We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Judy McKenzie on 11 August 2023.
Besides her prolific research studies focusing on past climate and environmental change
recorded in lacustrine and marine sediments, with a special focus on geomicrobiology, Judy has played a pivotal role in different phases of the international ocean drilling programmes (DSDP, ODP, IODP). She has been involved in ODP Expedition 107 “Tyrrhenian Sea” as a sailing scientist and in ODP Expedition 133 “Northeast Australian Margin” as Co-chief Scientist. Judy was instrumental in promoting Swiss participation in different phases of the international ocean drilling programmes. She has been deeply involved in the creation of ECORD two decades ago and its development by serving as ESSAC Delegate for ten years and promoting ocean drilling to the next generations of scientists as ECORD Distinguished Lecturer.
The international scientific community will greatly miss Judy’s bright personality, rich character and unwaning enthusiasm. She will remain a model for students and early-career scientists and her memory will not fade away in our hearts and memories.
Gilbert Camoin (Director of the ECORD Managing Agency), Angelo Camerlenghi (Chair of ESSAC), Martina Kern (Swiss ECORD Council Member), Gretchen Früh-Green (Swiss ESSAC Member)