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Remembering ICTP Geophysicist Karim Aoudia

Tributes pour in for esteemed researcher, educator and friend
High Energy, Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics
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Remembering ICTP Geophysicist Karim Aoudia

Charismatic; cheerful; exceptional educator; mentor; good friend.

These are the words that colleagues, collaborators, students, and friends of Abdelkrim (Karim) Aoudia are using to describe the late geophysicist and educator, who passed away on Monday 20 October at the age of 57.

Born and raised in Algeria, Karim arrived in Trieste some 30 years ago to pursue a PhD in geophysics and geodynamics at the University of Trieste. His association with ICTP began in 1995 when he was awarded a fellowship in the Centre's Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL) programme. He became a fulltime ICTP scientist in 2007 with the Earth System Physics section, leading the group's research on solid-Earth geophysics.

He combined his scientific work with teaching and mentoring students from the global South; his impact on their lives, along with his co-workers and collaborators, is evident from the hundreds of tributes that have flowed in as news of his death spread throughout the ICTP community and beyond.

"Karim was an outstanding scientist whose skills and enthusiasm stretched well beyond ICTP and impacted so many young scientists around the globe," said ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar, adding, "He has been a crucial asset for ICTP’s mission for many years, since his appointment as an ICTP researcher in 2007. His passionate dedication and commitment to the institute were exemplary. Karim will be dearly missed by all of us at ICTP and beyond in the international scientific community and will always be remembered as an ambassador for the mission of the Center."

Sandro Scandolo, ICTP's Senior Coordinator for Research and Partnerships, recalled Karim as a skilled researcher and dependable friend. "Extremely proud of his training as an engineer, Karim combined mathematical rigor and a keen physical intuition with a broad knowledge of earthquakes and, more generally, of deformation processes in the Earth’s upper layers. His studies on deformations induced by major earthquakes in Algeria (2003), the Himalayas (2015), Friuli (1976), and along the Dinaric fault in Slovenia are milestones of modern seismology. On a more personal note, I will miss not only an outstanding colleague but also a dear friend, someone whose presence I could always count on, whether it was for a difficult moment, or just for a coffee."

Other testimonials from Karim's close colleagues, collaborators and friends are included below.

 

  • Thank you, Karim, for your unconditional commitment to the ICTP mission and for your invaluable mentorship to so many students and young researchers. We are deeply grateful for your leadership, your diplomacy, and for being such a supportive colleague in our section, walking alongside us throughout our careers with mutual respect and trust.
    Colleagues in the ESP section Erika Coppola, Riccardo Farneti, Graziano Giuliani, Fred Kucharski, Adrian Tompkins, Susanne Henningsen
  • Karim Aoudia was an invaluable asset for the Earth System Physics section. He single handedly built and lead with great passion a florid group on solid Earth activities in ESP. Karim was a very bright and enthusiastic scientist who built an extensive international network of collaborations and raised many young scientists. He provided great service not only to ESP but also to ICTP as a whole. On the personal side, I remember him as an always optimistic, cheerful and outspoken person with a great sense of humor and always ready to help others. Although he lived in Italy for many years, he was always very attached to his family traditions in Algeria. My thoughts and condolences go to his beloved family. Karim will be sorely missed.
    Filippo Giorgi, former head, ESP section
  • Karim was so much more than an accomplished scientist. He was a beacon of humanity - for everyone, but especially for those in need, for those too often forgotten. An earthquake happened somewhere in the world? Karim went there with his measurement devices, not thinking for a minute about his own safety. Selecting or teaching students? Karim always knew who needed his attention most. In his way of doing science, of engaging with the global community, he embodied how ICTP should be.

    But Karim’s humanity reached far beyond his work. We, his friends, always had his strong shoulder to lean on. He had a smile and a funny story to cheer one up. He somehow always knew - without being told - when a friend needed him.

