Yasmine Belkaid, Doctor honoris causa from the University of Liège

The University of Liège welcomed internationally renowned immunologist Prof. Yasmine Belkaid, Director General of the Institut Pasteur, to present her with the insignia of Honorary Doctor. At a ceremony presided over by Rectrice Anne-Sophie Nyssen, she gave a lecture to an audience of over 300. The following day, she exchanged ideas with virologists and immunologists at ULiège.

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n November 17, 2025, ULiège welcomed Prof. Yasmine Belkaid, Director General of the Institut Pasteur in Paris, an internationally renowned immunologist specializing in the study of interactions between microbes and the immune system. She received the insignia of honorary doctor of ULiège from Rector Anne-Sophie Nyssen, before delivering a lecture entitled " Control of host physiology by the microbiota ".

Yasmine Belkaid highlighted that the skin microbiota, although sparse, has a strong influence on immunity, activating lymphocytes that drive tissue repair and nerve regeneration. She outlined possible therapeutic avenues and stressed the importance of team research.

" Science is an extraordinary community: people from all over the world, people who think differently, who confront each other. Our differences are our strengths. I've always loved being challenged by brilliant students from all over the world, who see things differently, and by researchers from physics, mathematics. It's extraordinary to have this 'world' of sharing ideas ".

She concluded her speech by evoking the situation in the United States : " What is happening there is something that cannot happen in Europe. We have to fight collectively, across our universities and with our decision-makers, to ensure this never happens (...) I spent 30 years in the United States and I could never have foreseen what has happened in the span of 10 months. This university, all of us, must be guardians. We have to fight and be extremely vigilant, this is a moment we can't be silent. "

This is the first of three major university lectures scheduled for the 2025-2026 academic year, under the theme "Critical spirit, audacity, resistance".

The new ULiège honorary doctor was introduced by Thomas Marichal, veterinary surgeon, Professor Ordinaire in Animal Physiology and Director of the Immunophysiology Laboratory (GIGA). His research in immunology and immunophysiology explores the regulation of immune responses. Thomas Marichal is also a WELBIO investigator and winner of an ERC Starting Grant.

Replay of the conference (in French)

Lecture by Prof. Yasmine Belkaid "Control of host physiology by the microbiota"

By Prof. Yasmine Belkaid, Phd, internationally renowned immunologist, Director General of the Institut Pasteur, Honorary Doctor of ULiège 2025, as part of the Grandes conférences universitaires de l'ULiège.

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