About the Medical Discovery News Team

The voices and energy behind Medical Discovery News are two scientists who met at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980, where they were pursuing research on infectious microbes and how they cause disease. Professors David W. Niesel, in 1983, and Norbert K. Herzog, in 1989, joined the faculty of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, world renowned for research in infectious and emerging tropical diseases, among other biomedical specialties. After accepting a Professorship in 2012 at the Department of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, Dr. Herzog is now a founding member of the faculty at this new medical school. He continues as a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Their outgoing personalities and passion for promoting the understanding of science among the public evolved into Medical Discovery News five years ago. The show’s two-minute conversations have unraveled breaking scientific news, such as whether airport full-body scanners pose radiation risks, as well as ancient history, such as King Tut’s paternity. They’ve also explained puzzling biomedical questions such as why people yawn and the health benefits of beer. Another episode on the link between too little sleep and early death really woke up their listeners! This is done in an entertaining and informative way. Watch out – you might learn something!

Contact Us

Email Dr. David Niesel or Dr. Norbert Herzog
or write to us at:

David W. Niesel, PhD
Medical Discovery News
c/o Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
UTMB
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-1050
or

Norbert K. Herzog, PhD
Quinnipiac University
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518-1908

Who We Are

image of Dr. Herzog

Norbert K. Herzog, PhD

Dr. Norbert Herzog is Prof. Emeritus in the Dept of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine in CT and was among the founding faculty in 2012.  He is also Prof. Emeritus of the Depts of Pathology & Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas.   Previously, he was a Professor in the UTMB Depts of Pathology & Microbiology and Immunology, a Member of the Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases. He is also The UT Leon Bromberg Distinguished Professor for Excellence in Teaching and a UT System Distinguished Teaching Professor.  He holds a B.S. in Bacteriology from UCLA, an M.S. in Biology from CSUN and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from UT Austin.  

His research interests included cellular signal transduction in pathogenesis of viruses, viral pathogenesis and drug design.   His hobbies are photography, travel, music and work with Special Olympics. 

Dr. Niesel

David W. Niesel, PhD

David W. Niesel, Ph.D. joined the UTMB faculty in the Dept of Microbiology and Immunology in 1983.  He was appointed chairman in 2000.  Dr. Niesel received his Ph.D. in 1980 from North Carolina State University.  In 1997, Dr. Niesel was named Vice Dean for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.  He became Dean in 2013 and the UTMB Chief Research Officer in 2015.   He retired in 2021 and is an Adjunct Professor.  His research was focused on investigating bacterial pathogens. His lab investigated alterations in gene/protein expression and the virulence of S. pneumoniae and in space on the space shuttle.  His work also developed a sensitive method for antibiotic resistance detection.   Dr. Niesel is co-host of the Medical Discovery News, a radio show and newspaper column that for the past 18+ years seeks to educate the public about advances in biomedical science in an understandable and entertaining format.  

Meet the Team

Christina Yao Lee
Producer/Chief Editor

Catherine May Fulton, MS
Column and Print Editor, Illumina SciCom editor and Director

Heidi Lutz
Web Editor and Administrator

Jack Updyke
Sound Engineer and Editor