Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Engineering, 2024
Regents Professor Mikhail Shifman is a distinguished theoretical physicist whose pioneering research has significantly advanced our understanding of elementary particles, quark interactions, supersymmetry, and cosmology. Currently the Ida Cohen Fine Professor of Theoretical Physics at the William I. Fine Theoretical Physics Institute in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering, Shifman has been a faculty member since 1990. He previously worked at the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics in Moscow, Russia, where he began his transformative work in quantum chromodynamics and the theory of strong interactions.
Born in 1949 in Riga, Latvia, Shifman grew up in a family of a civil engineer and a medical doctor. He pursued his education at the Moscow Institute for Physics and Technology, earning his Diploma with Honors, and later obtained his PhD in theoretical and mathematical physics from the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics in Moscow. His early career coincided with the first realization of the true nature of strong interaction, leading to a series of groundbreaking discoveries that have become fundamental to high-energy physics.
Shifman's pioneering work from 1974 to 1978 provided profound insights into the quantum nature of strong interactions, solving long-standing puzzles in the decays of elementary particles. One of his most notable contributions is the discovery of the "penguin mechanism," a critical tool in theoretical and experimental studies of quark transformations. This mechanism remains integral to our understanding of particle physics and has been confirmed by numerous experiments.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Shifman, along with collaborators Arkady Vainshtein and V. Zakharov (collectively known as SVZ), developed a method to connect the properties of subatomic particles to the properties of vacuum. Their work, particularly the SVZ sum rules, revolutionized the field by providing a framework to solve previously intractable problems of strong interactions. The trio's papers, especially those published in Nuclear Physics B, are among the most cited in high-energy physics and have achieved a collectible status. A prolific author, Shifman has published more than 300 research papers and over eight influential books. His book "Advanced Topics in Quantum Field Theory," published by Cambridge University Press, is celebrated for its clear and intuitive exposition of complex concepts.
At the University of Minnesota, Shifman has significantly broadened his research scope, becoming a leading figure in the study of supersymmetry. This theoretical framework, which posits that every elementary particle has a superpartner with opposite quantum statistics, is central to the ongoing research at the Large Hadron Collider. Shifman's insights and theoretical predictions have been pivotal in guiding experiments at this massive scientific facility, influencing our understanding of the universe on both micro and macro scales. His contributions to physics have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Award (1993), the Sakurai Prize (1999), the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize (2006), the Blaise Pascal Chair (2007), the Pomeranchuk Prize (2013), and the Dirac Medal (2016). In 2018, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for a scientist or engineer in the United States.
Beyond his research, Shifman is a dedicated educator who has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have become prominent figures in academia and industry. His pedagogical contributions, particularly in quantum field theory and elementary particles, have shaped the careers of many physicists. His lectures are renowned for their meticulous and insightful delivery, inspiring generations of students at the University of Minnesota and beyond.
Shifman's impact extends to his work as a historian of science, where he explores the intersection of science and society in dictatorial regimes. His books, such as "Physics in a Mad World" and "Love and Physics," combine rigorous scholarship with engaging storytelling, shedding light on the lives and contributions of scientists under oppressive governments. His work in this area underscores his commitment to human rights and his efforts to document and share the experiences of scientists who faced significant challenges.
Shifman is a towering figure in theoretical physics, whose contributions have fundamentally shaped modern understanding of quantum chromodynamics, supersymmetry, and particle physics. His election to the National Academy of Sciences, numerous awards, and prolific output of research and educational materials reflect his profound influence on the field. His dedication to groundbreaking scholarship and encouraging innumerable students through his teaching and mentorship further solidifies his legacy as a transformative figure in both science and society. The University is honored to have Shifman among its most distinguished faculty.
Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.