Zhou Guangzhao (May 15, 1929 – August 17, 2024) was a Chinese theoretical physicist who served as President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1987 to 1997.

Early life and education

Zhou Guangzhao was born on May 15, 1929, in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. He was the 5th child of the civil engineer Zhou Fengjiu, and the younger brother of biochemist/geneticist Zhou Guangyu. He graduated from Tsinghua University in 1951, and then did graduate work in theoretical physics for three years at Beijing University. He stayed at Beijing Univ. on the faculty after completing his PhD. In 1957 he was sent to the USSR by the Chinese Atomic Energy Research Institute to work at the Dubna Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

Professional career

Zhou returned to China in 1960, where he worked on the Chinese nuclear weapons program, ultimately becoming director of the Chinese Nuclear Weapons Research Institute, now the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP). He was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and later became the Vice President (1984–1987) and President (1987–1997) of the CAS. Zhou's theoretical work focuses on particle physics. He first visited the US in 1979. In the 1980s he spent time as a visiting researcher at the University of California and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.

Death

Zhou died on August 17, 2024, at the age of 95.

Honors

The asteroid 3462 Zhouguangzhao is named after him. Zhou was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 1987.