Walter R. Dowdle, PhD
Dr. Dowdle is a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Poliomyelitis Eradication Initiative and Director, Polio Antivirals Initiative, The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia where he has served as Director of Programs; Director, Malarone Malaria Program; and Director, US Poliovirus Laboratory Containment Preparedness.
Prior to joining The Task Force, Dr. Dowdle was Deputy Director, 1987-1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta and Acting Director, 1989-1990 and 1993. He was Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Influenza, 1968-1979; Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, 1964-1974; and Honorary Fellow, John Curtin School for Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, 1972-1973.
Dr. Dowdle received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Alabama and his doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, College Park (1960). Dr. Dowdle joined CDC as a virologist and served as Chief, Respiratory Virology Unit; Director, Virology Division; CDC Assistant Director for Science; Director, Center for Infectious Diseases; and CDC Associate Director for HIV/AIDS. He is author or co-author of 180 publications in virus research, vaccine development/evaluation, and public health policy, with current active interest in polio, influenza, and HIV.
He has served on numerous scientific boards and as President, Armed Forces Epidemiologic Board, 1992-1994, and as President, American Society for Microbiology, 1989-1990. He is a member of various professional societies. Recognition has included the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Maryland, College of Chemical and Life sciences, 2006; Sigma Xi Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Health Science, 1995; the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Award, 1992; the US Presidential Distinguished Executive Award, 1982 and 1989; and the Congressional Excalibur Award, 1983.