Longhorn reflects the visionary spirit of its leadership, Gerald Fischer, MD and Luke Daum, PhD. With an emphasis on innovation, the company has developed unique, groundbreaking products that meet critical, real-world needs.
Gerald W. Fischer, MD is the Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer of Longhorn and an internationally recognized leader in pediatric and infectious disease care and research. He received a B.A. from Lewis and Clark College in 1968 and an M.D. from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1971. In the mid-1980s, he was the lead investigator of the multi-site clinical trial of polyclonal antibodies to prevent bacterial infections in premature babies, which led to the discovery that anti-RSV antibodies could prevent RSV pneumonia. Dr. Fischer served as the Director of Pediatric Research for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and directed a large clinical Pediatric Infectious Disease program at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was appointed Professor of Pediatrics in 1981 and was named a Fellow in the Infectious Disease Society of America. He has written 12 book chapters and numerous journal articles on preventing and treating infections in children.
Luke T. Daum, PhD is Chief Scientific Officer for Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics. He received a B.S. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1996), an M.S. from Central Michigan University (1999) and a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (2006). Starting in 1999, he worked as a Civilian Scientist for the Air Force Institute for Operational Health (AFIOH). Dr. Daum possesses extensive experience with respiratory pathogens, molecular epidemiology and the development of pathogen diagnostics. He has trained several AF personnel, has published 17 peer reviewed scientific papers, has presented over 30 scientific abstracts and lectures, and holds two patents.
Jeff Fischer, MBA, is Director of Business Development, responsible for Longhorn client development. Mr. Fischer creates, identifies and cultivates opportunities suited to Longhorn's diagnostic and vaccine development and application capabilities. For six years, Mr. Fischer served as an executive vice president and CFO in the biotechnology industry. He is a former infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps and holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Rear Admiral Luther F. Schriefer, USN (Ret.), is Operational and Administrative Director for Longhorn. Admiral Schriefer has a long history of high-level service in both government and private enterprise. He served as Director of Latin American Policy for the Secretary of Defense (1992-94) He was the Managing Director for the United Arab Emirates military healthcare up-grade program with responsibility for ongoing healthcare issues and disaster response. Admiral Schriefer was Naval Base Commander for disaster response and support for San Diego and the region of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. He holds a BS in Naval engineering and an MS in international affairs from George Washington University.
Sue Worthy is Director of Research and Product Development for Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from Wright State University in Dayton, OH (1992) and has worked in the biomedical research field for over 28 years. Ms. Worthy has experience in hospital and clinical laboratory diagnostic testing, clinical research, clinical trials, infectious disease research, as well as experience in a quality control laboratory for a major manufacturing company in South Texas. Ms. Worthy worked with government laboratories for 15 years prior to joining Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics in June 2008.
