Paris, December 12, 2025 - The auditorium of the Institut Pasteur was buzzing with excitement for the 12th PhD Graduation Ceremony honoring the doctoral students of the Institut and the Pasteur Network. Fifty-seven new PhD graduates, who defended their theses between December 2024 and 2025, received their certificates in an atmosphere blending scientific achievement and celebration.
An International Class of Excellence
Monica Sala, Vice-President for Education at the Institut Pasteur, opened the ceremony by paying tribute to these young researchers: “Your scientific dedication deserves even more hope and gratitude today”, she said, echoing the current challenges facing research.
The ceremony brought together:
These graduates have been part of a vibrant community on the parisian campus. Across all years, there are 360 PhD students, representing 25% of the scientists at the Institut Pasteur. Coming from the institute’s partner universities (Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, Université PSL), these young talents embody scientific excellence and Pasteurian values.
Discover all the photos of the graduates here
Life as a Doctoral Student at the Institut Pasteur
Monica also highlighted one of the essential pillars of the doctoral journey: the Doctoral Student Office. Meanwhile, Remigiusz Walocha, President of STAPA (Young Researcher Association), presented the association’s activities.
A true administrative and personal support system for every thesis, the Doctoral Student Office accompanies PhD students throughout their journey, combining administrative guidance, international programs (PPU), and mentoring, from their arrival at the institute to the ceremony held in their honor.
STAPA, for its part, fosters energy and networking among young researchers on campus. Activities such as the retreat in Athens, the conference in Cambridge, and the Friday social hour embody the vibrant and supportive scientific life that young scientists build together. “We create networks and growth opportunities among young researchers” sums up Remigiusz.
Professor Miriam Merad, Guest of Honor 2025
Clarisabel Garcia Rodriguez, a PhD graduate from the Macrophages and Endothelial Cells Unit, introduced the guest of honor, Professor Miriam Merad, Director of the Precision Immunology Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York). A pioneer in precision immunology and a world expert on macrophages, Professor Merad captivated the audience by sharing her exceptional journey and answering questions from the doctoral students.
“The path in science is rarely linear, rarely predictable, almost never comfortable, but always meaningful,” she said, adding: “The qualities that guide us: resilience, curiosity, generosity, and the determination to move forward, even when uncertain.”
Her call for perseverance and scientific impact resonated with everyone: “Nurture your curiosity, for it is curiosity that drives scientific revolutions. I look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the next 30 years!”
A Dynamic and Inspiring Program
The ceremony alternated between prestigious speeches, musical interludes, and sharing experiences from graduates, punctuating each moment with emotion and celebration.
Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network, introduced 4 young talents attending the ceremony, representing this international network of more than 30 institutes. Each shared their respective experiences at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (Greece), the Institut Pasteur de Bangui (Central African Republic), Fiocruz (Brazil), and the Institut Pasteur du Maroc (Morocco).
Cecilia Patitucci, Head of International Doctoral Programs at the Institut Pasteur, then presented the Institute’s flagship program, the PPU (Pasteur-Paris University), a highly selective program attracting exceptional young scientists worldwide. 9 of these students were present at the ceremony.
To energize the event, the musical groups Lady Pipette, the colorful fanfare Les Enragés and From Far Away delighted the audience, perfectly embodying the Institut’s creative and collaborative spirit. Throughout the ceremony, volunteer doctoral students had the opportunity to present glimpses of their journey, inspiring their peers and highlighting the breadth of work conducted at the Institut.
Warm Thanks and Closure of the Ceremony
Monica Sala thanked all the teams who make this event a success each year:
- Vincenzo Di Bartolo and his team (Leonardo Alvarez, Estelle Le Vaguerese, Sarah Michel-Anfray, Marie-Camille Klaiss Luna, Jasmine Ostermayer, Marine Oberkampf, Valérie Lorin), who have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the year.
- Adrien Schramm for his invaluable support each year, and Alexandra Corneyllie for providing the music that set the rhythm of the event
- The Department of International Affairs and the Department of Communications for their essential collaboration
- STAPA as a key partner in organizing the celebration and the dance portion
- The doctoral students themselves, who contribute so much to the Institut Pasteur and research
To close a day where science, music, and emotion celebrated the future stars of global research, Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, shared a heartfelt message for the future: “And now it is your turn. Now that you are doctors of this great Institut Pasteur family, it is your turn to pass on knowledge, with kindness, generosity, and to continue the work we do here. Everything we do is for the future.”
Looking Ahead to 2026 with a Nobel Laureate
The 13th edition concluded with a cocktail and an invitation: see you on December 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM with John M. Jumper, 2024 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry for his work on protein structure prediction at Google DeepMind.
Photo credits: Thomas Lang
For more information: ipgraduation@pasteur.fr