Who We Are...

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!

Norbert K. Herzog, PhD

• Professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT

• Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX

• Scientist in the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Center for Tropical Diseases

• The Leon Bromberg Distinguished Professor for Excellence in Teaching and Paul Brindley Distinguished Scholar

• Research interests include drug design, cellular signal transduction associated with the pathogenesis of infectious agents, virology and biodefense

• Personal interests include photography, cooking, music and travel

David W. Niesel, PhD

• Associate Chief Research Officer, and Sr. Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX

• Scientist in the Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sealy Center for Structural Biology, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, and the Center for Tropical Diseases

• Lawrence E. Ethridge, Jr., Professor

• Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

• Research interests focus on the regulation of bacteria gene expression during infection in the host, mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, biodefense, and the adaptation of bacteria to the space environment

• Personal interests include family, cooking, reading and travel