Remembering PHAS Prof. Brian Turrell
Dear Physics and Astronomy community,
With great sadness, we are writing to inform you that our friend and colleague, Professor Brian Turrell, died on 7 October 2025 aged 87. Brian did both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Oxford, earning his PhD in 1962, and then joined our UBC department in 1964. He served as head from 1987 to 1997 and again in 2003-2004. As Head he welcomed a great many of us to the department.
Brian held the title of Professor Emeritus in the UBC Department of Physics and Astronomy. His research was in Low Temperature and Condensed Matter Physics. He used the techniques of NMR and Nuclear Orientation to study magnetic properties of materials. He also started with colleagues the program of designing and testing cryogenic detectors consisting of superheated, superconducting spheres with a view to considering their possible use in neutron detection and dark matter searches.
He held a number of awards over his physics career, starting with the award of a full scholarship for his undergraduate studies at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he later did his PhD studies under supervisor Nicholas Kurti (well known for his investigations into separating isotopes of uranium for the top-secret Tube Alloys project, Britain’s attempt to build an atomic bomb during World War II). He was further awarded a UBC Killam Fellowship (1978-89), and was appointed Research Fellow and Visiting Professor while on sabbatical leave at the University of Leuven (1997-98).
His graduate student James Pond remembers, "Brian was a wonderful PhD supervisor to work with. He gave me a lot of independence but was also ready with help and advice when I needed it. I especially remember how patient he was when helping me draft my thesis. He also took time to enjoy life outside of work and gave his students the freedom to do the same. His first question when seeing me was often, "have you gone for your run today?" He was a great scientist and a great person."
At UBC, he served as PHAS Department Head, was a member on the TRIUMF Management Board (1999-2004), and participated as an observer on the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (1991-2003).
As PHAS Department Head, he put effort into the hiring of female faculty and to providing a good working environment for them.
He was a very popular lecturer, always scoring almost 100% on the old student evaluations in his first-year classes.
As a colleague, Brian was known for his athletic achievements (and multiple injuries) as a marathon runner (with our colleague Bill McCutcheon). He was a top squash and table tennis player, played as goalkeeper for the UBC Occasionals soccer team (organized by colleague Brian James from Chemistry) and was a member also of the UBC Occasionals cricket team.
In his early days in England he was also known for his chess playing prowess, winning competitions at the county level in England.
Our deepest condolences go out to Brian’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.