Brazilian physicist João Alziro Herz da Jornada, elected to TWAS in 2008 and a former president of the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology (Inmetro) in Rio de Janeiro, passed away on 2 August 2026. Jornada, a professor emeritus at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), earned a master's degree in physics and a PhD in science from the same institution.

As a researcher at UFRGS, he worked in various areas of experimental physics, including condensed matter physics, with a focus on high-pressure physics and techniques, superhard materials, ceramic materials, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. His research led to the discovery of novel materials and transformation mechanisms, including the hardest known oxide phase of silicon dioxide. In addition, it provided key insights into the connection between pressure-induced amorphization and negative thermal expansion.

Jornada’s work was oriented to innovation and to foster collaboration between research centres and industry. In addition, he contributed to the development of new strategic and operational management processes for knowledge-based institutions.

A full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, he was named professor emeritus of UFRGS in 2020, and served as the president of Inmetro from December 2004 to December 2015.

Cristina Serra