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Português do Brasil GEORGE M. BAER, MPH, DVM (1936-2009)
Baer served at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention throughout his career, with a special focus on psittacosis, brucellosis, and rabies. He worked at the Southwest Rabies Research Laboratory and was a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization in Mexico, helping to establish national rabies programs.
Throughout his career, Baer worked at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a focus on psittacosis, brucellosis and rabies. He worked at the Southwest Rabies Research Laboratory and was a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization in Mexico, helping to establish national rabies programs.
As director of the CDC’s Rabies Laboratory, he led the team that developed oral vaccination for wildlife and is recognized as the “Father of Oral Rabies Vaccination.” Baer published over 100 scientific papers, including his landmark book “The Natural History of Rabies.” After retiring, he founded a diagnostic laboratory in Mexico and remained active in the Conference on Rabies in the Americas.
Legacy and Award
The International Steering Committee named this award in honor of his contributions, highlighting his dedication to research and the advancement of public health in Latin America.
In 2025, the award winner will be recognized for their achievement with the opportunity to present their work at a special session of the RITA Conference.
Ivanete Kotait Latin American student / young researcher Award
The Ivanete Kotait Award is given to a Latin American student or young researcher for outstanding work in rabies research. It is named in honor of Dr. Ivanete Kotait, one of the first members representing Brazil on the International Steering Committee of the Rabies in the Americas (RITA) organization.
Dr. Ivanete Kotait was a prominent researcher who dedicated herself intensely to advances and improvements in rabies diagnosis, research, and control, always with great affection for developing regions. As a graduate of Veterinary Medicine, she began her professional career at the Biological Institute of São Paulo and, later, at the Pasteur Institute of São Paulo. During her tenure, she contributed to the improvement of the Institute’s activities, which achieved recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as a Collaborating Center for Rabies, in addition to becoming a National Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Brazil. She was key in laying the foundations for agricultural and public health programs against rabies in Brazil, a commitment she maintained throughout her professional career
It has focused on the generation and transfer of technology Throughout his professional life, he has encouraged students and young researchers to study the study and importance of rabies in the context of public health and economics. In recognition of his impact, the RITA International Steering Committee established this annual award in his honor for the best paper by a Latin American student or young researcher.
In 2025, the award winner will be recognized for their achievement with the opportunity to present their work at a special session of the RITA Conference.
Who can apply for the Ivanete Kotait Award: A professional or student in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral program who receives formal supervision from the institution to which he/she belongs. The applicant must have less than 5 years of previous experience in rabies. Be professional o student in an undergraduate, doctoral or post-doctoral program receiving formal orientation by the institution to which he/she belongs. The applicant must have previous experience in the area of Rabies. less than 5 years.