Mario Primicerio (1940–2025)
The EMS is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mario Primicerio, and we send our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and students.
Primicerio, who was 84, passed away on May 30, 2025, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in mathematics and its applications to science and industry.
After graduating in Physics in 1962, Primicerio began his research career at the Ionized Gas Laboratory in Frascati before moving to the University of Florence in 1970, first as associate professor and from 1975 as full professor of Rational Mechanics. His vision extended far beyond individual research achievements. Primicerio served as President of the Committee for Applied Mathematics of the European Mathematical Society from 2006 to 2012 and was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) from 2007 to 2015. He also led the Italian Society for Applied and Industrial Mathematics (SIMAI) as President. Primicerio was also one of the founders and the very first president of EU-MATHS-IN. This network now represents over 400 research centers and 9,000 researchers across Europe.
Primicerio's mathematical excellence was recognized through his election as National Member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in 2009, having been a corresponding member since 1992. Beyond mathematics, he served as Mayor of Florence from 1995 to 1999.
Primicerio's passing represents an immense loss to the mathematical community. His vision of mathematics as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical innovation created institutions and networks that continue to shape European science policy and industrial collaboration.
Tweet Share