The Assembly Hall of the Head Building of the Parc Científic of the University of València hosted, throughout the morning of 21 April, the tribute ceremony for Professor Antonio (Toni) Ferrer Soria (Gandia, 1945). Nearly one hundred attendees, including the director and deputy director of IFIC, Sergio Pastor and Javier Vijande, as well as family members, colleagues, friends, and students, gathered to recall the many shared moments over the years, as well as his significant contributions to the field of physics.

The event was titled Tribute to Antonio (Toni) Ferrer Soria – A physicist with a drive for projects and initiatives, always with a human face and was organised by José Francisco Salt Cairols, Miguel Ángel Sanchis Lozano, José María Benlloch Baviera, and Enrique Sanchis Peris.

The purpose of the tribute was to highlight Toni Ferrer’s personal, academic, and professional trajectory, whose role was essential in shaping the Instituto de Física Corpuscular, IFIC (a joint centre of the Spanish National Research Council and the University of Valencia) in its modern stage, with the launch of major scientific projects in experimental particle physics (DELPHI, ATLAS). He also supported many initiatives in different areas of fundamental physics (for example, astroparticle physics) as well as their applications for societal progress. The programme included numerous contributions—both in person and remotely, as well as through readings and written messages—from researchers at various national and international centres, as well as friends and colleagues present in the hall.

«Aside from his scientific excellence, if one had to highlight a defining trait of Toni’s character, it would be his great generosity towards the community of physicists in his field. And also his drive and initiative—one might even say courage—in facing both scientific and technological challenges», the organisers noted. These assessments were also echoed by the speakers and colleagues who took part in a dedicated session. «We should also not forget his role as a key reference for generations of researchers, as well as his work as an author of physics textbooks. He also carried out an outstanding role in the RSEF as vice-president over three terms», they recalled.

At the end of the ceremony, following this heartfelt tribute, Professor Antonio Ferrer’s family expressed their deep gratitude to all attendees—researchers from different disciplines and friends—who accompanied them in person in the hall or remotely from other research centres, particularly from France and Switzerland.

More information:  https://indico.ific.uv.es/event/8392/