Tribute to Louis Pasteur: a look back at the ceremony on September 28, 2023

On Thursday September 28, the Institut Pasteur commemorated the 128th anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death. The annual staff event was led by Stewart Cole, President, with future Institut Pasteur President Yasmine Belkaïd also in attendance.

The formal ceremony was held in person to give those attending a final chance to see the symbolic place before the Roux building closes for refurbishment.
 
In view of the upcoming work, President Stewart Cole chose to look back at the establishment of the Institut Pasteur through the lens of its founder's vision, and to reflect on its wide-reaching impact in its multiple areas of expertise for more than 130 years. He pointed out that "the Institut Pasteur is internationally recognized for its research in microbiology, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and immunology," and particularly emphasized its historical expertise in vaccinology, especially at a time of "increasing interest in research into vaccinology and immunotherapy at the global level." This led him onto the future vaccinology and immunology center, one of four upcoming priorities for the Institut Pasteur in response to public health challenges.

Stewart Cole was also keen to focus on the future, thanking the Institut Pasteur's young staff members for their active involvement in campus life and their initiatives to promote environmental protection, diversity, fairness and inclusion, as well as their commitment to developing links with society, while encouraging them to "follow the example of humility, perseverance and audacity left to us by Louis Pasteur as a foundation for the future."

At the end of the ceremony, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the Institut Pasteur staff members who have passed away since September 28, 2022.

François Gardy/Institut Pasteur

Read Stewart Cole's address

Photo : Louis Pasteur. Dessin signé Paul Belmondo, vers 1970, coll. Musée Pasteur.