In memoriam: Catherine Rabouille (1962

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Catherine Rabouille, senior group leader at the Hubrecht Institute, on Thursday 7 August 2025.

Catherine was an exceptional cell biologist, who made many discoveries on the function and formation of intracellular organelles such as the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the stress granules. She began her scientific career in France and spent a decade as a postdoctoral researcher at leading institutes in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the early 2000s, Catherine joined the UMC Utrecht as a group leader before moving to the Hubrecht Institute in 2010. She was an elected EMBO member and professor at UMC Groningen.

Catherine cared deeply about creative, rigorous, and innovative science. Her sharp observations and penetrating questions commanded new reflections on projects, experiments, and institutional directions, all with the goal of improving our science and culture.

But more than that, Catherine cared for people. She was a passionate mentor to her team members, and she initiated or helped initiate many institutional programs aimed at promoting diversity, inclusivity, equity, and safety. In addition, Catherine was always making sure the people behind the scenes were not forgotten.

We will remember Catherine as an innovative scientist with a big heart for the people around her. She will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts are with her husband Adriaan, her daughters Lila and Neve, and all who loved her. We wish them strength and comfort in this difficult time.