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Roger Glass: A Champion for Global Child Health

Dr. Roger Glass, MD, PhD, has been officially recognized with the prestigious 2026 James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health, awarded by the CDC Foundation. This accolade celebrates his exceptional contributions to the field of global health, particularly in combatting child morbidity and mortality caused by rotavirus. His groundbreaking research and advocacy for vaccine accessibility have played a pivotal role in saving the lives of countless children around the world.

As a Commissioned Corps Medical Officer with the U.S. Public Health Service, Glass began his career addressing childhood diarrheal diseases at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research in Bangladesh. Early in his work, he discovered that rotavirus was a primary factor in severe diarrheal illness, leading to significant hospitalization and death rates among children under five. This revelation was crucial, especially at a time when an estimated 3 million children were succumbing to diarrhea each year.

Glass's extensive research provided the foundation for global increases in rotavirus vaccine development. His influence facilitated the establishment of a global network aimed at understanding rotavirus epidemiology and informed policies to ensure that lifesaving vaccines reached the children who depended on them most. The Viral Gastroenteritis Unit he led at the CDC became an essential resource, training epidemiologists and scientists from over 50 countries, thereby expanding the global capacity to combat diarrheal diseases effectively.

One of Glass's most impactful initiatives was his collaboration with Indian researchers to develop an affordable rotavirus vaccine tailored for low- and middle-income countries. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Indian Department of Biotechnology, Glass and his team succeeded in creating a vaccine that costs just $1 per dose. This vaccine was officially launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and now plays a critical role in vaccination programs accessed by children across over 140 countries through GAVI. This achievement underscores a vital model for producing affordable vaccines where they are most needed, helping drastically reduce the burden of severe diarrheal disease and saving lives.

Outside of his direct work on rotavirus, Glass has held key leadership roles in global health, notably serving as the associate director for International Programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During his tenure, he shaped research training initiatives in global health that benefitted both U.S. and international healthcare professionals. Most recently, he has been involved with the CMB Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing health and medical education in Asia.

His accolades are numerous, featuring prestigious awards such as the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal and the Charles C. Shepard Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award from the CDC. Each honor reflects his unwavering commitment to global health and his capability to inspire future generations of health leaders.

In recognition of his distinguished career, the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation celebrated Glass for his legacy in public health as individuals and organizations strive to attain improved health outcomes. The partnership between the CDC Foundation and the Fries Foundation facilitates the recognition of remarkable achievements in public health, fundamentally aimed at rewarding those whose work tangibly improves health access and outcomes.

This year, Dr. Roger Glass embodies the spirit of the James and Sarah Fries Prize, marking a significant moment in public health history as his contributions continue to resonate globally, challenging frameworks and reshaping health policies to better serve communities worldwide.