John La Montagne

John Ring La Montagne (January 1, 1943 – November 2, 2004) was a Mexican-American biomedical scientist who served as the deputy director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1998 to 2004. He specialized in viral vaccines, HIV/AIDS research, and oversaw NIH's biodefense research after the September 11 attacks.

Early life and education La Montagne was born in Mexico City on January 1, 1943. He studied microbiology at University of Texas at Austin. La Montagne completed a Ph.D. in bacterial genetics at Tulane University in 1971. He trained in the laboratory of Julius Youngner at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where he researched animal viruses.

Career In 1976, he came to NIH as the Influenza Program Officer at the NIAID. He became the program officer for the viral vaccines program in 1983, and the Influenza and Viral Respiratory Diseases Program Officer in 1984. Beginning in 1986, La Montagne assumed the role of director of the AIDS program. In 1987 he was appointed director of the microbiology and infectious diseases program, which became a division in 1988. La Montagne was appointed Deputy Director of the NIAID in February 1998 and served until his death in November 2004.

Awards and honors La Montagne received prestigious awards for his scientific accomplishments, including the PHS Special Recognition Award for leadership in childhood vaccine research programs, the Surgeon General's Certificate of Appreciation, the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive, the Distinguished Executive Award for his work in the areas of infectious diseases research of global health relevance, the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service for leadership of acellular pertussis vaccine trials, and most recently the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service for design and implementation of critically important biodefense strategies. He died of a pulmonary embolism on November 2, 2004, at the Mexico City International Airport.