Rewarding Excellence, Encouraging Leadership... » Health Literature 

Past Winners

Dr. Mario Rodríguez et al.

Researchers in Mexico received the 2005 Fred L. Soper Award for Excellence in Health Literature.

On behalf of the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF), Dr. Jacobo Finkelman, presented the 2005 Award for Excellence in Health Literature to Dr. Mario Rodriguez Pérez, principal author of the winning article: "Polymerase chain reaction monitoring of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus in two endemic states in Mexico". This research on onchocerciasis (river blindness) was carried out in seven endemic communities of the States of Chiapas and Oaxaca in the south of the country. Dr. Finkelman is the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) interim representative in Mexico.

The ceremony took place on April 5, 2006, at the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City. During the award ceremony, Dr. Finkelman congratulated Dr. Mario Rodriguez Pérez and his colleagues for their exceptional contribution to the health literature. Dr. Finkelman pointed out that “the researchers are leaders in the control of this infectious disease in Mexico and their research paper is priceless information for the rest of the countries in Latin America.” Dr. Rodriguez thanked PAHEF and PAHO for this recognition.

 The article was published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in January 2004. It presents the polymerase chain reaction technique to carry out effective and fast monitoring of the transmission of the parasite causing river blindness. These results have significant implications in the fight against river blindness in the Americas for clinicians, public health officials, and public health policies.