We are pleased to announce that Don Melrose has been selected to write the Solar Physics Memoir for 2026. Don completed a D.Phil. in theoretical particle physics as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford in 1965. He changed fields from elementary particle physics to plasma astrophysics during a post-doctoral appointment with Al Cameron at the Belfer Graduate School of Science in New York. Since 1979 he has been a Professor at the University of Sydney. Over his sixty-year career Don has made regular contributions to solar physics, most notably towards the understanding of solar radio bursts, particle acceleration and transport in solar flares, and the flare energy release mechanism. He provided an analytic description of a trap-plus-precipitation model for thick-target hard X-ray emission in solar flares (Melrose and Brown, 1976) and developed the theory of electron-cyclotron maser emission in the astrophysical context as a key source of coherent radio emission on the Sun and stars. Don’s work is characterized by deep physical insight and innovative analytical modeling. Don also has a notable record in research training: his PhD students who have continued into solar physics or related areas include Stephen White, Robert Winglee, Peter Robinson, Iver Cairns, and Michael Wheatland.
The Solar Physics memoir series has three main goals: (1) to honor colleagues for distinguished careers, (2) to provide long-term personal perspectives on solar science; and (3) to help educate younger members of the community. The selection committee is chaired by Ed Cliver and includes Peng-Fei Chen, Hebe Cremades, Jim Klimchuk, K.D. Leka, Eric Priest, Kazunari Shibata, Sami Solanki, and Astrid Veronig. Please contact any of them with suggestions for next year’s honoree.