Franco-Moroccan, female, young, Samira Fafi-Kremer did not have a clear career ahead of her. But the virologist’s innate strength, will and curiosity have made her a respected and rewarded scientific monument. She was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic in 2021 and then entered the 2023 Forbes ranking of 40 women. A success that she shares today, passing on her values to a new generation of scientists, especially women from his country of origin.
An article in Inserm Magazine No. 59
When Samira Fafi-Kremer arrived in France at the age of 18, she remembers: “ Back then, going abroad alone for a long period of time to study was complicated on all levels. Nevertheless, I stuck with it and am very proud that I succeeded. » Encouraged and supported by her parents, who remained in Meknes in Morocco, the young woman moved to Grenoble to study pharmacy and ” Decoding drug compositions “. His interest in microbiology arose through an internship that exposed him to the hospital world. One thing led to another and she discovered medical virology and applied research.
Excited about this aspect of her field, she says: “ Towards the end of my internship, I took a course on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which I found fascinating. The professor suggested that I write a scientific thesis on this topic. Over the course of my work, I literally fell in love with this virus. » Samira Fafi-Kremer is happy to take on the clinical aspects of her research and accompanies the patients in her study for a year. In 2001 she obtained a State Doctorate in Pharmacy and a Diploma in Specialized Pharmacy Studies in Research and Medical Biology, followed by a scientific dissertation at the University of Grenoble in 2005. In October 2005 she moved to Strasbourg, where she adapts her activity -site studies. From EBV we move on to the hepatitis C virus, with particular interest in antibody and the organ transplant recipients who will accompany them throughout their careers. “ It’s equally rewarding how difficult it is to switch from one virus to anotherdescribes Samira Fafi-Kremer. Once you start to understand one well, switching to another presents some challenges. Maybe my only regret is that I can’t continue to study EBV, my first passion for viruses, but life decided otherwise. »
A single credo: optimism
In 2013, a new type of treatment for hepatitis C was developed, forcing the researcher to explore new avenues. “ I had to start from scratch, find funding and a new work topic, accompanied only by a Master 2 student. We had extremely difficult times, especially as a woman, young, at the beginning of my career, we doubted a lotShe remembers. It was a real challenge. But I rushed forward with passion, without thinking in advance about the difficulties I might encounter, with only one credo: optimism. »
Then Samira Fafi-Kremer delves into the world of a little-researched but very widespread virus, the BK virus, which owes its name to the initials of the first patient in whom it was identified. The virus is dormant in more than 90% of the total population and tends to reactivate when immunity is reduced. Its pathogenic power is particularly evident in kidney transplant recipients, whom the researcher knows well. Everything had to be done, she remembers. “ It was unclear who was really at risk of severe BK virus infection and how to prevent or treat infection once it occurred. I was lucky. My hospital work and my proximity to nephrologists allowed me to examine transplant patients in real life. The problems encountered represented an inexhaustible source of research ideas: the first was aimed at finding a marker that could be used to identify patients at risk. » From discovery to discovery, Samira Fafi-Kremer’s team grows, grows and thrives. She received numerous grants, including one from the National Research Agency, to develop an antiviral treatment with Pascal Poignard’s Grenoble team, for which they are now awaiting patent approval.
At the same time, the virologist and her team were on the front line in the fight against Covid-19 at the beginning of 2020. Alsace is one of the first regions of France to be affected by the pandemic and its laboratory is being sent to the front lines. “ As head of the virology department, I had to reorganize everything with my team to set up the hospital testing platform for the entire Alsace », remembers the researcher. But even in times of crisis, Samira Fafi-Kremer does not forget her love for viruses and medical discoveries. With the support of her colleagues, she is pushing for the establishment of a clinical project that follows infected patients and studies their humoral response, i.e. adaptive immunity through the production of antibodies. In collaboration with the Pasteur Institute, it demonstrates this in particular Women are immune to the new coronavirus longer than men. She says : ” For a virologist, studying a virus in real time at the very beginning of its discovery is a rare and exciting opportunity. In books we learn about and understand other viruses. We made discoveries there every day. It was exciting. »
Inspire, beyond borders
After 23 years of service in healthcare, Samira Fafi-Kremer was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic in December 2020. “ It was an unforgettable momentdescribes her. I was surrounded by all my loved ones and colleagues, everyone who helped and supported me. For a foreign researcher, receiving France’s highest honor represents enormous pride, a consecration for my career and a role model that I hope will inspire beyond borders. » The scientist would like to set this example. She is particularly involved in promoting women in research in her country of origin through collaborations and interventions within the international network of medical and scientific competencies of Moroccans around the world. “ It is important to encourage womenshe expresses loud and clear. You can do anything: have a long career, have children and take on great responsibility. But you have to believe in yourself and stay optimistic! Our Moroccan culture is an invaluable wealth that we must be proud of. But beyond our background and gender, we can get there if we hold on to our dreams and persevere. » The American magazine Forbes hears this message and includes Samira Fafi-Kremer in the ranking of the 40 women who shaped the year 2023, a new source of inspiration for future generations of researchers.
Samira Fafi-Kremer is a researcher in the Department of Immunology and Molecular Rheumatology (Unit 1119 Inserm/University of Strasbourg) at the University of Strasbourg Research Center for Biomedicine Strasbourg.
Author: MR
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