Francois William Primeau

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former MIT-WHOI Joint Program Student Francois William Primeau on June 19, 2026. Francois began as a MIT-WHOI Joint Program Student in 1992.

Please see following article from the UC Irvine Website written by Kieron Burke Interim Dean, School of Physical Sciences:

With a heavy heart, I share that our trusted colleague and friend of more than 25 years, Francois William Primeau, passed away on Friday. This is an unimaginable loss for all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Juno, and their son, Louis.

Francois joined the UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science in 2001 and quickly became an indispensable member of our community. He served as Chair of the department from 2021 to 2024. During his tenure, he helped the school navigate the aftermath of COVID-19 and worked to minimize disruptions for students and faculty members.

He was an internationally recognized leader in physical oceanography and ocean biogeochemistry, whose work helped deepen our understanding of global ocean circulation and global carbon and nutrient cycles. His research yielded foundational insights into the ocean’s role in regulating climate, including landmark studies on ocean ventilation, the global nitrogen budget, and the strength of the biological carbon pump. His work has equipped scientists with the tools to make more accurate climate predictions—a legacy that will benefit generations to come.

Francois was a dedicated leader, researcher, mentor, colleague, and friend. He will be remembered for his excitement in sharing mathematical insights and his enthusiasm for Bayesian statistics. His smile was always warm, and his door was always open. We were all fortunate to know him and to count him among our community. We have lost one of our best.