Experts List
Dr. Joseph B. McCormick, M.D., Assistant Dean and James H. Steele Professor
University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Brownsville Regional Campus
Dr. Joseph McCormick is an expert in human viral diseases, in particular viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa,
CCHF Hantaviruses), HIV Vaccines and tropical diseases. He obtained his medical degree in 1971 from Duke
University and received an intercalated MS degree from Harvard School of Public Health in 1970. For 23 years he
worked with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in various capacities. He is presently the
Assistant Dean at UT Houston School of Public Health. Dr. McCormick has about 200 scientific publications with
co-authors from over 20 different countries. He co-authored “Level 4: Virus Hunters for the CDC”, a biographical
book that was translated in nine languages.
Dr. Susan Fisher-Hoch, M.D., Professor
Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health,
Brownsville Regional Campus
Dr. Susan Fisher-Hoch is an Epidemiologist at the University of Texas, School of Public Health. She is also an
expert in infectious diseases. She obtained her medical degree from the University of London. She has studied
rabies in Bangkok, Lassa Fever in Sierra Leone, and cholera in Pakistan. She's worked for the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) in Atlanta, and is co-author of, "Level 4: Virus Hunters for the CDC," a biographic book about her
adventures traveling around the world to study disease outbreaks.
Dr. Hugo E. Rodriguez, Assistant Master Technical Instructor
Dr. Hugo E. Rodriguez obtained his medical degree from the Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico. He completed his
residency in family medicine and family therapy at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. He later began his
practice as a family physician for the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social and at the same period he began his
private practice in Matamoros, Mexico. Dr, Rodriguez is currently an Assistant Master Technical Instructor in the
Biological Sciences Dept.
Dr. Luis V. Colom, Interim-Vice President for Research
Dr. Colom is a neuroscientist with extensive training in medicine and biomedical research. His medical degree and
doctoral degree were obtained in Uruguay, his native country. His extensive research training was obtained at the
Ramon y Cajal Center in Spain, the University of Calgary in Canada, Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Colom is currently serving as our interim Vice President for
Research.
Dr. Christopher Ledingham, Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Human Performance
Dr. Christopher Ledingham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Dr.
Ledingham holds a Ph.D. in Health Education from Texas A&M University, a Master of Public Health from New
Mexico State University and a Bachelor of Community Health from New Mexico State University. Dr. Ledingham
has taught at the University level for 8 years, as well as worked in both the public and private sectors as a health
educator for the last 6 years. Prior to that, Dr. Ledingham was a licensed Emergency Medical Technician for 6
years. Dr. Ledingham currently serves on the UTB/TSC Infectious Disease Advisory Committee, specifically the
Medical Sub-committee.