We were saddened to hear of Usha's passing. She was a bright spirit whose kindness shone through every encounter we had with her. She was particularly solicitous of Frank when she learned of his Parkinson's diagnosis. We didn't see her often, but she was a vital presence on campus and in so many people's lives. She will be missed. Our heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and colleagues.

It is such a privilege to be able to say that Usha and I were friends. We were introduced to each other in 2011 by mutual friends Mariam and Arthur Canter. When Usha and I met it was as if we had already known each other for a long time. We helped each other through the next several years during the illnesses of each of our mothers. And we gave each other invaluable emotional support when they died. We were not often together, but we made the most of it when we were. We spent many, many hours on the phone and emailing each other.

The Usha I knew loved to laugh. She and my husband shared the same off beat sense of humor. He had a running joke with her about finding Higgs bosuns under her bed. The Usha I knew loved a good detective, spy novel. Fun, escapist novels by the likes of Robert Ludlum and Dick Francis. Who would have expected that! The Usha I knew liked her vodka martinis. I have a half empty bottle of Absolut in my liquor cabinet with her name on it. The Usha I knew spoke often of her many friends and her fondness for her post docs. My heart goes out to all, to her brother and sister-in-law. I do not have a scientific background, do not understand her work, but recognize that her genius truly helped to change the perception of the world as we know it. My nickname for her was Usha-Stein.

I enjoyed my years working with Usha on faculty senate activities. She had such a welcoming personality and conversations with her always left my feeling happier and optimistic. She would often prod me to pull up new photos of my young son on my phone so she could see how he was growing up. She was such a brilliant scientist, a kind soul, and this is an immeasurable loss. My deepest condolences to Usha's colleagues and family (and her extended academic family).

Professor Usha Mallik is the kindest advisor who led me into the field of experimental particle physics. Her experience guided me through the survival period in a grand setting of international competitions and collaborations. Her patience and knowledge transformed me from a dreamer to a worker, eventually to a Ph.D researcher. She is also a genuine friend of my life time. May her soul rest in peace.

Ph.D. student (1988-1993) Min-Zu Wang

Usha was a fiercely, independent woman - - an exceptional scholar and teacher and an invaluable member of the University of Iowa community. To some of us, more importantly, she was a steadfast friend. When I was heavily involved in faculty governance, I could always count on Usha to give me her unvarnished opinion on whether I was right or wrong. When I was right, I could always count on her support when it was most needed. She will be sorely missed.

Richard Fumerton