MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Tragically Shot: A Community in Mourning

Thu Dec 18 2025 20:51:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The MIT community is reeling after the tragic death of professor Nuno Loureiro, a leading figure in clean energy research, who was killed at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. This incident has prompted an ongoing homicide investigation.

Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a prominent fusion scientist and director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was shot at his home, marking a devastating loss for his family, students, and colleagues. Investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances and find the responsible party amidst a broader context of recent violence in nearby Providence, Rhode Island.

BROOKLINE, Mass. — The MIT community is in mourning following the tragic death of professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a well-respected physicist and leader in the field of fusion energy, who was shot at his home in Brookline on Monday night. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital on Tuesday, prompting an active homicide investigation by authorities.

Authorities have not yet taken anyone into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing. Loureiro, 47, had joined MIT in 2016 and was appointed to lead the university's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a research facility pivotal to advancing clean energy technologies. He was known for his passion for research and his commitment to educating the next generation of scientists.

Originating from Viseu, Portugal, Loureiro earned his degree in Lisbon before obtaining a doctorate in London. His career included significant research at a nuclear fusion institute in Lisbon before making his mark at MIT. He leaves behind a legacy as an articulate and compassionate mentor, deeply admired by colleagues and students alike.

The president of MIT, Sally Kornbluth, expressed her condolences, calling Loureiro's death a shocking loss. Many of his students paid homage to him at his home, gathering to share their grief and memories. Loureiro’s passing coincides with heightened concerns over campus safety, particularly after a recent shooting incident at Brown University, leading to broader fears about gun violence.

U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, John J. Arrigo, also expressed his sorrow, highlighting Loureiro’s leadership and scientific contributions. Loureiro once stated, It’s not hyperbole to say MIT is where you go to find solutions to humanity’s biggest problems. As the investigation unfolds, the MIT community remembers Loureiro not just for his academic brilliance but for the lives he touched through his work and mentorship.