May 14, 2019
Media Contact:
Heather Thorstensen
Manager of Communications
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
hthorstensen@sigmaxi.org or (919) 549-4691 ext. 216
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC—An internationally recognized pediatrician–scientist in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development will be a keynote speaker at Sigma Xi’s Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference this November in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Hotez is a professor and dean at Baylor College of Medicine and a book author. He is also co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, which is making vaccines against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as schistosomiasis, hookworm infection, and Chagas disease. NTDs are a group of infectious diseases that are found mostly in tropical and subtropical climates. Populations living in poverty are the most affected.
His talk at the meeting will focus on the challenges of developing new vaccines for neglected diseases, while facing modern 21st century forces, including shifting poverty, war and conflict, urbanization, and climate change. As a vaccine scientist, pediatrician, and parent of an adult daughter with autism, he will also highlight his struggles against a growing antivaccine movement.
The Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference's theme is Our Changing Global Environment. Hotez will be a keynote speaker on November 15 in the Life/Health symposium track.