Françoise Barré-Sinoussi

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (born July 30, 1947) is a French virologist internationally recognized for her crucial role in the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. In 1983, while working at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, she was the first to isolate the virus, a breakthrough that paved the way for major advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease. For this discovery, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2008, shared with Luc Montagnier. Beyond her scientific work, she has been a strong advocate for global cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS and for patient rights.

Quotes

• Even the smallest of insects could capture my attention for hours.
• We are not making science for science. We are making science for the benefit of humanity.
• It was really traumatic. I knew as a scientist that we will not have a treatment tomorrow because we know that science needs time to develop drugs. To see the patients dying and expecting so much from us, it was terrible.
• Like everybody, I have some times in my life when I’m pessimistic. I wonder whether I should continue… Then I go and have a trip to Africa or Southeast Asia and have a small meeting with people affected by HIV, and I forget my mood. I say, “OK, let’s go on. Let’s continue. This is real life. Don’t think about yourself.”