In Memory of Professor Rudolph A. “Rudy” Marcus (1923–2026)
Photo from NTU.
The Division of Physics and Applied Physics mourns the passing of Professor Rudolph A. “Rudy” Marcus, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and one of the most influential physical chemists of the past century.
Professor Marcus passed away on 16 July 2026 at the age of 102. He was awarded the 1992 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his theory of electron-transfer reactions, work that transformed our understanding of processes ranging from photosynthesis and biological energy conversion to electrochemistry and materials science.
Professor Marcus had a particularly close and long-standing relationship with Nanyang Technological University and our Division. After earlier visits to NTU, he was appointed Nanyang Visiting Professor, joining the group of Professor Maria-Elisabeth Michel-Beyerle, with whom his scientific collaboration on electron-transfer processes stretched back several decades. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and his association with the University, NTU conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Science in 2010.
90-year birthday celebration event at the NEC (2013)
Professor Marcus maintained an active research affiliation with the Division of Physics and Applied Physics, building in particular on his decades-long collaboration with Professor Maria-Elisabeth Michel-Beyerle on electron-transfer processes. At NTU this collaboration broadened to include Professors Elbert Chia, Gagik Gurzadyan, Haibin Su, Yeng Ming Lam and other colleagues and younger researchers across SPMS and MSE, leading to work in areas ranging from photobiology and electron-transfer theory to ultrafast spectroscopy and the photophysics of lead-halide perovskites.
Professor Marcus was also a familiar presence in the wider NTU scientific community. He served on several occasions as a Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professor through the Institute of Advanced Studies, delivered lectures and participated in scientific workshops, and engaged with younger generations of scientists through initiatives including the International Science Youth Forum.
Those of us who had the privilege of meeting him at NTU will remember not only a scientist whose ideas fundamentally changed modern chemistry, but also his extraordinary intellectual curiosity, generosity and enthusiasm for discussing science across disciplines and generations. Remarkably, that curiosity remained undiminished throughout a scientific career extending beyond his 100th birthday.
With Gagik Gurzadyan in the "BioFemtoLab" (2009)
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the many scientists around the world whom he inspired. We are honoured that NTU and the Division of Physics and Applied Physics were part of Rudy Marcus's extraordinary scientific journey.
Rudy Marcus and NTU
- 2008 – Early engagement with NTU: Rudolph A. Marcus was already an active visitor to NTU, delivering a Physics seminar at the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) on 17 November 2008 entitled “Theoretical Studies Ranging from Quantum Dots to On-Water Catalysis.” (NTU Annual Report 2008)
- 2009 – Appointment at NTU: NTU's Annual Report records Marcus among the professors joining the University, alongside Professor Maria-Elisabeth Michel-Beyerle. Marcus was appointed Visiting Nanyang Professor and became closely associated with Michel-Beyerle's group, building on their long-standing collaboration in electron-transfer processes. (NTU Annual Report 2009) Marcus later recalled that his NTU appointment, made by then NTU President Bertil Andersson, initiated research that eventually contributed to a 2021 ChemPhysChem publication. (ChemPhysChem / ResearchGate)
- 2010 – Honorary Doctorate: NTU conferred on Marcus the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, recognising his exceptional contributions to science and his association with the University. (NTU Honorary Degree Recipients)
- 2011 and beyond – Continuing presence at NTU: Marcus continued to be a regular and distinguished visitor. NTU records him among its eminent scientific visitors, while an NTU publication described him as a Nanyang Visiting Professor at SPMS and highlighted his interactions with undergraduate students. (NTU Annual Report 2011) (NTU HEY! Magazine)
- 2013 – Rudolph A. Marcus Conference and Festival: Singapore hosted the “Rudolph A. Marcus Conference and Festival” in celebration of his 90th birthday, reflecting the strength of his scientific connections with Singapore and NTU. The event is recorded in Marcus's official Caltech curriculum vitae. (Rudolph A. Marcus – Caltech CV)
- August 2013 – Straits Times interview – follow the QR code to hear it from him! He wishes there was less focus on getting immediate results and applications, more room for intellectual curiosity. Also that society did not have to resort to war and that people were not so greedy to always want more, less focus on money for money’s sake.
- 2014–2019 and beyond – Active research collaboration: Marcus's NTU affiliation was substantive rather than ceremonial. Peer-reviewed publications list him with the Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, NTU. His research at NTU centred particularly on his long-standing collaboration with Maria-Elisabeth Michel-Beyerle, while also involving colleagues including Elbert Chia, Gagik Gurzadyan, Haibin Su and Yeng Ming Lam, as well as younger NTU researchers. The work spanned electron-transfer processes, photobiology, ultrafast spectroscopy and the photophysics of lead-halide perovskites. One example is the 2014 work on photoinduced dimer dissociation in the UVR8 photoreceptor. (PNAS / PubMed Central)
- 2015 – Perovskite research: A notable Nature Communications paper brought together Marcus, Maria-Elisabeth Michel-Beyerle, Gagik Gurzadyan, Elbert Chia and other NTU researchers to investigate disorder and free-carrier recombination dynamics in methylammonium lead iodide perovskites. (Nature Communications / PubMed)
- 2017–2018 – Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professor: Through NTU's Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), Marcus served as a Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professor. In 2017, he participated in activities associated with the conference celebrating 90 Years of Quantum Mechanics. (NTU IAS – 2017 Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professors) In 2018, his IAS activities included workshops related to molecular mechanisms underlying biological energy conversion and polyelectrolyte systems, topics closely connected with his broader interests in electron-transfer theory and chemical dynamics. (NTU IAS – 2018 Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professors)
- Engagement with young scientists: Marcus also contributed to NTU's wider educational and outreach activities. He was among the Nobel Laureates participating in the International Science Youth Forum (ISYF), engaging directly with students and young scientists and sharing insights from his scientific career. (NTU – The Physics Educator / ISYF)
