October 4, 2023
South African National Research Foundation gives A-rating award to K-State's Juergen A. Richt
The director of the K-State National Institutes of Health Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, or CEZID, and the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, or CEEZAD; was one of four researchers awarded the 2023 South African National Research Foundation, or NRF, an A-rating award.
As a veterinary microbiologist, Juergen Richt specializes in infectious pathogens with emerging and zoonotic potential. Alongside his group of researchers and collaborators, he has developed animal models, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tools for infectious diseases of wild and domestic animals.
Richt joined K-State in 2008 as the Regents distinguished professor. In 2010, Richt became the director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases. In 2013, he was named a university distinguished professor, the highest honor the university can award to faculty members. In 2020, he became the director of the NIH Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Richt has authored or co-authored more than 320 peer-review articles and has raised more than $67 million in grants for veterinary research.
"I appreciate this high honor from an organization I admire," Richt said. "Recognition by the South African National Research Foundation with the highest rating they bestow on scientists reflects on the many individuals who collaborated with me in the past two decades. The dean of the veterinary school at Pretoria informed me that this is the first time in the history of the faculty of veterinary science that a faculty/adjunct faculty member has received this honor. This is a significant acknowledgment by peers that recognize the high-quality research performed in the field of veterinary science."
The NRF A-rating is the highest distinction and is awarded to leading international researchers. These researchers are recognized by their peers as leading scholars in their field of research as well as the quality and impact of their research. The chosen researchers also play a significant role in developing the next generation of researchers.
"This is an outstanding accomplishment and well-deserved recognition for Dr. Richt's many contributions to advancing our understanding of zoonotic and transboundary diseases," said Hans Coetzee, associate dean for research and graduate programs in the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.