Ukraine: a look back at the Institut Pasteur's commitment to solidarity in research

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Institut Pasteur showed strong support for the Ukrainian people and scientific community, taking several measures at the very beginning of the conflict to help Ukraine's researchers and wider population. Starting in March 2022, a collection of essential supplies was organized on campus in conjunction with the mairie (town hall) in Paris' 15th arrondissement, and the Institut Pasteur opened its doors to several Ukrainian scientists. The commitment of the Institut Pasteur in this respect was emphasized and commended by Stewart Cole at the general staff meeting on July 4, and he thanked each and every Institut Pasteur staff member for their contribution.

Several Ukrainian scientists have been hosted in the Institut Pasteur's research laboratories since the start of the conflict. These include Kateryna Dotsenko, a Ukrainian scientist who fled her country and was able to come and work at the Institut Pasteur under the PAUSE program.

France's national PAUSE program, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), protects and accommodates researchers and artists who are no longer able to exercise their profession in their home country for reasons such as war, political persecution and censure. The program provides for them to be hosted for lengthy periods so that they can integrate into their new environment, pursue their work and protect their families.

Kateryna, now a scientist at the Institut Pasteur in the Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions Unit, shared her story in a video presenting the PAUSE program that was broadcast on June 20 by the MESR to mark World Refugee Day.

See the video