On 26 June, at the age of 81, Kairat Kamalovich Kadyrzhanov, an outstanding scientist in the field of solid-state physics and radiation materials science, a talented organizer of science, a teacher and statesman that made an invaluable contribution to the development of cooperation between scientific centres of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research passed away.

Kairat Kamalovich was born on 5 December, 1945, in the city of TaldyKurgan of the Kazakh SSR. In 1970, he graduated from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute with a degree in Solid State Physics. After having completed his internship and postgraduate studies at the I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy under the supervision of Academician Isaac Kikoin, all his further professional activities were dedicated to the development of nuclear science and the training of scientific personnel.

For many decades, Kairat Kadyrzhanov has held senior positions at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the National Nuclear Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The activities as the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research played a special role in his biography. In the period from 2000 to 2017, Kairat Kamalovich consistently and purposefully contributed to strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and JINR, expanding the participation of Kazakhstani scientific organizations in the research of the Institute, developing joint scientific projects and training highly qualified personnel.

With the direct participation of Academician Kadyrzhanov, the foundations of long-term cooperation in the field of nuclear physics, radiation materials science, acceleration technologies and the training of young scientists were laid. Many initiatives implemented today by Kazakhstan and JINR have become possible due to its foresight, adherence to principles and a deep understanding of the importance of international scientific cooperation.

At the initiative of Kairat Kamalovich, an interdisciplinary research complex DС60 was established based on a heavy ion accelerator and a project was implemented to establish a Centre for Nuclear Medicine in Kazakhstan that became an important stage in the development of high-tech medicine in the country.

Kairat Kamalovich was an outstanding world-class scientist. Under him, a new research area was established at the Institute of Nuclear Physics - the thermodynamics of alloys with an inhomogeneous phase-structural state. He developed the fundamental foundations of the production of multilayer metal materials, studied the processes of production of implantation alloys, developed new technologies for applying functional coatings and implemented a number of large scientific and technological projects. Under his scientific supervision, dozens of candidate and PhD theses were defended.

The high merits of Kairat Kadyrzhanov have obtained wide international recognition. He was awarded the Order of Құ Rmet, the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of science and technology, the honorary title "Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Kazakhstan", was an Academician of several national and international academies of sciences, made a significant contribution to the development of international scientific cooperation.

The bright memory of Kairat Kamalovich Kadyrzhanov as an outstanding scientist, a wise mentor, a true patriot of his country and a great friend of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research will forever live in the hearts of JINR employees, his colleagues, students and everyone who was lucky enough to work and communicate with him.

Directorate and staff of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kairat Kamalovich, his colleagues and students.