Dr. Michael (Misha) Shur

On June 5, 2026, the world lost a renowned scientist—a premier physicist, educator, and innovator in solid-state electronics, who will be remembered for his contributions across both academia and industry. Dr. Michael (Misha) Shur was the beloved husband of nearly six decades to his wife, cherished father to his two daughters, doting grandfather of his four grandchildren, and father-in-law to a man he regarded as a son. He was 83 years old.

Born in the former Soviet Union, Dr. Shur trained as an engineer-electrophysicist at the Leningrad Electrotechnical Institute (now Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University), earning the Master of Engineering equivalent in 1965, and went on to earn his Candidate of Science (Ph.D. equivalent) in 1967 and his Doctor of Sciences—the higher habilitation degree—both in physics and mathematics at the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute. Already a husband and father of two young daughters, he fled Communist repression and immigrated to the U.S. with virtually no assets to his name. He promptly secured a professorship and a home for his family.

Over an academic career spanning multiple leading institutions, he held a series of endowed and other faculty positions, including the John Marshall Money Professorship of Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia (UVA) from 1989 to 1996 and, most recently, the Patricia W. and C. Sheldon Roberts Professorship of Solid State Electronics—with a joint appointment as Professor of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy—at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) from 1996 to 2025. At both universities he also held directorships, leading UVA’s Applied Electrophysics Laboratories and multiple research centers at RPI.

As a prolific author, he wrote more than 1,000 technical publications and numerous books. He also held over 375 patents, including those in plasma wave electronics, terahertz technology, and deep ultraviolet LEDs. His groundbreaking contributions made him one of the most cited authors in his field.

His work drew the highest honors. In 2002, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany awarded him its Senior Research Award for a lifetime of fundamental discoveries in semiconductor physics. His scientific impact also brought election as a Foreign Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, a Jefferson Science Fellowship with the U.S. Department of State, and honorary doctorates from St. Petersburg Technical University and Vilnius University.

Dr. Shur was a Fellow—and in several cases a Life Fellow—of more than a dozen leading professional societies, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Physical Society (APS), the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the Institute of Physics (IOP), Optica (formerly OSA), and the Materials Research Society (MRS). Among his many accolades, he received the Tibbetts Award for Technology Commercialization, the IEEE Leon K. Kirchmayer Graduate Teaching Award, the IEEE Sensors Council Technical Achievement Award, the IET Achievement Medal, and RPI’s William H. Wiley 1866 Distinguished Faculty Award.

Even as he juggled his many research and administrative responsibilities, he never forgot his students, taking extra time to enliven his lectures and help launch many successful careers, generously sharing his wise counsel and deep connections.

Beyond the academy, he founded or co-founded several startups that brought pioneering technologies to market. One was acquired by a publicly traded South Korean corporation, at the time the world’s fourth-largest LED manufacturer.

Throughout his career, Dr. Shur was a sought-after speaker at leading conferences across the U.S. and around the world. His family—his greatest joy and pride—was the lucky beneficiary of his professional success and wanderlust, often joining him on travels across continents to visit Aruba, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and beyond.

He had boundless energy: up early to walk, run, and swim (especially when snorkeling was to be had), quick to gather with friends for philosophical musings or whimsical chats, and always up for a concert or museum exhibit. His competitive streak flared over a chessboard, a ping-pong table, or a Scrabble board—and he nearly always won. Known for his dry wit and good humor, he maintained his spirits and the spirits of those around him to the end.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Paulina; his devoted daughters, Luba and Natasha; his four adoring grandchildren, Thomas, Nadia, Anna, and Leo; and his beloved son-in-law, Jarrett (husband of Luba).