NewLink Genetics Corp. an Ames-based biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Dr. Thomas Monath has received the James H. Steele Gold-Headed Cane Award of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society. The award recognizes career accomplishments and achievements that significantly advance human health through veterinary epidemiology and public health. Monath is the chief scientific officer and chief operating officer of the Infectious Disease division of the company, where he is leading the developement of an Ebola virus vaccine in partnership with Merck. In his more than 45-year career, Monath has been involved in the development of a broad array of vaccines, including those for cholera, influenza, polio, malaria, HIV, anthrax, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, C. difficile, smallpox and Ebola.