George M. Baer Latin American Investigator Award

The George M. Baer Latin American Investigator Award is given to a researcher from a Latin American country for outstanding work in the field of rabies research. It is named for Dr. George Martin Baer, one of the founding members of the Rabies in the Americas Conference (RITA). He was an eminent virologist, veterinarian, and public health scientist, with a strong affection for the developing world. Dr. Baer helped to lay the groundwork for Mexico’s public health programs against rabies, an effort he continued throughout his professional life. In 1969, became head of the US CDC Rabies Laboratory. With his team of researchers, he developed a method for the immunization of wildlife, for which he was credited as the “Father of Oral Rabies Vaccination”. His considerable expertise made him one of the foremost international experts in this arena. Of his more than 100 publications, his 1991 book, The Natural History of Rabies, remains a definitive reference in the field. After retirement from CDC, he founded a diagnostic laboratory in Mexico City, and remained a member International Steering Committee for RITA.

For his multiple contributions, not the least of which focused upon relevant technology transfer to the developing world, the RITA International Steering Committee named the annual prize for the best work from a Latin American researcher in his honor.

In 2020, the Award Winner will be recognized for their achievement with an opportunity to present their work in a special session of the virtual RITA Conference.

Award criteria:

• The applicant must be a citizen and resident of a Latin American country and work in a government agency (national or local level), or be a professional working in a University or research institution, or be a student ending the degree process (Bachelor, Masters or PhD).

• The applicant must be the first author and the one who contributed most substantially to the work.

• The applicant must be a new investigator in the field, with 10 years or less of relevant experience in rabies.

• The applicant must not have received the award previously.

• The applicant must declare if the research group has received technical and/or financial support from international institutions/agencies.

• The topic of investigation should be novel for the rabies field or a novel application of research technology received from external agencies that collaborate in the study.

The winner of the award is chosen by the RITA International Steering Committee. The following elements are taken in consideration when selecting the winner:

• The innovative nature of the work described;

• The clear and logical description of the research; and

• The importance of the work for the country of the researcher and the region.

How to apply:

• The Application Package consists of three parts:

1. Background information form

2. Research summary

3. Curriculum vitae

• Please read all instructions carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The Application may be completed in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese. However, English translations must be provided for the Research Summary and the CV. The award winner may give the oral presentation in Spanish, Portuguese, French or English.

• The Application Package must be submitted by the applicant, via email, directly to the RITA International Steering Committee.

• Save the your completed Application Package as one MSWord file using the following naming convention: “GB Award 2020 – LAST NAME, FIRST NAME”

• Please email your completed Application Package to: GBaerAward@rabiesintheamericas.org

using the subject line: “GB Award 2020 – LAST NAME, FIRST NAME”

• Applications must be received by August 31, 2020, 11:59 Pacific Time (GMT-7) in order to be considered for RITA2020.

• You will receive a confirmation that your Application Package was received and the winner will be notified by September 15, 2020.

If you have any questions about the application process, please send an email to: GBaerAward@rabiesintheamericas.org