Dr. Susan Armstrong Henry, a distinguished molecular biologist, pioneering geneticist, and visionary academic leader, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 79. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable career dedicated to groundbreaking research in yeast genetics and lipid metabolism, as well as the stewardship of higher education at several premier institutions. Dr. Henry leaves behind a profound legacy of scientific discovery, educational leadership, and dedicated mentorship that shaped countless lives and advanced the field of molecular biology.

Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Dr. Henry's early life was influenced by international travel due to her father's career in the Foreign Service, including cherished years spent in Norway. She pursued her academic passions at the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1968. She then continued her advanced studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her Ph.D. in Genetics in 1971.

Following postdoctoral research at Brandeis University, Dr. Henry embarked on her faculty career at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1972, where she rose to the rank of Professor. Her research focused on the genetic regulation of lipid metabolism in yeast, a field in which she became a recognized pioneer. Her transition into institutional leadership began at Carnegie Mellon University, where she served as Head of Biological Sciences and later as Dean of the Mellon College of Science.

In 2000, Dr. Henry was appointed the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University, a position she held until 2010. During her tenure, she was also a Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, guiding the college through a decade of significant growth and innovation. She remained an integral part of the Cornell community as Dean Emerita until her retirement in 2020.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Henry's contributions to molecular biology were widely recognized. She was elected as a Fellow of both the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2013, she received the prestigious Alice H. Cook and Constance E. Cook Award from Cornell University, as well as the Avanti Award for Lipids.

Perhaps one of Dr. Henry's most enduring contributions was her dedicated mentorship of numerous Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows. She took immense pride in their independent successes, fostering a global generation of researchers who continue to advance the study of lipid metabolism. Dr. Henry is survived by her brother, David Armstrong; her daughter, Rebecca Alice Henry, and her husband Chris Schafer; her son, Joshua Armstrong Henry, and his wife Cheryl Deane; and her four grandchildren, Fiona, Liam, Minerva, and Pearl.