As part of the Section on Medical Sciences, Jahrling was elected AAAS Fellow for development of animal models using authentic smallpox, Ebola, and Lassa viruses leading to improved vaccines, antiviral drugs, and diagnostics. He is one of 348 members to be recognized this year.
According to the association's news release, new Fellows are selected on the basis of their efforts to advance research or applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. Individuals will be presented with an official certificate and pin on Saturday, February 14, at the Fellows Forum during the 2004 AAAS Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.
"Dr. Peter Jahrling has made substantial contributions to national defense and public health as USAMRIID's senior scientist," said Colonel Erik A. Henchal, commander of USAMRIID. "We're thrilled that he is receiving this recognition as a result of his achievements in the pursuit of scientific knowledge."
Jahrling began his USAMRIID career as an Army Captain and immunologist assigned to the Institute in 1972. He was honorably discharged in 1976 and remained with USAMRIID in a civilian capacity. Currently he serves as Senior Research Scientist, and is the Institute's principal scientific advisor on issues related to medical defense against infectious disease threats. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from Cornell University Medical College in Ithaca, New York.
Jahrling has authored or co-authored more than 160 scientific publications, chiefly in the areas of filovirus and poxvirus research. He has served as a subject matter expert and consultant to numerous agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization, the Department of State, the National Security Council, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service; the Federal Career Service Outstanding Professional Award; the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service; the Order of Military Medical Merit; and the Joel M. Dalrymple Award for Distinguished Medical Service (awarded by the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States).
USAMRIID, located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. The Institute's mission is to conduct basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
Founded in 1848, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs, and publications, in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. AAAS is the world's largest general federation of scientists. Its journal, Science, is an editorially independent, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed weekly that ranks among the world's most prestigious scientific journals.