Lise Thiry

{{Short description|Belgian scientist (1921–2024)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

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| name = Lise Thiry

| image = Lise-THIRY.jpg

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| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|2|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Liège, Belgium

| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|1|16|1921|2|5|df=y}}

| death_place = Waterloo, Belgium

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| workplaces = Pasteur Institute

| alma_mater = University of Liège

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| main_interests = Virology

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Lise Thiry (5 February 1921 – 16 January 2024) was a Belgian scientist and politician. She has been voted one of the top 100 Belgians on a television show on the Belgian French-speaking public channel RTBF.

Early life and education

Lise Thiry was born in 1921 on 5 February in Liège. Her father was Marcel Thiry, who was a leading French poet. She was one of three female students, in 1940, who studied medicine at the University of Liège. She graduated in 1946.

Career and research

Thiry went on to research at the Pasteur Institute in Brussels. In 1951, she created a virology department. She developed a method of screening the AIDS virus (HIV).[http://www.aidsonstamps.com/thiry.htm Lise Thiry], AIDS on stamps, Retrieved 3 November 2015

In 1990, she became a senator. In 2002, whilst championing the rights of asylum seekers she wrote Conversations with the Clandestine Ones.{{cite book|author=Lise Thiry|title=Conversation avec des clandestins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wM1oAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Cerisier|isbn=978-2-87267-064-2}}

Thiry turned 100 in February 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.waterloo.be/actualites/3x100-ans-quel-evenement|title=3x100 ans: quel événement!|date=5 February 2021|language=fr|access-date=17 April 2021}} and died on 16 January 2024, at the age of 102.{{Cite web |title=La virologue belge Lise Thiry, célèbre pour ses recherches sur le sida et son engagement politique, est décédée à l'âge de 102 ans |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/la-virologue-belge-lise-thiry-celebre-pour-ses-recherches-sur-le-sida-et-son-engagement-politique-est-decedee-a-lage-de-102-ans-11316202 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Lise Thiry |url=http://www.lesfunerailles.be/fiche/65a6ab3920833/Lise+Thiry |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=lesfunérailles.be}}

Awards and honours

  • In 1990, she was voted "Woman of the Year".
  • In 2007, a 70 cent stamp featuring Thiry and the AIDS virus was created.
  • In 2001, she was given the Walloon Merit at the rank of Commander.{{Cite web|title = Lise Thiry|url = http://connaitrelawallonie.wallonie.be/fr/wallons-marquants/merite/thiry-lise|website = connaitrelawallonie.wallonie.be|accessdate = 8 November 2015}}

References

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