Serbian Science in Shock: Academician Antun Balaž, the Physics Genius Who Carried Serbian Science on His Shoulders, Has Passed Away!
The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts announced on July 4th the passing of one of Serbia’s most prominent physicists, Academician Antun Balaž, at the age of 53. This brilliant mind, who graduated with an average grade of 9.93 from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Belgrade, was a pillar in the fields of condensed matter physics, nonlinear dynamics, and computational physics.
A Breathtaking Scientific Journey
Balaž earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at the same faculty, with a thesis on accelerating the convergence of functional integrals. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the annual award of the Institute of Physics in Belgrade for the best master’s thesis. His career was marked by international training at prestigious institutions in Germany and Austria, as well as teaching courses on quantum field theory and numerical methods at universities in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
Leader and Mentor of a New Generation of Scientists
As a senior research associate and scientific advisor, Balaž served as deputy director of the Institute of Physics in Belgrade, led numerous EU projects, and was a key founder of the laboratory for the application of computers in science. His contributions extended beyond scientific papers – he published over 60 papers in international journals, delivered over 60 presentations at conferences, and his works have been cited over 700 times, with a Hirsch index of 22.
A Great Hero Lost to Serbian Science
Besides his scientific achievements, he authored textbooks for elementary schools and contributed to the international recognition of Serbian science. His premature departure is a huge loss for the scientific community and society as a whole. Those who knew him emphasize his dedication, expertise, and tireless energy in advancing science in Serbia.
What Now?
As Serbia bids farewell to one of its greatest minds, the question arises – who will now bear the burden of advancing science? Will institutions and the state manage to fill this void and continue the path Balaž charted? Or will Serbian science be left leaderless at a critical moment?
If you have thoughts on this great loss or want to share memories of Academician Balaž, feel free to drop a comment. Let the voices not be silenced as one of the greatest minds of our country has been extinguished.
