Nuno Loureiro Biography – Nuno Loureiro Wiki

Nuno Loureiro, renowned for his contributions to theoretical physics and fusion science, served as a distinguished professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), specializing in nuclear science and engineering and physics. He also held the leadership role at MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

Loureiro became part of the MIT faculty in 2016 and was later appointed as the deputy director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center in 2022. Before his tenure at MIT, he was engaged in research at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion, affiliated with Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon.

Originally from Portugal, Loureiro pursued his undergraduate studies in physics at IST. He later achieved a PhD in physics from Imperial College London in 2005. Post-PhD, he conducted research at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for two years, subsequently joining the UKAEA Culham Center for Fusion Energy in 2007. Returning to IST in 2009, he continued his research at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion until his move to MIT in 2016.

At MIT, Loureiro advanced from an assistant professor to a full professor, imparting knowledge through courses such as 22.612 (Introduction to Plasma Physics) and 22.615 (MHD Theory of Fusion Systems). His excellence in teaching was recognized with the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering’s PAI Outstanding Professor Award on two occasions.

Throughout his illustrious career, Loureiro received numerous accolades, including the National Science Foundation Career Award and the American Physical Society (APS) Thomas H. Stix Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Plasma Physics Research. Additionally, he was honored as an APS fellow. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Nuno Loureiro Age

Born in 1977 in Viseu, Portugal, Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro passed away on December 16, 2025, in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the age of 47.

Death

Nuno Loureiro, 47, was shot on December 15, 2025 at his home on Gibbs Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. He died at a Boston hospital on December 16, 2025, according to Brookline police and MIT officials. No one is in custody and police are treating the incident as “an active and ongoing homicide investigation”, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

“Our deepest sympathies are with his family, students, colleagues, and all those who are grieving,” an MIT spokesperson said in a statement. “Focused outreach and conversations are taking place within our community to offer care and support for those who knew Prof. Loureiro, and a message will be shared with our wider community.”

“Nuno was not only a brilliant scientist, he was a brilliant person,” said Dennis Whyte, the Hitachi America Professor of Engineering, who previously served as the head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. “He shone a bright light as a mentor, friend, teacher, colleague and leader, and was universally admired for his articulate, compassionate manner. His loss is immeasurable to our community at the PSFC, NSE and MIT, and around the entire fusion and plasma research world.”

Nuno Loureiro Family

MIT professor Nuno Loureiro was married and had a young family.

Nuno Loureiro Jewish

Theoretical physicist Nuno Loureiro is reportedly a Jew.

Nuno Loureiro Israel

Nuno Loureiro was reportedly pro-Israel.