Legion of Honor award ceremony for Stewart Cole

Yesterday, Thursday May 23, at the invitation of Yves Saint-Geours, Chairman of Institut Pasteur's Board of Governors, a Legion of Honor award ceremony was held for Stewart Cole, former President of the Institut Pasteur, who was promoted to the rank of Officier of the Legion of Honor for the December 2023 promotion (BIP January 12).

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, opened the ceremony with an engaging speech tracing the life's journey and the committed, combative scientific path that led the former President from his native British Isle to the Institut Pasteur. A journey that led the two researchers on a common path, from the 1980s onwards, in the fight against pathogens, and in particular HIV. This battle, which has now lasted for several decades, has led them to "share the same ideas and the same values".

After recalling the major milestones in Stewart Cole's career, which make him truly "one of Louis Pasteur's disciples", Françoise Barré-Sinoussi officially presented him with the insignia of Officier of the Légion of Honnor for all his actions and services to society.

Surrounded by members of his family, former colleagues and friends, and in the presence of Yasmine Belkaid and members of the Senior Management Board, Stewart Cole then gave a speech outlining his motivation as a man and as a scientist to serve research and advance human health. He thanked all those who had helped him in his missions.

Photos : François Gardy/Institut Pasteur