The Innovation and Sports Campus (CIS) at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) hosted an emotionally charged ceremony to mark the naming of the Pathogen Laboratory, now officially designated the Prof. Dolla Karam Sarkis Laboratory of Pathogens.
Mrs. Cynthia-Maria Ghobril Andrea, Director of Fondation USJ, opened the ceremony by welcoming the family and close friends of Prof. Dolla Karam Sarkis. She expressed her honor in hosting this moment of remembrance and recognition, bringing together her husband, daughters, siblings, members of the USJ administration, and colleagues to celebrate her life, work, and enduring impact.
Prof. Marianne Abi Fadel, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, delivered an emotional address, underscoring the profound void left by Dolla Karam Sarkis’s untimely passing. She spoke of Dolla’s continued presence among those gathered, reflected especially in the eyes of her daughters, of whom she was deeply proud. “With passion,” she noted, “Dolla designed her laboratory, which now bears her name, a place where her laughter, energy, and spirit will continue to resonate.” Prof. Abi Fadel reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to continuing the research projects initiated by Dolla, including her students’ theses, ensuring they proceed with the same rigor and dedication she exemplified.
She further explained that the laboratory envisioned as a hub for diagnostics and microbiology research also integrates microbiological quality control, particularly in food and water safety. Prof. Abi Fadel highlighted three major research axes initiated by Dolla: the study of microbiota and related pathologies; the role of antimicrobial peptides in combating resistant pulmonary bacterial infections; and the investigation of multidrug-resistant bacteria in humans and the environment within the One Health framework. These projects continue in collaboration with French co-supervisors, with the Faculty reaffirming its determination to support students through to the completion of their research.
Prof. Abi Fadel concluded by honoring Dolla Karam Sarkis as a woman driven by an unwavering passion for research and life: “No challenge was too great, no obstacle too high to restrain your ambition and relentless pursuit of progress. You faced every endeavor with courage and intensity, embracing life fully and cherishing the bonds you shared with family and friends. Even in the most difficult moments, you stood strong, guided by determination and hope.”
Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the significance of this tribute to a leading figure of USJ and the Lebanese scientific community. He described the naming of the laboratory as a powerful act of recognition and a celebration of the scientific excellence Dolla embodied. He highlighted her steadfast commitment to teaching and research in microbiology, a field with direct implications for public health. “Her pioneering work opened new paths toward more effective treatments for infectious diseases and contributed to the training of a new generation of researchers, thereby strengthening USJ’s scientific legacy,” he stated.
Prof. Daccache also recalled Dolla Karam Sarkis’s role as Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, where she actively promoted research, fostered international collaborations, and co-founded, alongside Prof. Khalil Helou, the Department of Nutrition, which has since trained numerous specialists. He expressed his gratitude to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Fondation USJ for bringing this project to fruition and voiced his hope that the laboratory would serve as a space of inspiration, research, and innovation, contributing to the advancement of healthcare and the education of future generations.
Dr. Antoine Sarkis concluded the ceremony by expressing his deep gratitude to USJ for commemorating his wife’s legacy. He noted that while family was always at the heart of Dolla’s life, her contributions to the Faculty of Pharmacy, her role within the Vice-Rectorate, and particularly her work in this laboratory, were equally vital to her sense of purpose. “Dolla shared an almost maternal bond with the Laboratory of Research in Fundamental and Clinical Microbiology,” he said. “Her absence leaves a profound void, both at home and at the University. Naming this laboratory in her honor ensures that her memory will endure.” He also highlighted USJ’s commitment to continuing Dolla’s research initiatives through scholarships and the establishment of the Dolla Karam Sarkis Foundation, noting that the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie has dedicated three annual scholarships in her name.
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