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Sky above Bern on the day of Maurizio's funeral.

Published: 10 April 2025

Maurizio Falanga, February 2, 1969 – March 6, 2025

by Fabio Crameri

ISSI Staff

“I gang emol ufe„ – Remembering Maurizio with a Smile

Some people leave a mark on an institution not just through their work but through their warmth, their presence, and the way they make everyone feel at home. Maurizio Falanga was one of those people. His passing leaves a space at ISSI that can never truly be filled, but rather than mourn, we celebrate the joy, humour, and humanity he brought into our lives.

The Morning Rounds

Every morning, like clockwork, Maurizio would make his rounds, stepping into each office, sharing a quick chat, a joke, or a simple “How are you today?“. It was never just small talk—it was his way of staying connected, of making sure ISSI wasn’t just a workplace but a little close family. Then, with his signature phrase, “I go up then“—or in German „I gang emol ufe“—he would head up to his office on the fourth floor, leaving behind a little warmth in every room he passed through.

Now, in a way that feels both poignant and fitting, he has taken his final trip up. And while he may no longer physically walk these halls, his presence lingers in the stories we share, the traditions he started, and the echoes of laughter that still seem to hum in the air.

The Heart of ISSI

If ISSI had a front door in the form of a person, it was Maurizio. Our scientific visitors, whether first-timers or regulars, were greeted with his signature smile, open arms, and the kind of warmth that made them feel instantly at ease. He was more than a host; he was the person who embodied the essence of our institute—welcoming and neutral—best, the friendly face most ISSI visitors knew, and the person who made sure everyone, regardless of their stature in the scientific world, felt valued.

A Scientist and a Builder

Maurizio joined ISSI in June 2009 as a full-time Science Program Manager, and quickly became a cornerstone of the scientific operations. He poured his energy into co-organising countless workshops and co-editing numerous volumes of the ‘Space Science Series of ISSI’, including the first books published by ISSI Beijing.

His leadership and dedication became even more visible in 2013, when he took on the role of founding Executive Director of ISSI-BJ, helping shape and expand ISSI’s reach in Asia. In 2021, he took over the full-time position as ISSI Director in Bern, while also becoming a Professor at the University of Bern. Through all of this, he remained deeply involved in the scientific heartbeat of the institute—connecting scientists, building collaborations, and curating spaces where ideas could flourish.

A Leader Who Travelled and Listened

As Director, Maurizio had a leadership style that wasn’t just about policies or big decisions—it was about people. He led by listening, by taking the time to check in, by valuing conversation as much as conclusions. His door (and his mind) was always open, and his ability to turn a casual chat into an impactful discussion was legendary. Having spent much of his research career traveling across institutions and collaborations around the world, Maurizio knew firsthand the challenges and joys of working far from home. These experiences broadened his mind and deepened his perspective—both scientifically and personally. He carried with him a global outlook, an openness to different ways of thinking, and an effortless ability to connect across cultures. This gave him a deep appreciation for the scientists who passed through ISSI’s doors, and he made it his mission to ensure they felt not just welcomed, but understood.

A Life in High-Energy Astrophysics

Maurizio’s scientific background was in high-energy astrophysics, and he was widely recognised as an expert in accreting systems—particularly black holes and X-ray pulsars. His contributions spanned the theory of accretion, growth, and merger of black holes across the mass spectrum, from stellar-mass to supermassive. His review volume “The Physics of Accretion onto Black Holes” remains a valuable contribution in the field, bringing together physical models and observations from galactic binaries to quasars. He also had a deep interest in exotic phenomena such as pulsars, especially millisecond X-ray pulsars in binary systems, and in recent years had turned his attention to the intriguing domain of exoplanets around pulsars.

As a dedicated researcher, he authored or co-authored over 300 scientific papers and worked with observers and theoreticians from around the world. He made key contributions to X-ray astronomy, particularly through his work with missions like BeppoSAX and INTEGRAL. But even in the midst of such a productive scientific career, Maurizio always found time to nurture community—whether through editing books, mentoring young scientists, or simply sharing a coffee between sessions.

Jazz, Conversations, and the Fourth Floor

Music and conversation were his rhythms, and just like a good jazz piece (he would, for example, recommend João Gilberto), his presence was smooth, lively, and impossible to ignore. Jazz was a passion of his, and much like the great improvisers he admired, he knew how to navigate any situation with charm, humour, and a natural ability to make people feel comfortable.

The halls of ISSI may be quieter without his footsteps and his morning check-ins, but the melody of his impact plays on.

A Legacy That Lives On

It’s hard to sum up what Maurizio meant to ISSI in a single article, but fortunately, we don’t have to. The space science community has come together to share their own stories, memories, and heartfelt messages about him. From touching anecdotes to humorous recollections, you can read these tributes here: Memorial Page Maurizio Falanga.

Through these stories, through the people he touched, and through the laughter he left behind, Maurizio remains very much a part of ISSI. He may have gone up, but he will never be gone.

Grazie, Maurizio, for everything.

Credits ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Martel