NUNO LOUREIRO, professor and director of MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 -Tragedy struck the scientific community this week as Nuno F.G. Loureiro, the 47-year-old professor and director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was fatally shot at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, and later died at a local hospital. 

Authorities say the incident occurred Monday night and that no suspect is currently in custody, with police describing the case as an ongoing homicide investigation. His death has sent shockwaves through MIT and beyond, prompting deep sorrow among colleagues, students, and researchers who saw Loureiro as a guiding light in plasma physics and fusion research.

Loureiro was widely respected for his contributions to fusion science — work aimed at unlocking clean, virtually limitless energy by understanding plasma behavior in fusion reactors. 

He held professorships in both the Nuclear Science and Engineering and Physics departments at MIT and became director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center in 2024, leading one of the university’s most prominent research hubs. Colleagues and MIT leadership described him as a brilliant scientist and a dedicated mentor whose impact extended far beyond the laboratory.

The loss has reverberated internationally, drawing expressions of grief from researchers and institutions around the world, including in Loureiro’s native Portugal. 

As law enforcement continues its investigation, the scientific community is left grappling with the sudden death of a major figure in clean energy research, while reflecting on the lasting influence of his work and leadership on the future of fusion science.