    As tragic and devastating as his loss is for all of us at ICTP, it is, of course, Francesca and their sons who will feel his absence most deeply. Let us stand close to them and continue to carry forward Karim’s legacy. It is what he would have wanted.
    Ralph Gebauer, ICTP colleague and friend

  • Karim's sudden departure is a great loss for ICTP and the worldwide scientific community. He represented the essence of what ICTP stands for: excellence in science but above all, on the human aspect of science. Being such a charismatic person, he was a major presence at ICTP,  I will always be grateful to him for all his help during my time there and for his dear friendship. I join the whole ICTP community, especially Francesca and their children in mourning the loss of such a special human being. He will be forever in our memories.
    Fernando Quevedo, former director, ICTP
  • I was deeply shocked to learn that Karim passed away suddenly. He will be missed by most people who knew him. Open-minded and devoted to the mission of ICTP, he was a valued colleague and a warm presence in our community. I met his family once or twice and did not know them well, but I wish to extend to them my heartfelt condolences. He was far too young to go.

    I hired Karim to ICTP. I was convinced that he would be good for ICTP, and time proved that conviction to be right. He was outgoing and positive in my interactions with him, and he worked tirelessly for the Centre.

    Karim was appointed to strengthen the solid-Earth component of the Earth System Physics Section. From quiet conversations at different times, I learned that he was well liked and respected by ICTP visitors and collaborators in his area. I had also placed him in charge of managing ICTP’s partnership with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). I had persuaded KFAS to provide annual funds to ICTP; while they did not require prior approval on how the money was spent, they expected both verbal and written reports on its use. About two years after I left ICTP, I met the KFAS director and asked him about Karim. He spoke of him with warmth and appreciation. Others will, I am sure, recall many other valuable contributions that Karim made.

    It will be difficult to replace Karim. Yet when one life ends, the world does not cease—only a pattern within it falls silent.
    K.R. Sreenivasan, former director Abdus Salam Professor, ICTP

  • This is the saddest news of many, many years. I have never met a happier more enthusiastic scientist than Karim. He was such a delight and an inspiration to us all.  We have all lost a true friend.  He radiated such goodness!
    Roger Bilham, University of Colorado Boulder, research collaborator
  • I don't remember how we met... UNESCO courses, the organization of ESC2016? But Karim and I immediately developed a clear and sincere understanding. As soon as I arrived in Trieste, he asked me to join the Diploma courses. I accepted with great joy and shared wonderful evenings with him and his family. His majestic couscous. Karim had enormous strength, a true Berber knight, inspiring, sharp, curious, and an excellent scientist with whom I shared a love for earth sciences and combat sports. He was able to transfer his passion and knowledge to many young people around the world. He leaves behind a great legacy of skill in transferring knowledge, rare intelligence, and a culture open to the world and to everyone. Needless to say, his loss is enormous for our entire community and for all those who believe that science should unite and be shared. A hug to Francesca and their wonderful kids.
    Stefano Parolai, University of Trieste, research collaborator

  • It is indeed a very sad and shocking news that Dr. Abdelkrim (Karim) Aoudia has passed away. I am deeply saddened by this loss. We were not only good collaborators on several academic and professional fronts, but I also considered him one of my closest and dearest friends. His remarkable intellect, kindness, and ready to help in promoting science and education left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to work with him.

    Karim was remarkably prompt in recognizing the need to support Nepal after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. We organized a workshop in Kathmandu immediately after the disaster in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology which I coordinated. Karim played a key role in bringing several GPS receivers to be installed in the affected areas for follow-up studies aimed at understanding the impact of the earthquake’s future consequences. These newly installed GPS stations produced very important results that contributed significantly to our understanding of the event.

    Dr. Aoudia’s contributions to science and education will continue to inspire many of us who had the privilege to know him. His warmth, sincerity, and sense of humor made every interaction a memorable occasion. He will be profoundly missed both as a colleague and as a friend. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his family and loved ones find strength and comfort in this difficult time. Bishal Upreti, Nepal Academy of Science & Technology, research collaborator

  • I spoke with Karim just a few days ago. He replied in his usual cordial and exuberant way, as he always did since I first met him during my PhD at the University of Trieste. At a time like this, it’s hard to find the right words. I admired his spontaneity, his contagious energy, his determination, his culture, and the passion he put into training young people from all over the world. When I was a postdoc at ICTP, I remember our conversations about the results of our studies and his extraordinary ability to interpret them and turn them into a clear model. Karim was not just a colleague: he was a mentor, a guide, and a friend. His presence left a deep mark, and I hope he continues to look after us, wherever he is now.
    Mariangela Guidarelli, former student
  • I am deeply saddened by passing of Professor Karim — our beloved teacher during the Diploma Program at ICTP. I also had the privilege of working with him for several months as a research consulate at ICTP and was always in contact with him during my PhD journey.

