UT Public Health Expert to Receive Hall of Fame Award
HOUSTON – (Oct. 8, 2008) – Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, M.D., professor of epidemiology at The University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus and one of the world’s leading virologists, will be recognized on Monday, Oct. 13, as one of the Women In Technology International’s (WITI) 2008 Hall of Fame winners.
Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, M.D.
The award, established in 1996, honors and promotes the outstanding scientific and technological contributions made by women.
"This year's recipients of WITI's 13th class of inductees include women who met rigorous standards of excellence in their contributions to science and technology, their ability in helping shape the next generation of scientists and technologists and for making the world a better place through science and technology," said Julie Lubbering, founding member and spokesperson for the WITI Hall of Fame.
Fisher-Hoch, a humanitarian who has made it her lifelong quest to eradicate disease, was instrumental in the identification of hot water systems as the source of Legionnaires’ disease. While working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she led efforts to contain diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fever. She joined the UT School of Public Health’s faculty in 2001 to study diseases that impact minority communities and also mentor young scientists. Her most recent research has explored the link between Type II diabetes and tuberculosis.
“This is a very prestigious recognition of the pioneering role that Dr. Fisher-Hoch has played in research on Ebola, Lassa and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, some of the most dangerous viruses in the world,” said Joseph B. McCormick, M.D., regional dean and James H. Steele Professor at the UT School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus. “She has worked in the laboratory, in the clinic and in villages in some of the most remote parts of the planet where these viruses attack their prey, who are often among the world’s poorest people. She is a role model for young scientists, particularly women, who aspire to an exciting life in science.”
McCormick and Fisher-Hoch worked together at the CDC. They married in 1992 and conducted research in Pakistan and France before moving to Brownsville to continue their public health work.
“Dr. Fisher-Hoch’s research into the detection and understanding of emerging infectious diseases along the Texas-Mexico border has been invaluable, especially in expanding our knowledge of how diseases such as tuberculosis impact health outcomes in the region,” said Guy S. Parcel, Ph.D., dean of the UT School of Public Health. “Just as importantly, she serves as a mentor to young scientists in the field, particularly women, in her role as a faculty member of the school’s Brownsville Regional Campus. I was pleased and excited to learn that Dr. Fisher-Hoch had been selected for one of the most distinguished awards for women in technology and science.”
Fisher-Hoch is scheduled to receive the award during the WITI’s annual conference, “Women and Technology Summit: Women’s Leadership-Shaping the Future,” Oct. 12-15 in Santa Clara, Calif. For information about WITI and the award, visit www.witi.com/halloffame.