Vatche Berj Deyirmenjian, Associate Professor Teaching Stream in the Department of Physics, passed away in Toronto on May 15, 2023, having succumbed to an illness.
Vatche's connection to the Department of Physics at U of T goes back to 1986 when he began his BSc in Physics and Mathematics here. After graduating in 1990, he went to the University of Cambridge, where he completed his PhD in 1995, with a thesis on “Quantum Mechanical Simulation of the Mechanical Behaviour and Metallic Bonding of Defective Aluminium”. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995-1996). He then returned to U of T, where he worked with Professor Stephen Morris from 1996 to 2000, initially supported by an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Vatche was appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Physics in 2000, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2010, and then to Associate Professor, Teaching Stream in 2016.
As a PhD student, Vatche's research interests were focussed on modelling atomic scale defects using electronic structure computations, comparing quantum mechanical calculations with classical schemes, describing the dependence of mechanical behaviour on interatomic bonding, and comparing continuum theories of solids with atomistic simulations. At MIT, he implemented electronic structure calculations based on wavelets and studied the statistical mechanics of dislocations in solids. Back at U of T, he calculated the coherence properties of electrons originating from metals, demonstrated the coherent control of electron emission from metal surfaces, and analyzed nonlinear electroconvection in liquid crystal fluid films.
After his appointment as Lecturer, Vatche turned his attention to teaching physics. Over more than 20 years, thousands of students learned about physics from Vatche, who always taught with his own special style. At the undergraduate level, he taught PHY131 and PHY132 (Introduction to Physics I and II) as well as PHY256 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics), PHY480/PHY452 (Statistical Mechanics), PHY454 (Continuum Mechanics), PHY[1]491 (Current Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics), and several of our first-year laboratories. He also enjoyed teaching breadth courses to non-science students, including PHY100 (The Magic of Physics) for almost 20 years, PHY196 (Emergence in Nature), PHY202 (The Physics of Science Fiction and Gaming), and PHY205 (The Physics of Everyday Life). At the graduate level, he taught PHY1860 (Foundations of Quantum Optics) and PHY2205 (Special Topics in Quantum Optics: Photons and Atoms). In addition to teaching, Vatche was involved in the Physics Olympiad Preparation Program at U of T (2002-2003) and helped operate the Canadian Chemistry and Physics Olympiad National Camp in 2009.
After learning of Vatche’s sudden and unexpected passing, his colleagues remembered him with affection and respect. His kindness, willingness to help, and dry sense of humour were greatly appreciated. He is also remembered as a brilliant physicist who had a passion for science, a gift for explaining complex topics, and a deep dedication to teaching his students. Vatche is greatly missed and fondly remembered by his friends, colleagues, and students.
By Kimberly Strong