It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Albert Shahinyan, Leading Researcher at the A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory.

His untimely passing is a great loss to the scientific community, his colleagues, loved ones, and all those who had the honor of knowing and working with him.

Albert Shahinyan’s scientific and professional career was closely connected for nearly five decades with the Yerevan Physics Institute and, later, with the A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory.

In 1976, he carried out his diploma work at the Yerevan Physics Institute, and in 1977, after graduating from the Department of Computing Machines of the Faculty of Cybernetics at the Yerevan Engineering Institute and defending his diploma thesis, he joined the Yerevan Physics Institute as a young specialist.

During the first years of his work, Albert Shahinyan actively participated in the development of an electronic and computer-based system for recording and accumulating data from research carried out on the γ3 beam. In the 1980s, he became involved in preparations for an experiment devoted to quark fragmentation and hadronization in the nuclear medium, working on the development of an electromagnetic calorimeter consisting of approximately 2,000 crystals and on the design of its technical solutions.

Although the experiment was not carried out due to financial and technical difficulties in subsequent years, the knowledge and experience acquired by A. Shahinyan were later applied in experiments conducted in Hall A of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

From 2000 onward, he became involved in cooperation between the Yerevan Physics Institute and Jefferson Lab, contributing his knowledge and professional experience to international scientific programs. Over the course of approximately 25 years, the AANL group under his leadership made a significant contribution to the design and construction of a number of systems for Hall A, including BigCal, BigBite, and EmCal, and also participated in numerous experiments using these systems within the framework of the GEP, GMn, A', and other programs.

Albert Shahinyan also actively participated in scientific work carried out at AANL. Under his leadership and with his direct involvement, a number of scientific projects funded by the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia were implemented. He was a member of AANL’s Experimental Physics Division and Scientific Council.

Albert Shahinyan’s many years of scientific and professional activity, his contribution to the field of experimental physics, and his participation in international scientific cooperation hold an important place in the history of the Laboratory.

The management and entire staff of the A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory extend their deepest condolences to Albert Shahinyan’s family, relatives, colleagues, loved ones, and all those who valued his contribution. We share their grief and sorrow.

The memory of Albert Shahinyan will remain alive in the hearts of his colleagues, students, and all those familiar with his scientific legacy.