UC Irvine News Brief: Longtime physics professor Doug Mills has died

Research Professor of Physics & Astronomy Douglas L. Mills lost his long fight with leukemia on Thursday, March 29.

“Anyone who knew what Doug had been going through in the past several years was truly amazed by his good-natured fight,” said Kenneth Janda, physical sciences dean. “He treated his own case as a science experiment; he dug into the literature and worked closely with his medical team to find the correct treatment. Doug was an optimist right up to the end.”

Mills was one of UCI’s earliest physics professors. He was known globally for his research in condensed matter and his eagnerness to collaborate with physicists in a variety of disciplines.

“With the passing of Professor Mills, the UC Irvine Department of Physics and Astronomy and the international condensed-matter physics community have lost a major figure,” said fellow professor Alex Maradudin. “Doug was a world expert on the electronic, optical and magnetic properties of surfaces, nanostructures and multilayer devices.”

Mills relished his role as a mentor to younger people and loved to sail, as well. “His enthusiasm was profound and infectious,” Janda said. “We will miss him dearly.”

The school will remember Mills’ life and contributions to UCI at 3 p.m. Friday, April 6, in Natural Sciences II 1201. For memorial details and the family’s wishes, see the physical sciences website.