The Interdisciplinary Center for Neural Computation

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Condolence Page for Dmitry Davidov


1975-2010

I've known Dmitry for the past 7 years. We took several courses together, attended a conference together, and I even graded his assignments in a neural network course (where some of his solutions were even better than my own). But mostly I got to know him, in his facility as the programmer of our lab. He was the authority for any baffling bugs no one else could fix, and also engineered major parts of the software which we use for our experiments. Throughout my PhD, we have worked side by side for short and intense periods. On some late nights we'd go to get "dinner" at the hospital food court where he would tell me stories about growing up in Russia, or some of his worldly treks--being an avid hiker. He was always willing to help, and in some miraculous fashion managed to juggle all his responsibilities, calmly.

Dmitry was a gentle soul. He had an innocent smile, which could easily be aroused with even slightly inappropriate humor. Other lab members already mentioned his bringing flowers to the women in the lab on Women's day every year, and baking us elaborate cakes on a whim. Something that never crossed the mind of most of us, came naturally to him.

In addition to helping in our lab, in his own research he had a long series of academic successes. I remember hearing his first lecture, and being surprised that behind his accent and unusually colorful slides his eyes showed the brilliance of someone who knows what he's talking about.

Smart, successful, and a good heart. He'll be missed.

I am just back from ACL where one of the Israelis told me about this condolence page.

Dmitry was due to start a postdoc in our group in the University of Cambridge in October. I felt so lucky to have found someone like him: not only he had the exact research profile I was hoping for (a true expert in unsupervised methods with a keen interest in computational semantics), but his achievements were truly exceptional for a PhD student: he had several front line publications in the best conferences of the field.
Even more delightful, he was such a lovely person... The few times we met I really enjoyed our discussions.

Just days before Dmitry passed away he wrote me an enthusiastic email about his ideas for research. I thought To myself that I want to give him total research freedom in Cambridge. This is really what the best of scientists deserve. It is such a shame that he never got the chance to even start his postdoc. He had such a bright future ahead of him.

At ACL this week, Dmitry was due to present yet another paper of his. Sadly he couldn't be there, but Oren Tsur did an excellet job presenting the paper for him. It was hard to listen to his talk, and I am sure it was even harder for Oren to give that talk.

It is such a loss to the scientific community that Dmitry is gone. My thoughts go to his family, friends, colleagues and supervisors at HUJI.

Dmitry and I first met on one of the ACL conferences.
We used to work on the same research problems and we have always discussed with great passion and enthusiasm our ideas. I have always admired his work and I enjoy reading his papers.
He was always very kind, helpful and cheerful. I will miss him.

I first met Dmitry at the Technion during our undergraduate studies in computer science. At that time I knew him only as a smart guy that had good potential for boosting the grades of those lucky enough to partner with him in submitting home work.

We met again at the ICNC after Dmitry finished is M.Sc. studies. When Dmitry expressed interest in working part-time at Eilon's lab I was more than happy to let him lead the development of the software that was the engine that enabled our brain-computer-interface experiments (my PhD topic). Dmitry handled this software development task with great expertise and more importantly, with dedication, enthusiasm, high work ethics and an attitude that this is certainly a doable project (of which I, personally had some doubts at times).

Dmitry told me very little of his own research work and other tasks but I know that during this time he made great advances in his own research as well as TAing some very demanding courses. Nevertheless he seemed to have no trouble exceeding expectations in all fronts while multi-tasking on over-time.

But as much as I appreciated Dmitry's help, I found his sense of humor, kindness and general attitude very special and I will sorely miss him.

I worked with Dmitry for 4 years at the Technion, where he conducted his M.Sc. research under my supervision. I loved working with Dmitry.
He was an extremely talented researcher, capable of doing independent innovative research. At the same time he was very kind and modest. I was very sorry when he decided to move to HU to do his Ph.D. there, but knew it was the right decision for him, as he was very interested in the interdisciplinary program. I followed his research since and found it innovative and insightful.
I will always miss him.

Every time I was about to listen to Dmitry present some bit of science, whether his or not, I knew I was about to experience magic. He had a mix of serious and fun, of clarity of thought and of humor. And, of course, he was a superb scientist. I will greatly miss him.

It is indeed a big and painful loss of such a good and talented person. Dmitry was very gifted and smart and yet without pretensions. Never boasted of his achievements and was readily helpful, quiet and yet deeply sensitive and caring. He was the only one who remembered every year that it was "Women's Day" and had something for all the girls in the lab. We would always see him with his shy and kind smile, never upset nor angry at anything or anyone.

I fondly remember celebrating his last birthday and he brought for us his birthday cake and yummy cookies that he himself baked. And of course, the cake that he prepared for my farewell party!

Indeed, though quite short, we have been blessed with his friendship! I have an article that is soon to be published wherein I have acknowledged his valuable help in my research work. THANK YOU, DMITRY!

I am praying for the repose of his soul and also for the comforting of his family.

Dmitry was a great guy, and a real professional when we were TAing OOP. He was always there to help anyone who needed him, and always knew how to solve any problem.
He will be missed.

The Interdisciplinary Center for Neural Computation

Mourns the passing of its dedicated member

Dmitry Davidov

of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

I'm a PhD student in the Vaadia lab, and Dimitry worked in our lab as a programmer. I will let the "big" professors to tell how amazingly smart he was, and instead I'll share with you a short story: Every year, in the international women's day, Dimitry gathered all women from our department. He brought a cake that he especially baked, and gave a rose to each of us.
This is just a small example of his generosity, warm heart, and sensitivity, that were apparent in everything he did. He did things without making a big fuss. Doing and helping, in his quiet ways and with all his heart.
Yehi zichro baruch

I have met Dmitry only briefly, when he gave a talk about his PhD at the annual meeting of the ICNC in Ein-Gedi.
But Dmitry's talk is still vivid in my memory. It was so impressive.
Conceptually novel, elegant, and effective and - presented which such grace and clarity.
It was not only theoretically illuminating. It was fun to listen to;a rare event.
I am so shocked by this tragedy.

I recall being first approached by Dmitry a few years ago, when he asked to meet with me and tell about his work in computational linguistics. Being a theoretical linguist who had never worked with computational linguists, I was intrigued and I thoroghly enjoyed my meeting with him. I subsequently joined the Escort team for his PhD thesis and met with him only a few times to discuss his work. Each meeting was illuminating for me and an opportunity for fruitful exchange of ideas.
I met him only two or three weeks ago to deal with a technical matter concerning the submission of his thesis, and was impressed by his vitality, by how enthusiastic he was with this plans for a post doc.
I join the entire community in mourning this terrible loss.
Yehi zichro baruch.