The MIP community deeply mourns the passing of Lena F. Kourkoutis (1979–2023), a pioneering electron microscopist and long-time collaborator within PARADIM. Kourkoutis, who earned her M.S. in 2006 and Ph.D. in 2009 from Cornell University, was a central figure in advancing the capabilities of cryogenic and atomic-resolution microscopy. Her work enabled groundbreaking research across multiple disciplines, including materials science, condensed matter physics, and biology.

As a faculty member at Cornell and key contributor to the PARADIM Electron Microscopy facility, Kourkoutis played an integral role in mentoring emerging scientists and driving innovation in instrumentation and technique. Her impact was recognized not only through her scientific achievements but also through the high esteem of her colleagues. “Lena is among the persons I think of first when I speak of our faculty's commitment to excellence in all aspects of their work,” said Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering at Cornell.

We join PARADIM and the broader scientific community in remembering Dr. Kourkoutis’s legacy.