# In Memoriam ## Michael B. McElroy (1939–2026) Faculty Associate Michael B. McElroy, Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, died January 8, 2026, at age 86. He was a pioneering atmospheric scientist whose research on stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change was instrumental in protecting Earth from harmful UV radiation. He expanded his work into energy science and decarbonization policy in the US, China, and India. McElroy’s accomplishments on campus were many—especially at a time when other universities were scaling back. He founded the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in 1986, established the Environmental Science & Public Policy concentration in 1993, chaired the first University-wide Committee on the Environment, founded the Harvard-China Project, and directed the Harvard University Center for the Environment. Here at the Weatherhead Center, he was one of the principal investigators for a 2010 Weatherhead Initiative on the Costs and Benefits of Carbon and Air Pollution Control in China: An Interdisciplinary and Analytical Framework. Known for his intellectual curiosity, collaborative approach, exceptional mentorship, and relentless dedication to solving planetary challenges, McElroy will be missed greatly. ## Pierre Keller (1927–2026) Dr. Pierre Keller was a long-time affiliate and supporter of the Weatherhead Center. He began as a Fellow in the Fellows Program (1979–1980), and served on our visiting committee (1994–2002) and on our advisory committee (2006–2016). He was particularly involved with supporting the Program on Transatlantic Relations and our conference in Talloires, France. Keller was not only the first chair of the Europaeum’s Trustees, a position he held from 2004 until 2017, but also a great intellectual and financial supporter. When he stood down as chair, the Europaeum was delighted that he was willing to become honorary president. --- ## More from this issue [### Spring 2026, Volume 40 Number 2 ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026) ![Half of graphic is a photo of the sphinx at Giza and the other half is a large duotone blue W with the words "Centerpiece" overlaid in white.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Cover-Social-16x9.png?itok=yIQDs2tG) [### Message from the Executive Director ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/executive-director) ![Headshot of Erin Goodman alongside her name and title, set against a gray background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/ED%20MESSAGE_0.png?itok=zl7q3V2t) [### Of Note ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/of_note) ![Outside view of Knafel yard and buildings.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/OF%20NOTE.png?itok=eUHHelYe) [### New Books ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/newbooks) ![Collage of a dozen or so book covers, all in different sizes, against a gray background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/NEW%20BOOKS.png?itok=zgJxB3-A) [### In Conversation with Erez Manela and Kendall Carll ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/feature_interview) ![Student Kendall Carll and Professor Erez Manela sit, in conversation, on a green sofa with a plant in the background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/INTERVIEW%20W%20EREZ.png?itok=Epj4qu_6) [### The Mechanics of Public Man-Made Death: USAID’s Destruction At One Year ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/feature_jodidi) ![Atul Gawande, gesturing with his hands, speaks in conversation with Erez Manela in a wood paneled room.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/JODIDI%20EXCERPTS.png?itok=zX9l5uDS) [### Student Programs ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/prog_student) ![A group of 19 people pose and smile for a photo in an office setting, standing in front of sofas and framed artwork on the wall.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/AtTheCenter-Students-GSA%20Group.jpg?itok=gU3G9jzC) [### Weatherhead Research Cluster on Global History ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/prog_wigh) ![Two-image collage of book cover and a photo of a man in a suit signing a book at a table while another man holding a wine glass stands nearby and people converse in the background at an indoor event.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/SVEN%20BOOK%20TALKS.png?itok=6QILdVlJ) [### Weatherhead Scholars Program ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/prog_wsp) ![Four people stand side by side, smiling, in front of a wall with the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics logo.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/WSP%20AND%20GAP.png?itok=R71eSEiH) [### New Faculty Associates ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/new_faculty) ![Collage of twelve professional headshots in circular frames alongside a list of their names.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/FACULTY%20ASSOCIATES_0.png?itok=MQ93qC92) [### Harvard Alumni Summit: Middle East and Africa ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/has-mea-conference) ![A woman holding a microphone speaks on stage at the Harvard Alumni Summit Middle East & Africa, with the event logo in the background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/HARV%20ALUMNI%20SUMMIT.png?itok=W13J1oLe) [### Spring 2026 Photo Gallery ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2026/photo_gallery) ![Five professionals stand next to each other, each holding their own book and smiling.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/EVENTS.png?itok=rOADf5IT) See also:- [ Centerpiece: Spring 2026 ](/newsletter-issues/centerpiece-spring-2026)