In Memory of Martin Karplus (15 March 1930 - 28 December 2024)

© Nobel Media AB. Photo: A. Mahmoud

It is with great sadness that we remember Professor Martin Karplus (1930–2024), a pioneering theoretical chemist and Nobel laureate. Karplus passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind a monumental legacy in the field of chemistry.

Karplus, along with Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013 for his work on the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems. His groundbreaking contributions to the field of molecular dynamics helped establish computational chemistry as an essential tool in understanding and predicting molecular behavior, with far-reaching implications in medicine, material science, and biological research.

Born in Vienna in 1930, Karplus fled the rise of Nazism and settled in the United States, where he completed his PhD at the California Institute of Technology in 1953. His academic journey took him through prestigious institutions, with the majority of his academic career spent at Harvard University and the University of Strasbourg. Over the course of his distinguished career, Karplus made significant advances in the study of protein dynamics, quantum chemistry, and computational methods that revolutionized the understanding of molecular interactions.

In addition to his Nobel Prize, Karplus was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a foreign member of the Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society of London. His work continues to shape research in a wide array of scientific fields, and his impact as both a scientist and educator will be felt for generations to come

Karplus was known not only for his groundbreaking research but also for his mentorship and dedication to training young scientists. His legacy lives on in the continued advancement of computational techniques and in the many students and colleagues who carry forward his commitment to innovation and excellence in science.

At World Scientific, we were privileged to publish Spinach on the Ceiling: The Multifaceted Life of a Theoretical Chemist, Professor Karplus' memoir, which captures not only the breadth of his scientific achievements but also his humour, curiosity, and warmth.

Spinach on the Ceiling is an autobiographical telling of Karplus' life story, and how it led him to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013. The book reflects how Martin Karplus' unwavering optimism and belief in his vision enabled him to overcome numerous setbacks and transform a field of study that his colleagues initially dismissed as a "waste of time" into a cornerstone of both chemistry and structural biology. Through Spinach on the Ceiling, he hopes to inspire young readers, encouraging them to pursue their own paths with determination and resilience, just as he did. While research and teaching were his primary focus, Karplus also had a passion for photography, capturing people and places around the world with his Leica IIIC. His photographs were showcased in numerous exhibitions. Additionally, he cultivated a lifelong love for cooking, having worked in some of the finest restaurants in France and Spain, further highlighting the breadth of his curiosity and creativity.

Spinach on the Ceiling: The Multifaceted Life of a Theoretical Chemist, published by World Scientific Publishing, retails for US$38 / £35 (paperback) and US$88 / £80 (hardcover). To order or learn more about the book, visit https://doi.org/10.1142/q0238.