BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) — Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a respected professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was fatally shot in his home near Boston on Monday night. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital on Tuesday, prompting authorities to initiate a homicide investigation.
The 47-year-old physicist had dedicated his career to advancing clean energy technology, joining MIT in 2016 and later leading one of its largest laboratories, which employs over 250 people.
As the investigation unfolds, no suspects have been apprehended. It's a shocking loss for us all, said MIT President Sally Kornbluth, reflecting the impact Loureiro had on the academic community.
Born in Viseu, Portugal, Loureiro's academic journey took him from Lisbon to London, where he earned his doctorate before engaging in nuclear fusion research back in Lisbon. Colleagues remembered him fondly as a beacon of mentorship and support.
This tragic event comes amid a wave of recent violence, including a separate shooting at Brown University, raising concerns about safety in educational environments. Loureiro's untimely death has led to an outpouring of tributes from students and academic leaders, with many citing his contributions to science as transformative.
