In memory of Alexander Vasiliev (1962-2016)

It was with shock we received the news that our colleague Alexander (Sasha) Vasiliev passed away on October 19th while on a trip to his native Russia.

Alexander was born in Saratov, in the former Soviet Union, in 1962. He studied mathematics and physics at Saratov State University, graduating with a PhD in 1987. He got his habilitation at Novosibirsk State University in 1997.

Alexander came to Bergen in 2005 when he got a position as professor of mathematical analysis at the Department of Mathematics. When he arrived in Bergen, he could already look back on a distinguished career internationally, having held professorships in Saratov, Bogotá and Valparaíso. Alexander gained immediate respect among his colleagues at the department for his deep mathematical work. He also became popular among students for his clear and inspiring lectures.

Alexander’s wife Irina Markina came to Bergen in 2006 as associate professor at the department. Together they built a strong and visible research group with many students. They had success in obtaining external funding nationally and internationally. Many students and colleagues would benefit from the international network that followed with Alexander.

Alexander’s research interests were broad, spanning complex analysis, mathematical physics, differential geometry, free boundary problems and optimal control. He published 5 monographs and more than 70 journal papers in these areas. During his all-too-brief time in Bergen, Alexander won two consecutive FRINATEK four-year projects (for most researchers, getting one of these grants in the course of their career is a measure of success). Alexander founded and served as editor-in-chief of the journal Analysis and Mathematical Physics.

Sasha was a highly respected colleague at the Department of Mathematics. Many of us cherished his charm, gentle personality and humor. Sasha loved to share good food and drink with friends and colleagues. He and Irina made their home at Askøy. Many of us have enjoyed their hospitality and will miss the late evenings with Russian music and song.

In this difficult time our thoughts go to Irina and Alexander’s children and family.

Head of Department Sigmund Selberg         Dean Helge K. Dahle

Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences