In Memory of Mikhail Menshikov

Misha was educated at Moscow State University where he also worked for many years. Following a period at the University of Sao Paulo, he came to Durham as Professor of Mathematics in September 2000. He was an expert in probability theory with nearly 100 publications and world leading results in percolation theory and random walks. Misha supported the development of other colleagues and contributed significantly to the Probability group.

He was a successful PhD supervisor with most of his ten students following an academic career. In 2018 some of these students organised a workshop in celebration of his 70th birthday. In the photo above he can be seen holding a glass with an etching of percolation on the square lattice, given to him on the occasion in recognition of his fundamental results on these models.

Misha partially retired in 2021 but continued his research and teaching, including as module leader for Discrete Mathematics which is taken by most first year Mathematics students.

Misha had many friends in the Department and will be greatly missed by staff and students. Our deepest condolences go to his children, family and friends.