Lena Kourkoutis, associate professor of applied and engineering physics in Cornell Engineering, passed unexpectedly. Before her untimely death in 2021, she had established herself as a powerful force in the burgeoning field of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Her innovative research techniques and general mentoring attitude created a fruitful environment for her students that will go down in the scientific community as her legacy. Two years after her death, Kourkoutis was posthumously credited as co-lead author. Her transformative paper went on to be published in Nature Methods on September 23, 2023. This press release announcement represents the end of almost ten years of work that she led and championed.
Kourkoutis aims to develop more cryogenic techniques that employ as few electrons as possible. Now, this powerful new imaging technique gets a big boost, making it even more effective for thick biomaterials. Her visionary work inspired much of the excitement and momentum we currently see in the cryo-EM community. They still excitedly awaited the results of her pioneering research.
A Sudden Loss and Lasting Influence
As Lena Kourkoutis learned with an unexpected cancer diagnosis in 2021, the course can change dramatically. David Muller, a colleague and friend, recounted the abruptness of her decline: “It was on Friday, and on Monday she was in hospice.” Her death shook her friends and colleagues, and she leaves behind a community that felt like nothing could take her away.
We might have lost Kourkoutis to cancer, but her imprint on science lives on. Muller was highly aware of the irony of her predicament. Her work was finally acknowledged, but it had come too late for her to enjoy the fruits of her labor. “Things were starting to work experimentally. It was this thing she’d worked on for many years,” he said. The academic community had been on the edge of their seats, waiting for her to drop the momentous news of what she’d discovered.
“And at the point where it was getting the recognition, it was just a little too late for her.” – David Muller
Kourkoutis’ legacy is further amplified through the ongoing success of her students. One student, Yue Yu, recently completed his Ph.D. under Kourkoutis’ supervision. She spoke passionately about how crucial Kourkoutis’ mentorship was throughout her journey. “The tcBF-STEM project ended up spanning my entire Ph.D. and beyond, and throughout it all, Lena showed nothing but absolute encouragement,” Yu stated.
Innovations in Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Kourkoutis’ developments in cryo-EM mark a new phase in imaging technology for the biological sciences. Her pioneering reductionist techniques that use fewer electrons have upended the field’s capacities to visualize bulk biological substrates at subatomic resolution never seen before. This achievement tackles decades-old hurdles in the field, equipping researchers with tools to explore complex cellular architecture.
Muller was excited to explain just how important Kourkoutis’ innovations in cryo-EM are. “STEM is traditionally very inefficient and only uses about one in 100 of the transmitted electrons,” he explained. These innovations enable Kourkoutis’ techniques to undergo a revolutionary shift in the current imaging landscape. They hold the potential to increase efficiency and accelerate breakthroughs across a variety of biological research.
Her practice, however technical, is deeply collaborative as well. Kourkoutis worked closely with students such as Yu to push boundaries and branch out into new frontiers and disciplines. She would sit with Yu to engage with these texts again and again, creating spaces for critical thinking, imagination, and excitement. Their shared experiences came to a peak when they initially saw apoferritin in the tcBF-STEM project.
“Lena was both a brilliant scientist and a mentor who fully supported her students to grow.” – Yue Yu
Commemorating a Brilliant Mind
That recent publication in Nature Methods is just one reflection of Kourkoutis’ long-lasting impact on the scientific community. The corresponding article, released under the DOI 10.1038/s41592-025-02834-9, is a testament to her pioneering work that has sparked current research efforts in cryo-EM. Although Kourkoutis cannot be here in person, her vision continues to ignite spirited conversations. Her major intellectual contributions continue to shape progress in the field.
Beyond her technical accomplishments, Kourkoutis is survived by the long-lasting connections she built with her students and peers. Her nurturing touch made all the difference in helping so many of them find their footing on rocky, complex academic terrain. David Muller emphasized this sentiment when he stated, “I would not be the scientist I am today without her.”
Kourkoutis’ legacy will no doubt continue to impact generations of scientists who are inspired by her commitment, creativity, and love for discovery. She epitomized a culture of creativity and encouragement that won’t be easy to reproduce, but is critically important to continue building on.