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Global Health Matters

July - August, 2007  |  Volume 6, Issue 4

Fogarty's Director Receives Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award

Fogarty International Center Director Dr. Roger I. Glass is the recipient of the prestigious Charles C. Shepard Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award, in recognition of his 30-year career of scientific research application and leadership.

During a ceremony held at the CDC in Atlanta, Chief Science Officer Dr. Tanja Popovic presented the award and summarized Dr. Glass’s accomplishments.

 Fogarty Director
 Dr. Roger I. Glass

"Distinguished as one the world’s foremost experts in viral gastroenteritis , Dr. Roger I. Glass’s accomplishments in rotavirus and norovirus research have made him an internationally recognized expert and have vastly increased recognition and prevention efforts for these viruses worldwide,” according to the award’s citation. “He challenged the assumption that rotavirus diarrhea was not a major problem among U.S. children—which played a motivating role in development of rotavirus vaccines for children in developing countries and the U.S.”

Dr. Glass and his team developed molecular assays to detect and sequence the agent norovirus, which has been identified in more than 1,000 outbreaks since 1986. He has trained or mentored scientists from more than 30 countries, has authored over 500 publications and has been recognized by numerous professional societies. Dr. Glass has conducted field studies in India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Russia, Vietnam, China and elsewhere. His work has shaped major public health interventions that continue to impact prevention of rotovirus deaths in developed and developing countries.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this wonderful recognition from my peers at CDC,” said Dr. Glass. “In reality, the award should go to the dozens of medical officers, visiting scientists, post-docs and colleagues whose collective efforts have helped the prevention of diarrhea at home and abroad through the use of vaccines. However, this effort is not yet over and will only be successful when we can measure the impact of these vaccines in terms of lives saved and hospitalizations averted,” he added. “I am incredibly proud to be associated with this wonderful scientific effort. Along the way, the effort has been a joy—of science, of people, of mission and commitment.”

To learn more about the Charles C. Shepard Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award visit: www.cdc.gov/niosh/Shepard.