Didier Raoult is a French microbiologist and infectious disease specialist known for his research on viruses and bacteria. He is the director of the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection in Marseille, where he has focused on studying emerging infectious diseases and the role of antibiotics. Raoult gained international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for advocating the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment. His views sparked significant debate within the scientific community, leading to discussions about the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need for rigorous clinical trials.