    He was not only an exceptional educator but also a guiding figure who cared for us like a parent, always showing us the right path in both our academic and personal lives.

    Professor Karim was my true role model and the greatest inspiration behind my journey in the field of seismology. During my PhD, through every high and low, his encouragement and belief in me kept me moving forward. I can proudly say that it is because of him that I stand today as a geophysicist. Every time I look back at my PhD journey, the first person who comes to my mind is Professor Karim — the one who constantly motivated and guided me. If I have to remember the best teacher in my life, it would be him and only him. He will be deeply missed, but his teachings, kindness, and inspiration will forever remain in my heart. I am truly grateful for everything he has done for me and for all the lives he has touched. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May they find strength and comfort during this difficult time. His legacy will continue to live on in all of us who had the privilege to learn from him.
    Apsara Sharma Dhakal, former student

  • I had the privilege of working closely with Prof. Karim as my Diploma Thesis and PhD supervisor, and later as a research consultant in the Earth System Physics section at ICTP. Although I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina Central University, I have continued to collaborate with him. Recently, two of our research papers were accepted for publication in Seismological Research Letters and the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth after we addressed the reviewers’ comments.

    It is incredibly hard to believe that just two days ago, we were discussing the final revisions on our paper, and now he is no longer with us. I am deeply heartbroken, yet I am trying to stay strong—knowing how much he valued perseverance and hard work in his students.

    I owe my current position and much of my scientific growth to his guidance and mentorship. Prof. Karim was not only an outstanding scientist but also a generous and compassionate mentor whose wisdom, patience, and encouragement profoundly shaped my academic journey. His passing is a great personal loss to me and an immense loss to the entire geophysical community.

    My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for his contributions, vision, and humanity.
    Hari Ram Thapa, former student

  • At first glance, many students saw Karim as a fierce and demanding person.  But once you got to know him, you realized that behind that firmness was a lecturer deeply and affectionately committed to his students’ academic excellence. He had a way of pushing us beyond our elastic limits, challenging our thinking, expanding our creativity, and sharpening our problem-solving skills. He would constantly say "Think and think. But think in space and time".

    Outside the classroom, Karim was just as remarkable. His first question after greeting Diploma students was always, “How are you doing, and how is your family back home?” His door was always widely open not just literally, but metaphorically. He was always ready to listen, advise, and support. He often reminded us that students come first, even before administrative duties, and he lived by those words.

    Karim taught me that beyond skills and knowledge, people truly matter. I saw that in the way he related to everyone. His warmth toward students and his genuine friendships with colleagues extended across the Geophysics and Seismology community in Italy and beyond.

    He made sure we never felt alone. During difficult times, his support felt like a reassuring shoulder to lean on. Occasionally, he welcomed us into his family, inviting us to his home for dinner, laughter, and games. Those evenings filled with conversation, joy, and connection remain among my most cherished memories.

    He wasn’t just a supervisor; he was a mentor, a guide, and a father. His lessons will live on in the way I think, work, and care for others. I will miss him deeply, but his impact on my life and on countless others will never fade.
    Deborah Osei-Tutu, former student

  • As one of Karim’s recent PhD students and collaborators, I could not have asked for a better supervisor. Over the years, we had countless scientific discussions, but beyond the science, Karim became much more than an academic advisor to me. I believe this is true for many of his students and collaborators, who have come to see him as a lifelong friend.

    For me personally, Karim was a father figure when I first arrived, and as I matured, he became like a big brother. He involved me in family activities and made sure I felt at home. To paint a picture: imagine coming from a developing country where Christmas is vibrant and full of activity, to a quiet, family-oriented Christmas in Trieste where almost everything is closed and you might otherwise be alone. Then imagine setting the table for a lovely family Christmas dinner in Karim’s living room, feeling welcomed and integrated into the culture.

    So while Karim’s scientific contributions are many and well documented, I would like to highlight the personal connections he worked so hard to build with his students and collaborators at ICTP and around the world.

    At ICTP, it is natural to have collaborators from every corner of the globe, but what was remarkable about Karim was the effort he invested in those relationships. For him, the connection did not end at the office. He would often invite visiting scientists to his home, fostering stronger bonds beyond the academic setting. I was always amazed when he and his lovely partner, Francesca, would reminisce about people they had hosted 15 or even 20 years earlier.

