In Memoriam: Paul M. DeLuca

Paul M. DeLuca, Jr., PhD

Paul M. DeLuca, Jr., PhD, emeritus professor of medical physics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and former provost of UW–Madison, died on October 30, 2023, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was 79 years old.

After completing his doctorate in nuclear physics at the University of Notre Dame, DeLuca arrived at UW–Madison in 1971. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow and assistant scientist before he joined the School of Medicine and Public Health faculty in 1975. He served as chair of the Department of Medical Physics for 10 years, during which he helped expand its research, training programs, and facilities. He became the school’s vice dean for research and graduate studies, and he was instrumental in developing the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research and other research initiatives. Further, DeLuca served as UW–Madison’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs from 2009 until his retirement in 2014.

“Dr. DeLuca was a spectacular leader, colleague, and friend. He served our school and university with incredible wisdom, effectiveness, warmth, and great humor,” says Robert N. Golden, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health. “I was delighted when he became provost, and I deeply valued the opportunity to work with him in advancing the vision and missions of our university.”

As provost, DeLuca guided major leadership changes at the university as he played a lead role in recruiting and hiring 10 new deans and directors for campus units. He helped develop programs to advance the quality of undergraduate education; launch innovative, massive, online courses; and initiate and advance Discovery to Product, a major partnership between UW–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation that focuses on entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

DeLuca’s research centered on the connection between physics and medicine, including the effects of high-energy particle radiation on humans. He authored or co-authored more than 75 research papers, many focusing on various applications of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. He also supervised nearly 50 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

A fellow in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, DeLuca received that association’s William D. Coolidge Award. He also received the Folkert O. Belzer Lifetime Achievement Award from the School of Medicine and Public Health and was named a Rennebohm Research Professor at UW–Madison.

His family encourages donations to the Paul DeLuca, PhD, Scholar Fund, endowed by several of DeLuca’s former students. The fund directly benefits students and will support medical physics for years to come. To donate, visit supportuw.org/giveto/DeLucaScholarFund.