Massachusetts – Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old renowned theoretical physicist and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was shot multiple times at his home on Gibbs Street Monday night and died early Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed.Police responded to reports of gunfire around 8-9 p.m. on December 15, 2025. Loureiro was rushed to a Boston hospital with gunshot wounds but succumbed to his injuries.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office is treating the incident as a homicide, with no suspects in custody and the investigation ongoing.Loureiro, originally from Portugal, joined MIT in 2016 as a faculty member in the departments of Nuclear Science and Engineering and Physics. He became director of the prestigious Plasma Science and Fusion Center in 2024.
His research focused on plasma dynamics, magnetic reconnection, and fusion energy – fields with potential civilian applications in clean energy production and dual-use implications in advanced simulations relevant to national security.
In 2023, Loureiro was named a Stanisław Ulam Distinguished Scholar at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Center for Nonlinear Studies, allowing him to spend time advancing research in nuclear fusion and high-performance simulations. Los Alamos, a key U.S. facility historically tied to nuclear weapons development, supports work contributing to both energy innovation and thermonuclear understanding.Colleagues described Loureiro as a brilliant mentor and leader. “Nuno was not only an extraordinary scientist and educator, but also a tremendous colleague, mentor, and friend,” said Dennis Whyte, a former center director. MIT President Sally Kornbluth called his death a “shocking loss.”While authorities have not disclosed a motive, the killing of a high-profile scientist in sensitive fields has prompted questions about whether it was a random crime, personal dispute, or linked to his professional work. Fusion research, while primarily aimed at sustainable energy, overlaps with areas of military interest, including thermonuclear processes.
Loureiro’s affiliation with MIT – which in the 1970s trained dozens of Iranian nuclear engineers under a pre-revolution program – has been noted in some discussions, though no direct connection to current events exists. Speculation in online circles has ranged widely, including unsubstantiated theories tying the incident to international tensions, but police emphasize the probe is in its early stages with no confirmed links.Neighbors reported hearing loud bangs, and a small memorial has formed outside the home.
The case remains active, with heightened police presence in the area.Loureiro leaves behind a legacy of advancing plasma physics and fusion science. His recent honors included the 2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The MIT community is reeling, with support resources offered to students and staff.