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Who is Thomas Herzig?

Thomas Herzig, born in Houston, Texas, on December 20, 1962, developed his interest in science during high school. His high school had a strong math and science program and, most importantly, good teachers who fostered and encouraged participation in science. Those factors, coupled with a personal interest in science, lead to his decision to pursue an education in science. However, a career as a scientist was not considered until he worked as a laboratory technician.

Research Wins Out Over Medicine
Dr. Herzig received his Bachelor’s degree in biology in 1984 from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He chose to attend Southwestern University because of its excellent reputation for training students in the sciences, especially with regard to gaining entrance into medical school, which was his original intent. It was an independent research project coupled with his experience as a laboratory technician that helped him decide to pursue graduate school instead of medical school. Dr. Herzig continued his studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, and received his PhD in pharmacology in 1992. Even though his graduate training was in pharmacology, much of Dr. Herzig’s education and dissertation were focused on the physiological aspects of the issues studied.

Joining the Military
Dr. Herzig began his career in the traditional manner with postdoctoral fellowships after graduating with his Ph.D. However, during the time he was applying for tenure-track academic positions, the US Navy approached Dr. Herzig about continuing his physiological research as a commissioned officer. Because of his interest in applied physiology, Dr. Herzig accepted the offer. As a commissioned Navy officer, Dr. Herzig was first stationed at a military research institute. Such military research institutes function much like civilian academic institutes, but there are certain aspects of the work that are unique to the military. The research, although basic in nature, has an applied context, such that the results can be related to the needs of the military. Additionally, as a commissioned officer, military research scientists must meet and maintain proper physical readiness standards.

After making his mark on the research institute, Dr. Herzig moved into the realm of academic medicine. Dr. Herzig became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Military & Emergency Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, which trains students to become military physicians. In that position, Dr. Herzig’s time was divided among teaching, course development and management, research, and administrative duties. He also has had the unique opportunity to serve the NATO Research and Technology Organization as the Executive Secretary for the Human Factors and Medicine Panel Task Group on Radiation Injury and Medical Countermeasures.

He recently moved to the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, which has three main areas of research: 1) submarine medical and survival systems, which deals with escape and rescue, as well as on board medical issues; 2) diving and environmental simulation, which is involved in underwater acoustics; and 3) human performance, which is studying ways to improve the performance of submariners. 

Dr. Herzig believes that his choice of a career path is an exceptional option, especially for those scientists who are interested in working on issues related to applied physiology. Additionally, the diversity of work, including research, teaching, management of scientific programs, governmental responsibilities, and international participation in science make for an interesting and enjoyable career.

In addition to research, Dr. Herzig also teaches first-, second-, and fourth-year medical students, and is the course director for one of the first-year classes. Since his department is developing a new graduate program, Dr. Herzig is involved in creating budgets, courses, and promotional material for the new program in Applied Human Biology.

Finally, as the Executive Secretary for a NATO task group, Dr. Herzig works to provide new and updated research documents to assist in the medical treatment of military personnel.

In addition to his numerous professional duties, Dr. Herzig continues to expand his own educational basis. He is currently studying towards a Masters degree in Project Management at George Washington University in Washington, DC. This dedication to continual education is a hallmark of all successful scientists.

Representative Publications
1. Herzig, T.C., R.A. Buchholz, and J.R. Haywood. Effects of paraventricular nucleus lesions on chronic renal hypertension. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 261: H860-H867, 1991.

2. Herzig, T.C., S.M. Jobe, H. Aoki, J.D. Molkentin, A.W. Cowley, Jr., S. Izumo and B.E. Markham. Angiotensin II type 1a receptor gene expression in the heart: AP-1 and GATA-4 participate in the response to pressure overload. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94(14): 7543-7548, 1997.  

3. Herzig, T.C.   Career opportunities in the military: An alternative to traditional academic science. The Physiologist 40(6): 309-311, 1997.  

4. Herzig, T.C. and B.E. Hively. Blood pressure and mesenteric blood flow changes resulting from pyridostigmine pretreatment and radiation exposure. Proceedings of the 1998 Medical Defense Bioscience Review. U.S. Army Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, 1998.

5. Knudson, G.B., T.B. Elliott, I. Brook, M.O. Shoemaker, R.J. Lowy, G. King, T.C. Herzig, M.R. Landauer, S.A. Wilson, S.J. Peacock, R.H. Pastel, S.S. Bouhaouala, W.E. Jackson, III, D. Economos, A.C. Miller, G.D. Ledney. Update to AFRRI’S Nuclear Biological and Chemical Interactions and Countermeasures team research: NATO TG006 presentation. NATO TG006 workshop, Umeĺ, Sweden, 19-21 March 2001.