In memoriam - Charles Boucher

The ESAR community is deeply saddened by the passing of our Chair Professor Charles Boucher, clinical virologist, scientist, and key opinion leader.

Charles was an original thinker with magnetic charisma and a great sense of humor.

He strongly believed in European collaboration and was an inspirator and mentor for many young clinicians and scientists.

After obtaining his medical degree and Ph.D. on the mechanisms of NRTI resistance of HIV in the Amsterdam Medical Center, he moved to the University Medical Center Utrecht. Here Charles worked on the prevention of transmission of drug resistant HIV and the effect of resistance on viral fitness. Here is where he met his wife, Ireen.

In more recent years he was employed by the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam and focused on research and education. He was currently working on integrase resistance and HIV eradication.

Furthermore, he developed as a global educator in his function of scientific director at Virology Education.

He loved a vivid debate, an excellent glass of wine, and reading good books.

He preferred traveling the world above all-day regular events but kept the best memories of camping trips with his 5 children.