Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Writer: Kim Carlyle, 706583-0913, kcarlyle@uga.edu
Contact: Dan Colley, 706542-4112, dcolley@uga.edu

UGA SCIENTIST DAN COLLEY AWARDED BRAZIL'S HIGHEST SCIENTIFIC HONOR

Athens, Ga. - Dan Colley, director of the University of Georgia's Center for Tropical and Emerging Diseases (CTEGD) and professor of microbiology, has been awarded the Brazilian Presidential Medal for Scientific Merit. He is being awarded the Grand Cross medal, which is the highest honor given to a scientist by the Brazilian president. The ceremony will be held today at Brazil's Palacio do Planalto (presidential office building).

"I am deeply honored to be awarded Brazil's highest scientific award, the Gran Cruz do Ordem Nacional do Mérito Científico of Brazil," said Colley. "This medal is so meaningful to me because of the research my Brazilian colleagues and I have accomplished and because of the numerous young Brazilian scientists I have had the opportunity to work with through the last 30 years. It has been a privilege to be a part of the ever-expanding horizons of Brazilian biomedical research during this time, and I greatly appreciate this unexpected recognition of my small part in it."

The Medal for Scientific Merit is given according to two levels: Grand Cross (the highest) and "Comendador" (head of an order or association). There is also a Medal of Recognition given to institutions. The medal recognizes not only those who have contributed to the development of science in Brazil but whose contribution also led to the development of a field of science.

Colley's research program is designed to better understand how the body's immune system reacts against the parasitic worm schistosomiasis. The infection affects more than 200 million people in the world, most commonly in the tropics. The disease can kill those infected, but it often does not do so; rather it lasts for years and years, draining the energy and well-being of those infected. Colley's research examines why people tolerate the infections differently, and he also studies resistance to infection. His research goal is to know how this resistance works which may lead to vaccine development for schistosomiasis.

"I am very pleased that Dan is being awarded Brazil's highest medal in science for his efforts to advance our understanding and treatment of a tropical disease that poses a serious public health threat for people in tropical regions," said Gordhan L. Patel, UGA vice president for research and associate provost. "Through the CTEGD, Dan's efforts have resulted in vital collaborations and training opportunities among scientists in the United States, Brazil and other countries who are working to combat schistosomiasis, a chronic and all-too-often deadly disease."

The Brazilian Presidential Medal for Scientific Merit is awarded by the Brazilian president by means of federal decree. The decree for Colley's award was published in the Brazilian Federal Register on March 15. The mechanism of award is dictated by the Brazilian constitution. Only the president can, in person, award the medal, together with certificates of recognition and other symbols.

Note to editors: The A picture of the award can be found at http://www.mct.gov.br/sobre/ordem_merito/medalhas.htm (the medal on the left).