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| Cairo, Egypt. Courtesy of Dr. Ibrahim-Helmy M. Helmy |
On February 24, 2017, we celebrate the century mark for Harry Hoogstraal, one of the most influential medical entomologists of our time.
Harry’s contributions to systematics of medically important arthropods and the diseases they carry are vast. He was described as “the greatest authority on ticks and tickborne diseases who ever lived,” and his scientific curiosity and passion for increasing the description of arthropods from remote areas (Philippines, Dutch New Guinea, Mexico, Madagascar, Egypt) led him to describe a mind-blowing number of novel mosquito and tick species. During his lifetime he authored or co-authored more than 500 publications and directed the translation of over 1,800 scientific papers and books (German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian). More than 200 species of organisms have been named in honor of Harry Hoogstraal.
“He gave the most interesting talks on tick-borne bird viruses and presented holistic views on tick taxonomy and evolution,” said Durland Fish, who received the ASTMH Hoogstraal Medal in 2015. “He had many original and insightful ideas about ticks that he would share with anyone, especially students.”
“As the chair of the Hoogstraal Medal selection committee for several years, it was a privilege to award this medal to leaders in entomology. I know that Harry smiled as each received his medal,” said Stephen Higgs, PhD, FRES, FASTMH.
"In the time of the Iron Curtain, selected articles written in Czech were translated to English and published as reprints thanks to (Harry) and his support,” recalled Vlasta Danielová and Milan Daniel, who worked with him in Czech Republic. “Secondly, Harry personally visited our country and sites of our field studies. For instance, he described the new species of the tick from a collection of ticks made during the Czechoslovak mountaineering expeditions to Pakistan and Afghanistan named Haemaphysalis danieli in 1977.”
The Harry Hoogstraal Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Entomology is awarded yearly by the
American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME), an ASTMH subgroup. Since 1987, the medal has recognized Harry’s legacy and passion, and is highest honor given to the most influential medical entomologists for their contributions to their field.
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| Cairo, Egypt. Courtesy of Dr. Ibrahim-Helmy M. Helmy |
“Harry’s significant contributions to fields of Medical Entomology and vector Systematics continue to live to these days,” said ACMD Chair Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec
Click here for more information on how to nominate medalists and a list of past medal recipients.
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| Field research station in south Moravia (Valtice), important site of many years studies of tick and mosquito ecology and their medical importance. From left side: Milan Daniel, Harry, Vlasta Danielová and Bohumír Rosický, in that time the director of the Institute of parasitology , Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. (courtesy, Vlasta Danielová and Milan Daniel) |
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| From University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Division of Entomology |
Harry in Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic (courtesy, Vlasta Danielová and Milan Daniel) |