| William Trager (1910 to 2005) Rockefeller Institute William Trager, Ph.D., achieved the first continuous cultivation in vitro of the human malaria parasite. This scientific breakthrough paved the way for research to understand the physiology, biochemistry, and immunology of the deadly parasite and to ultimately develop a vaccine to prevent or control malaria. Dr. Trager's principle research contributions to parasitology span three main areas: insect physiology, host-parasite relation-ships, and the physiology of the erythrocytic stages of malaria parasites. He developed the first bacteria-free culture system for mosquito larvae which led to a series of papers on larval nutritional requirements and devised culture methods for silkworm, mosquito, and tsetse fly tissues. In addition to making numerous ground-breaking discoveries, Trager found time to support the scientific societies to which he belonged. He served as President of both the American Society of Parasitologists and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and also served in an advisory capacity for the World Health Organization, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. William Trager is a founding member of the Society of Protozoologists and was the first Editor of The Journal of Protozoology. He has had a distinguished career in protozoology research, publishing more than 210 scientific papers, authoring two books, and earning numerous prestigious awards for his many outstanding achievements. In 1998, the Society of Protozoologists established The William Trager Award for Outstanding Paper of the Year, in recognition of his revolutionary discoveries and prolific contributions to the field. |
