 The National Science Foundation named Yates' discovery of the cause of the hantavirus as one of the top fifty projected funded by the NSF which had the greatest impact on peoples' lives.Yates was affiliated with the University of New Mexico for 29 years before his death in 2007.He served as a professor of biology and pathology, before becoming the UNM's vice president for research and economic development, a position he held until his death.