysics. Among his most important scientific achievements are his work on the MHD Energy Principle for studying plasma stability, laying down the theoretical foundations for Kinetic Magnetohydrodynamcs framework, developing the theory of Cosmic-Ray propagation and confinement due to wave-particle interactions, elucidating the dynamo mechanisms of magnetogenesis in astrophysics, and his insightful contributions to our understanding of magnetic reconnection. While he was a theoretical physicist of the highest caliber, he also genuinely appreciated and was interested in real laboratory experiments. In particular, his long-term collaboration with Masaaki Yamada and Hantao Ji on the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment at PPPL has been highly influential and inspiring.
In addition to his own scientific breakthroughs, Russell’s immense influence on plasma physics and astrophysics is amplified by his remarkable (and probably unmatched in modern plasma physics) legacy as a mentor and teacher. His academic progeny includes many of today’s scientific leaders in both fusion plasma physics and astrophysics. Through them, Russell continues to shape and guide the development of theoretical plasma physics. Many of them, of course, feel very sad today about Russell’s passing, but also feel extremely fortunate and grateful to having been his PhD students, postdoctoral mentees, or simply colleagues and collaborators.
This includes myself — I was Russell’s PhD student at PPPL in the 1990s, working with him on magnetic reconnection, and then also kept in touch and collaborated with him afterwards. I warmly cherish my memories of the many hours we spent arguing about magnetic reconnection at the blackboard in his office, his patience and human kindness, his jokes, his exceptional scientific honesty, and his sincere and contagious intellectual curiosity that has always been his primary driving force. And his friendship. I am honoured to call him my Teacher, with a capital “T”. I learned so much from him, both about plasma physics itself and about how research is done. He made me into a scientist and he continues to inspire me – and, I am sure, many others! – even today. His memory will always have a special place in my heart.