René Chermette (October 5, 1949 – July 27, 2024)
Prof. René Chermette graduated from the National Veterinary School of Lyon, France, in 1972. He then undertook a cooperation-development mission in Ethiopia from 1972 to 1974. This experience was pivotal in both his personal and professional life, as it was in Ethiopia that he developed a deep passion for Parasitology and Mycology. Upon returning to France, he worked as an assistant to Professor Jacques Euzéby in Lyon. However, due to the lack of a permanent position, he moved to the Veterinary School of Alfort, where he remained for the entirety of his career until his retirement on October 6, 2014, the day after his 65th birthday. This academic journey enabled him to explore the full breadth of Parasitology. In 1992, he was appointed professor and became one of the founding members of the European Veterinary College of Parasitology (EVPC) in 2003.
However, René’s contribution cannot be defined by titles alone: he was, above all, an exceptional teacher who made a lasting impact on generations of students and guided the future careers of many young professionals with whom he worked. His dedication to teaching also extended to co-authoring a textbook on Parasitology and Mycology with his colleague, Professor Jean Bussiéras. Even 30 years after its publication, this textbook remains a key reference for French students and veterinarians. René also contributed significantly by participating in numerous university and post-university courses in France and abroad. Notably, he spent nearly 20 years delivering practical lessons in tropical helminthology. His teaching legacy is extraordinary, marked by the publication of 66 articles, 57 books or book chapters, the delivery of 237 conferences or presentations at professional congresses, and the supervision of 206 veterinary doctoral theses.
René had developed great skills in the field of Mycology, a discipline little valued in veterinary schools. René followed the prestigious course in Medical Mycology at the Pasteur Institute in 1986 and, at the end of his career, René benefited from national and international recognition in this field.
René was a committed member of the International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) and played a key role as a founding member of the ISHAM-Veterinary Mycology and One Health Working Group.
René’s early research focused on the study of zoophilic dermatophytes, during which he established a productive collaboration with Professor Laerte Ferreiro in Brazil. He later initiated and supported research on Malassezia yeasts, contributing to the significant revision of the Malassezia genus and the description of several new species. This work played a pivotal role in enabling the successful defense of Jacques Guillot’s PhD thesis, supervised by Eveline Guého at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. René was also involved in research on pneumocystosis, particularly in animal model testing with his colleague Bruno Polack. He followed studies that led to the description of the genetic diversity of Pneumocystis in mammals and the process of co-speciation. Toward the end of his career, René contributed to research on avian aspergillosis. Throughout his career, he maintained close ties with veterinary practitioners both in France and abroad, which enabled him to document numerous original cases of animal mycoses. His final co-authored article reported a series of original cases of penicilliosis in dogs in France.
Finally, it is important to acknowledge René’s openness to other disciplines, such as dermatology and medicine for new companion animals. When he joined the Veterinary School of Alfort, he helped organize clinical teaching within the Parasitology department. René played a key role in structuring the teaching of these disciplines and subsequently supported their independence.
René published numerous research works and contributed to various scientific projects. His final activity report from 2013 highlighted 104 research articles, 35 books or book chapters, 182 conference presentations, and 6 dissertations or reports. Additionally, René made a significant impact on the French veterinary profession, particularly through the diagnostic laboratory, where he greatly expanded the Mycology division.
In conclusion, René was an exceptional colleague and a cherished friend. He never sought the spotlight but was passionate about sharing his vast knowledge with students and collaborators. He thrived in a team environment, always fostering a spirit of collegiality. René was dedicated to helping his colleagues grow, consistently entrusting them with responsibilities and pushing them to succeed.
Bruno Polack, National veterinary school of Alfort (EnvA), Maisons-Alfort, France
Jacques Guillot, National veterinary school of Nantes (Oniris VetAgroBio), Nantes, France
