Nazarbayev University expresses profound sorrow at the passing of Professor George F. Smoot III, Nobel Laureate in Physics and founding scientific leader of the NU’s Energy Cosmos Laboratory (ECL).
Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Smoot was an internationally distinguished astrophysicist whose achievements helped shape modern cosmology. He received the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for research that provided critical evidence, supporting the Big Bang theory.
Professor Smoot played a central role in the establishment and development of the Energy Cosmos Laboratory at NU, guiding its research priorities from the moment of its inception in 2017. Under his leadership, ECL grew into one of Central Asia’s leading centers for astrophysics, developing advanced capabilities in theoretical and observational astronomy, data science, and cryogenic detector technologies. His appointment in 2023 to the National Council for Science and Technology under the President of Kazakhstan reflected the nation’s recognition of his scientific leadership and his contributions to advancing research in Kazakhstan.
“Under Professor Smoot’s leadership, ECL rapidly grew into one of Central Asia’s leading research hubs in astrophysics. The laboratory’s development, particularly the creation of our state-of-the-art cryogenic facility and acquisition of instruments capable of cooling detectors to –273°C, was possible because of his scientific guidance,” said Dr. Kanat Baigarin, Chief Officer for Sustainable Development, who previously oversaw the laboratory’s growth as cofounder.
These technological advances enabled ECL researchers to make significant contributions to high-precision astronomy. Among the laboratory’s achievements are the construction of a robotic optical telescope at the Assy-Turgen Observatory and the development of instrumentation that allowed the earliest-ever recorded three-band optical observations of gamma-ray bursts. This capability helped capture the first moments of gamma-ray burst afterglows, contributing to global astrophysical research and improving scientific understanding of the most energetic phenomena in the universe.
Over the past seven years, ECL has hosted major international conferences featuring leading institutions such as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), and the European Space Agency (ESA). These collaborations enhanced the University’s international visibility and established NU as an emerging center for high-level research.
Beyond scientific leadership, Professor Smoot was deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists. He actively encouraged student participation in research, helping build an environment where young scholars in Kazakhstan could engage in frontier science.
Nazarbayev University extends its deepest condolences to Professor Smoot’s partner, Nora Csiszar, family, colleagues, and the global scientific community. His contributions will continue to shape astrophysics research in Kazakhstan for years to come.
Professor Smoot passed away in Paris on September 18, 2025, at the age of 80.
