Researchers in the laboratory where Serge Pares worked as postdoctoral research associate before he was killed in the explosion of TWA Flight 800 on July 17 remembered the friendly disposition and dedication of their coworker in a memorial service held on campus July 23.
The 29-year-old Mr. Pares, a native of France, had spent the past year working in the laboratory of molecular biophysics and biochemistry professor Dr. Paul Sigler, where he was involved in a structural biology project exploring visual signal transductions, according to Joel Hirsch, a postdoctoral research fellow who worked closely with Mr. Pares in the laboratory and was also his friend.
Also killed in the explosion was Mr. Pares' wife, Rosaria, 27, who was studying English at the International Center of New Haven. Mrs. Pares, who worked in France as a pediatric nurse, was two months pregnant with the couple's first child.
Dr. Sigler and Mr. Hirsch organized the molecular biophysics and biochemistry department's memorial service and spoke at the event, which was also attended by the families of the victims.
"Serge was an extremely energetic worker who was very dedicated to solving this particular problem we're working on," says Mr. Hirsch. "He was also a wonderful person, always smiling. His death is a big blow to our laboratory."
Dr. Sigler, who was out of town at press time, described Mr. Pares in an Aug. 2 New Haven Register article by saying, "There are no negatives about Serge. He was very sharp and a terrific worker both scientifically and in spirit. There's a tremendous hole left in our community."
According to Mr. Hirsch, Serge and Rosaria Pares had first lived in North Haven when they arrived in the United States last September. This past spring, they rented an apartment on Whitney Avenue in New Haven. While in New Haven, Mrs. Pares was a member of the international cultural exchange group Round the World Women and was involved in Alliance Francaise, a local organization for individuals interested in French language and culture. As a participant in the International Center's International Classroom Project, she also spoke about French culture to elementary school students at the Mary T. Murphy School in Branford.
Mr. Pares came to Yale from a major research center in Grenoble and had expected to work on the campus for several years before returning to live in France, according to Mr. Hirsch.
Members of the Yale and New Haven communities also mourned the couple's death with masses or memorial services held at St. Mary's Church, St. Thomas More Chapel and the International Center of New Haven.