Peter Jay Hotez

Prof. Peter Hotez is an iconic figure in the field of global health and health disparities who led the creation of the concept of the neglected tropical diseases ('NTDs'). As a result of his scientific articles and public advocacy activities more than 500 million people have received treatments for NTDs in low- and middle-income countries through USAID support, while tens of millions more are receiving access to essential NTD medicines through other public and private funds. As a researcher Prof. Hotez also established the first non-profit product development partnership (PDP) to develop NTD vaccines for hookworm infection, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease, with two of these vaccines now in clinical trials. He shaped the concept vaccine diplomacy to foster international scientific cooperation while serving as US Science Envoy for the Obama Administration. Simultaneously he has revealed a hidden burden of NTDs among the poorest people living in the southern United States, while establishing the first open access journal for NTDs through the Public Library of Science.