{{Short description|American theoretical physicist (1938–2024)}} {{infobox scientist | name = Boris Kayser | image = Boris, FNAL,120523-03.jpg | caption = Boris Kayser at his desk at Fermilab. (Photo: Reidar Hahn) | birth_date = {{birth date|1938|6|2}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|4|14|1938|6|2}} | citizenship = United States | education = {{hlist|Princeton University|California Institute of Technology}} | thesis_title = Dynamical Model of the Σ | thesis_url = https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/3704/1/Kayser_b_1964.pdf | thesis_year = 1964 | doctoral_advisor = Fredrik Zachariasen | workplaces = {{hlist|National Science Foundation|Fermilab}} | partner = Susan Kayser }}
'''Boris Jules Kayser''' (June 2, 1938 – April 14, 2024) was an American theoretical physicist. He specialized in the study of neutrinos. He worked at the National Science Foundation for nearly thirty years before joining the US government research facility Fermilab. He retired from Fermilab in 2012. For five years, he was the editor of the peer-reviewed journal the ''Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science''.
==Early life and education== Kayser was born in 1938 to Saul and Dora Kayser and grew up on a chicken farm<ref name="Jennings">{{cite web|url=https://www.societyforscience.org/blog/a-meeting-of-hearts-and-minds-at-the-sts/| title=A Meeting of Hearts and Minds at the STS| last=Jennings| first=Caitlin| date=26 July 2010| access-date=7 October 2020| website=Society for Science & The Public}}</ref> in New Jersey. He had two younger sisters, twins Leah and Marsha.<ref name="foster">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60682135/parents-of-princetons-top-graduate/| title=Parents of Princeton's Top Graduate Fostered Interests| work=Asbury Park Press| date=26 June 1960| access-date=7 October 2020| location=Asbury Park, New Jersey}}</ref> While in high school, he was a finalist for the Westinghouse Science Talent Search in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/science-talent-search-1956/| title=Westinghouse Science Talent Search 1956| website=Society for Science & The Public| access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> He graduated from Lakewood High School in 1956 as valedictorian.<ref name="foster"/> He attended Princeton University on full scholarship<ref name="foster"/> for his undergraduate degree, graduating as valedictorian<ref name="foster"/> with a degree in physics in 1960. He attended California Institute of Technology for his PhD in particle physics.<ref name="DOE">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurekalert.org/features/doe/2002-05/dnal-cu-060302.php| title=Charged Up - There's nothing neutral about Boris Kayser| author=DOE/FERMI NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LABORATORY| website=U.S. Department of Energy Science News| date=10 May 2002| access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> His PhD advisor was Fredrik Zachariasen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inspirehep.net/authors/1003356| title=Boris Jules Kayser| website=Inspire HEP| access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref>
==Career== After a post-doctoral position at UC Berkeley, Kayser was an assistant professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook from 1966 to 1969, when he joined the physics department at Northwestern University as associate professor. In 1972, Kayser joined the National Science Foundation, where he was the program director for theoretical physics.<ref name="Fermilab">{{cite web|url=https://news.fnal.gov/2013/11/boris-kayser-celebrates-retirement/| title=Boris Kayser celebrates retirement| website=Fermilab| date=19 November 2013| access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> While there, he helped establish the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at University of California, Santa Barbara.<ref name="DOE"/> He became the editor of the ''Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science'' in 2004, taking over the role from Chris Quigg.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1146/annurev.ns.54.101404.100001|title=Preface by Boris Kayser|journal=Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science|year=2004|volume=54|issue=1|pages=annurev.ns|bibcode=2004ARNPS..54...54.}}</ref> He left the editor position in 2009.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1146/annurev.ns.59.102109.100001|title=Preface by Barry R. Holstein|journal=Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science|year=2009|volume=59|issue=1|pages=annurev.ns|bibcode=2009ARNPS..59...59.}}</ref> While working at NSF, he became interested in researching neutrinos and was principal author of a book, "The Physics of Massive Neutrinos".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/0655#t=aboutBook| title=The Physics of Massive Neutrinos| date=1989| website=World Scientific}}</ref> He retired from the NSF in 2001, after which he joined Fermilab as a distinguished guest scientist.<ref name="Fermilab"/> His work on neutrinos at Fermilab was featured on the PBS science television series ''Nova'', episode "The Ghost Particle".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/3306_neutrino.html| title=The Ghost Particle| date=21 February 2006| website=NOVA}}</ref> While at Fermilab, he served on a variety of committees, including the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (2002–2007) and the Fermilab Physics Advisory Committee (2004–2008). In 2009, he was elected the chair of the American Physical Society's Division of Particles and Fields. He officially retired from Fermilab at the end of 2012.<ref name="Fermilab"/>
==Personal life== Boris met Susan Kayser {{nee|Zimet}} in 1956 when they were both finalists for the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. They were at a house party for finalists hosted by former WSTS winner, Nobel laureate Roald Hoffman.<ref name="Jennings"/> He and Susan married in 1960 at Congregation Ahavat Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21306569/asbury-park-press/| title=Kayser-Zimet nuptials held| work=Asbury Park Press| location=Asbury Park, New Jersey| date=25 June 1960| access-date=7 October 2020|page=4}}</ref>
Boris Kayser died on April 14, 2024, at the age of 85.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/toms-river-nj/boris-kayser-11770406|title=Boris Kayser Obituary - Toms River, NJ|website=Dignity Memorial}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{INSPIRE-HEP author}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kayser, Boris}} Category:1938 births Category:2024 deaths Category:People associated with Fermilab Category:Princeton University alumni Category:Lakewood High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:California Institute of Technology alumni Category:Annual Reviews (publisher) editors