Korff, Serge A. (Serge Alexander), 1906-1989

Physicist and educator. Born in Helsingfors, Finland, in 1906; immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1917 and became a citizen in 1927. Attended Princeton (A.B. 1928, M.A. 1929, Ph.D. 1931). Between 1932 and 1940, completed research fellowships at the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the California Institute of Technology, the Carnegie Institute of Washington, and the Bartol Research Foundation. In collaboration with other physicists, investigated topics such as optical dispersion, proportional counters and neutron measurements in cosmic radiation.

Professor of physics at New York University 1941-1972. Trained several generations of students, taking many on research expeditions as far away as the North Pole and the South Seas. Active in the international scientific community. Compiled the report of the Joint Commission on High Altitude Research for ICSU-UNESCO; served on the Cosmic Ray Technical Panel for the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58; organized the pole to pole Rockwell Scientific Round-the-World Flight in 1965; and encouraged and secured support for scientific efforts around the world, particularly in Central and South America.

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