The University of Manitoba has confirmed the death of renowned infectious-disease expert Dr. Francis Plummer.

Plummer was the scientific director at Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg during the spread of SARS and H1N1, as well as during the development of the Ebola vaccine.

His research, in particular on HIV, helped shape public health policy around the world.

Plummer had recently revealed he had experimental deep brain surgery to battle alcoholism.

"The work of Dr. Frank Plummer has had a tremendous impact on global public health, and he was a prime example of dedication and passion in one’s profession," says Dr. David Barnard, UM president and vice-chancellor, in UM Today. "He was admired and regarded highly by academics and researchers around the world, and his legacy of seeking to develop an HIV vaccine remains one of the landmarks of infectious disease prevention."

"Frank’s work was highly innovative and saved hundreds of thousands of lives," Dr. Keith Fowke, head, medical microbiology & infectious diseases, says. "He was an outstanding and world-class researcher who was a dear colleague, mentor and friend to many of us lucky enough to work with him, and beside him. He will be dearly missed by us all in the academic and scientific community."