It was with great sadness that we learnt that our former colleague and friend Marco Grippeling was amongst the victims of the Malaysia Airlines crash.

Marco, a Melbourne-based cyber security specialist, boarded flight MH17 on his way back to Australia after spending his last days with friends and family in his home country of the Netherlands.

Marco joined CERN as a Technical Student in the PS Division in 1992. In 1994 he moved to the LHC Division as a Staff Member, leaving for more exotic horizons in 2000.

Marco will always be remembered for his enthusiasm and joie de vivre.

Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends at this time.

- His former colleagues and friends at CERN