    Karim carried this warm and welcoming spirit into every conference and workshop he organized, both at ICTP and abroad. Always seated at the back near the door, he made sure to create a friendly and relaxed environment that encouraged interaction among students, participants, and speakers. This atmosphere became a hallmark of his events, where everyone left feeling enriched not only by the science but also by the sense of community he so naturally cultivated.

    At ICTP, Karim was incredibly protective of his students and took genuine joy in our successes, both academic and personal. Some found the love of their lives in his office; some he supported for their relationships to blossom leading to marriage and many other love stories that always brought him great happiness and pride.

    He also actively promoted intercultural understanding among his students. At least once a year, he would invite us to his home to share our cultures through food and music. He created a space where students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds could speak openly about their experiences and challenges with him, and he always went out of his way to help, whether it was extending a stay, solving bureaucratic issues, or simply offering advice.

    One lesson Karim made sure to instil in every new student was time management and punctuality. For many of us from developing countries, this required some adjustment. I often smiled when new students told me they were “afraid” of Karim because they were trying so hard to be on time. I always reassured them that Karim was one of the kindest, friendliest, and most fun people they would ever meet in academia, and without fail, they soon realized it too. They learned punctuality, professionalism, and above all, built a deep connection with Karim that they would cherish forever and knowing that he was always there to support them long after they had left ICTP.

    It was an absolute privilege to have been your student, Karim. The news of your passing has come far too soon for all of us. Your kindness, mentorship, and humanity will remain with us always and you will forever be in our hearts.
    Daniel Manu-Marfo, former student and collaborator

  • It was utterly devastating to receive the shocking news from ICTP, while I was on a flight to New York to attend the launch of another milestone event aimed at further advancing  the work and sustaining the noble mission of ICTP — work that Karim himself had so deeply contributed to and epitomized. The irony and sorrow of that moment were overwhelming, an ambivalence of soul and emotion beyond words.

    Karim was, in every sense, a living symbol of what ICTP stands for. His ever-present, captivating smile reflected the true spirit and mission of the Centre. It is impossible to imagine ICTP without his warmth, kindness, and inspiring presence among students and colleagues alike — teaching  and mentoring not only physics, but also the values of dedication, humility, and humanity at their finest. He contributed immensely to expand and sustain the scientific collaboration between ICTP and many scientific centers and foundations across the globe, including with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, where I met him first.

    He will be deeply missed by his family, by the entire ICTP community, and by all who had the privilege to know him. I will miss him dearly — but I will also make sure  to work with ICTP leadership, his  students and friends that his memory, and all he stood for, will be always remembered at ICTP.
    Adnan Shihab-Eldin, former Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences

  • Dear Karim, I've always cherished the time we spent together, both at work and outside of it. In the office and in class, every problem you explained seemed so simple, and in our free time, all the stories you told and things we did together created memories I'll always treasure! We will miss you.
    Blaž and Irena Vičič
  • I just learned with utmost sorrow and shock, the undue passing away of our brother Karim Aoudia. I would like to join the fraternity in mourning, and I convey my condolences and compassion to all his colleagues and to Karim's family. May his soul rest in eternal peace. 
    Mohammed Belhocine, former commissioner, African Union
  • This week has brought a sudden sadness to the International School of Trieste community through the loss of Dr. Abdelkrim (Karim) Aoudia. As a former IST parent and previous member of the school’s Board of Directors, Dr. Aoudia was an enthusiastic supporter and constant cheerleader for our school’s initiatives. His connections in the IST school community were both wide and deep. He saw the good in everything and everyone, making connections between IST and ICTP meaningful for both students and teachers. He made things happen and our school is the better for it.

    The tribute published by Dr. Aoudia’s colleagues at ICTP is an excellent example of the many ways he impacted the scientific and local community. It is our pleasure to think of Dr. Aoudia with fondness and appreciation, following the example that he set for joy in learning and working together. Our thoughts are with Dr. Aoudia’s wife and sons.
    International School of Trieste

Researcher, Mentor, Humanitarian

Aoudia's career at ICTP epitomised ICTP's mission. Whether in the classroom or in the field following major earthquake disasters, Karim was driven by his compassion for humanity and ICTP founder Abdus Salam's vision for equal access to science. Some highlights of his achievements and impact are linked below.

 

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