Gallieno Denardo, 1935-2007

Gallieno Denardo, coordinator of the optics and laser programs at the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and professor of theoretical physics at the University of Trieste, Italy, died suddenly on July 23. He had been with the ICTP since its start, serving as the long-time head of the Office of External Activities and consultant of the office. He was instrumental in establishing and running all ICTP activities on optics, including the laboratory, the schools and workshops, and the ICO/ICTP Award.

I met Gallieno for the first time in 1988, when Prof. Abdus Salam, the late Nobel laureate and founding director of ICTP, created the Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI). EBASI was named in honor of Edward A. Bouchet, who became the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in physics when he graduated from Yale University in 1876. Gallieno was the primary facilitator for Prof. Salam, and he worked tirelessly to promote the objectives of EBASI, which were to provide a mechanism for synergistic scientific and technical collaborations between African and African-American scientists; to increase the technical manpower pool working in Africa today; and to facilitate the training of Ph.D. students from African universities.

As one of the founding members of the American Council of EBASI, I started working with Gallieno at ICTP. He was one of the most gifted, visionary and compassionate individuals I have ever met. He was completely dedicated to disseminating excellent science to developing countries not only in Africa, but also in Asia and Latin America. What seemed to many like insurmountable tasks were made agreeable and enjoyable, due mostly to Gallieno’s affable nature. His remarkable energy galvanized me and countless others.

Although ITCP was already an internationally recognized center for theoretical physics, under Gallieno’s leadership it became a mecca for scientists from developing countries to learn the latest advances in theoretical physics from the top scientists in the world. Gallieno, with his background in elementary particle physics, recognized early on that optics and photonics was an exceptional vehicle to expand the scientific breadth of ICTP to a wider audience. Beginning in 1985, he was the organizer of ICTP activities in lasers and optics. From 1989 through 1997, he simultaneously served as head of the ICTP Office of External Activities.

With the passing of Salam in 1996, Gallieno spearheaded efforts to meet the late professor’s mandate that ICTP “foster advanced studies and research, especially in developing countries.” Even retirement did not sway his enthusiasm and commitment. Gallieno’s activities continued as a consultant to the ICTP Office of External Activities since 1998.

During his tenure with ICTP, Gallieno organized more than 50 scientific meetings and training courses in lasers, atomic and molecular physics. I remember when Gallieno organized his first conference on optics, which was called the “Winter College on Lasers, Atomic and Molecular Physics;” the directors of this college were G. Amat, T. Arecchi, R. Bonifacio, A. Dymanus, F.P. Schäfer and O. Svelto, all of whom were internationally recognized members of the optics community.

These were extremely well organized workshops with 60 to 80 students who had earned or were about to earn a Ph.D. from universities in developing countries. The lectures were quite comprehensive, covering the basics to the latest advances in optics and photonics. Gallieno had “rock star” status among the students, who revered him for his scientific prowess as well as his charismatic personality. His attention to detail and concern for scientific excellence were extraordinary.

For nearly two decades now, I’ve admired Gallieno because I have seen how positively he affected promising students and practicing scientists all over the world. It was a pleasure to lecture in two of his early workshops, and subsequently to discuss strategies for the center’s future.

I was OSA President when OSA signed a memorandum of understanding with ICTP to support the Annual Winter Colleges on Optics and Photonics at a level of $5,000. Authorizing this agreement was one of the most satisfying tasks of my term. Given the size of the budget required to run the colleges, this $5,000 contribution is indeed quite small. However, to Gallieno, it was priceless simply because it had the imprimatur of OSA!

Many times, Gallieno and I discussed how to enlist the support and advice of the international optics community. In 2003, he formed the Trieste System Optical Sciences and Applications (TSOSA) Advisory Group to promote optical sciences in the developing world. TSOSA includes representatives from SPIE, ICO, OSA, UNESCO, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), OWLS, EOS and science programs across Europe.

In addition to advising the center’s leaders about programs for the annual winter college in optics, TSOSA offers a vehicle for sharing center news with the global optics community. It gave Gallieno a professional and international framework to continue his mission of offering assistance and training to young researchers from the developing world. For his efforts, Gallieno received the 2005 SPIE Educator Award, which recognized his work in organizing optics and photonics schools, colleges, conferences and workshops for the past 20 years.

When he retired several years ago, Gallieno and I still managed to keep in touch. He continued to give his time and attention to making science and engineering education accessible to students in developing countries around the world. I have found him to be one of the warmest and most caring individuals I have ever met, and I will never forget our friendship. The ICTP outreach programs have lost a tireless advocate, an esteemed mentor and a benevolent leader in Gallieno Denardo.

— Anthony M. Johnson,
Director, Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research
and the University of Maryland Baltimore County