It is with much regret that we share the sad news that Prof. Armen Trchounian, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology at Yerevan State University (Yerevan, Armenia), passed away on 18 November 2020, aged 64 years, in the context of a COVID-19 infection. With him, the FEMS community loses a highly competent scientist and an always constructive and friendly ambassador of his beloved home country Armenia.

Prof. Armen, was a highly respected representative of his country in many international organizations, including FEMS where he served for many years as a delegate and more recently as a member of the Election Committee. He was also an internationally highly respected scientist and science communicator who represented his country perfectly in the FEMS community and beyond.

Our sympathy is with his wife Anait and son Dr Karen Trchounian, who continues Armen’s scientific legacy at Yerevan State University, where he is Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Read a short biography of Prof. Armen Trchounian in FEMS Microbiology Letters.