Robert Shope

Robert Ellis Shope (EID 2004)

American virologist and epidemiologist

Robert Shope

Born	February 21, 1929
Birth place	Long Island, New York
Died	January 19, 2004
Place of death	Galveston, Texas
Nationality	American
Known for	Arbovirology

Robert Ellis Shope (February 21, 1929 – January 19, 2004) was a prominent American virologist and epidemiologist renowned for his extensive research on arboviruses and emerging infectious diseases. He made significant contributions to the understanding of vector-borne diseases and the ecology of viruses.

Early Life and Education

Robert Shope was born on February 21, 1929, in Long Island, New York. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where he developed an interest in biology and medicine. He later attended Harvard University, where he earned his M.D. degree.

Career

Shope began his career in virology at the Rockefeller Foundation Virus Laboratory in New York City. He later joined the faculty at Yale University, where he conducted groundbreaking research on arboviruses, a group of viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. His work at Yale led to the discovery of numerous new viruses and a deeper understanding of their transmission and impact on human health.

In the later stages of his career, Shope moved to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he continued his research and contributed to the establishment of the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses.

Contributions to Virology

Robert Shope is best known for his work on arbovirology, the study of viruses transmitted by arthropods. He identified and characterized many new arboviruses, contributing to the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines. His research was instrumental in understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these viruses.

Shope's work extended to the study of emerging infectious diseases, where he played a key role in identifying and responding to new viral threats. His contributions have had a lasting impact on public health and the field of virology.

Legacy

Robert Shope's legacy in the field of virology is marked by his extensive research on arboviruses and his contributions to the understanding of emerging infectious diseases. He was a mentor to many young scientists and left a lasting impact on the scientific community.

Personal Life

Robert Shope was married and had children. He passed away on January 19, 2004, in Galveston, Texas.

See Also

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Arbovirus
• Emerging infectious diseases
• Vector-borne disease