The Assembly Hall of the Head Building at the Parc Científic of the Universitat de València hosted, throughout the morning of last Thursday, January 29, the tribute ceremony to the recently deceased professor and emeritus chair José Bernabéu Alberola, Pepe (Mutxamel, 1945). More than a hundred attendees, including family members, friends, students, and colleagues, gathered to recall the moments and memories shared over decades, as well as his significant contributions to the field of physics.

Under the title Celebrating Pepe, a Passion for Life and Physics, the ceremony, organized by Gabriela Barenboim, Francisco Botella, and Antonio Pich, aimed to commemorate the personal, academic, and professional journey of Pepe Bernabéu, who played a crucial role in the consolidation of the Instituto de Física Corpuscular, IFIC (a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council and the Universitat de València) in its modern stage, where he promoted outstanding basic research and its applications in the field of medical physics.

The program featured numerous contributions—delivered in person, virtually, or through readings and messages of support—from researchers at various national and international institutions, as well as friends and colleagues.

“José Bernabéu Alberola, Pepe to everyone who knew him, was much more than a brilliant theoretical physicist: he was a force of nature who lived science with contagious enthusiasm,” the organizers highlight. From his pioneering years at CERN to his tireless leadership at the Universitat de València and IFIC, Professor Bernabéu trained generations of researchers and advanced our understanding of the universe through his work on electroweak physics, neutrinos, and quantum symmetries.

“However, beyond his remarkable achievements, Pepe will be remembered for his warmth, curiosity, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to others,” they add. “Pepe’s spirit lives on in his students, his colleagues, and in the very heart of the physics he loved so much. We wanted to invite everyone who appreciated him to join us in this celebration of a life devoted to knowledge, friendship, and the joy of discovery.”

Finally, following this heartfelt tribute, Professor Pepe Bernabéu’s family expressed their deep gratitude to all attendees—researchers from different disciplines and friends—who accompanied them either in person or via remote connection from around the world, especially those who traveled from different parts of Spain and abroad, such as Mexico or Italy. “It was very moving that the personal dimension, in addition to the scientific and leadership aspects, was highlighted unanimously,” they stated.

More information and event program: https://indico.ific.uv.es/event/8310/