In Memory Sami Viollet
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sami Viollet, a promising young member of our community, in a mountain accident.
by R. Cerda
Sami completed his PhD under the guidance of one of us (A.P.) (and close interaction with the other (S.S.)) in December 2024. His work covered polymer black holes and the matching to effective field theories, singularity avoidance and the resolution of the Hawking information puzzle. His original results are published in three papers and in his thesis and unpublished work that will hopefully appear soon. He was an active contributor to both Loops' 22 and Loops 24 conferences. He was highly involved in the life of our group, most notably in the organization of the Loops' 22 summer school in Marseille. He had recently secured a teaching position in the Physics Department of Aix-Marseille University and was shortlisted for several prestigious postdoctoral positions, marking him as a talented and dedicated scholar in the field.
Sami had a great love for nature and the mountains near where he grew up. Climbing the summits of the Alps, through frozen icefalls and glaciers, was inseparable from his passion for physics-perhaps his way of reflecting on the tough problems that lie at the boundaries we strive to push. His dedication, passion, and intellect left a lasting impact on all of us who were close to him. His loss is deeply felt. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire.
Alejandro Perez and Simone Speziale