The ICMRBS Council is saddened to learn of the recent passing of two of our colleagues, Masatsune Kainosho and Robert Shulman, who each made numerous discoveries in NMR spectroscopy and played fundamental roles for the ICMRBS.

Masatsune Kainosho (1942-2025), Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Metropolitan University, an Honorary Member of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Society of Japan and former President of the Society.  Prof. Kainosho made outstanding and lasting contributions to the pioneering and development of biological nuclear magnetic resonance research, particularly with elegant isotopic labeling approaches.  He played a pivotal role in the successful organization of ICMRBS held in Japan, including the 18th ICMRBS in Tokyo and the 27th ICMRBS in Kyoto.  More information can be found on the attached memorial from our colleagues Peter Wright and Mitsu Ikura ( Kainosho Memorial Note ) as well as at this website established by Prof. Kainosho’s students and staff ( memorial website ).

Robert Shulman (1924-2026), Sterling Professor Emeritus of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University and member of the U.S. National Academy of Science and National Academy of Medicine.  Through his work at Bell Labs and Yale, Prof. Shulman made fundamental advances in biological NMR spectroscopy, particularly as applied to study metabolism in living organisms.  Together with Mildred Cohn and Oleg Jardetzky, he organized the first ICMRBS in 1964, for which all three are recognized on the ICMRBS Founders Medal.  More information can be in an obituary ( Yale Obituary ) and a 2024 profile ( Yale profile ) from Yale University.

Both Kai and Bob were deeply appreciated by many in the ICMRBS community and they will be missed.  We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, colleagues, and friends.