The UB confers honorary doctorates on Harry C. Dietz and Bart L. Loeys, experts on Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes

Harry C. Dietz, professor at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University (United States), noted the UB’s welcome “into its academic family” was a privilege he would “cherish forever”. He also highlighted Gustavo Egea’s scientific work in vascular biology, since it has “illuminated fundamental processes that govern the mechanical properties and structural integrity of the arterial wall”.

“I could not be more proud to share this stage with Bart today”, Dietz stated. About Loeys, he said that “his dedication to unravelling the complexities of genetic disorders, particularly those affecting the vasculature, has transformed our understanding of these devastating diseases and has directly informed the development and testing of unanticipated treatment strategies”. “If the greatest achievement for a teacher is to have a student outshine them, then I can confidently say that I have surpassed all expectations”, Dietz added.

He also recalled the figure of the patients: “They remind me daily that science has the strong potential to instil hope and change lives. The people I care for and care about have made me a more thoughtful scientist and a better person”.

His students have also been mentioned in the speech, they thanked them for their “curiosity, hard work and boundless potential”. “Their tendency to question everything has been a driving force in our collective pursuit of scientific truth”, he said.

In his speech, Bart L. Loeys, from the University of Antwerp (Belgium), expressed his gratitude for the award, a recognition “especially meaningful because of the deep historical and intellectual ties between Flanders and Catalonia — two regions that have long been at the crossroads of European history, commerce and scientific discovery”.

“Awarding the honorary doctorates to Professor Dietz and myself illustrates that the University of Barcelona wants to put ‘the patient’ — ‘the human being’ at the centre of scientific research” stated Loeys. “I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to the patients and families who have entrusted us with their stories, hopes and challenges”.

“Science is rarely an individual endeavour”, said Loeys, who thanked Professor Egea for his collaboration with the teams: “Successful research is the result of hard work, a bit of luck, but most importantly, it flourishes through collaboration, the exchange of ideas and the dedication of those who believe that knowledge can change lives”. After citing Professor Jules Leroy — who “instilled in me the enthusiasm for genetics” — he emphasized the decisive role of Professor Harry D. Dietz, “who initiated me into the genetic secrets of aortic aneurysm syndromes”.

“Professor Dietz and I have been fortunate to walk this journey together, driven by a shared passion for unravelling the mysteries of genetic disorders and the impact they have on connective tissue diseases”, he said. Bart L. Loeys said that this honorary doctorate is “a motivation for the future”, since “there is still much work to be done, and we remain steadfast in our mission to push the boundaries of medical genetic and improve patient care”.

After the institutional speeches, the ceremony continued with the extraordinary bachelor's degree awards for the academic year 2022-2023. Then, the rector, Joan Guàrdia, recalled in his speech that “the UB is very pleased to have Harry C. Dietz and Bart L. Loeys as brothers of our academic community. They are two people who have dedicated their lives to science, with a special interest in the clinical side, i.e. patients”.

“Both the new honorary doctorate awardees and the awarded students share many things in common. For example, they represent a model for words such as work, effort, discipline, patience, tenacity, will, interest, etc., terms that we often take to be used inappropriately. And they also represent commitments that have been acquired in the university community and that should not lose value over time”, said Guàrdia.

“Generosity and humility are essential for the university community to make this world a better place, and this also applies to young students. We must recognize those who have shown us the way”, insisted Guàrdia, who recalled the verses “Ubi sunt qui ante nosen mundo fuere?” from Gaudeamus igitur (“Without those who were before us, this path could not have been made”).

“For an institution with 575 years of history, trajectory and vitality, it is your talent that makes all this possible,” concluded the rector.

The ceremony ended with the performance of the University anthem, Gaudeamus igitur.