Landon Westfall, Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, B.S. Biology

Landon Westfall, Ph.D., is a bacteriologist, virologist, immunologist and molecular biologist with 15 years of experience in researching medically-relevant pathogens at both pre-clinical and clinical levels. As associate director of Influenza, he is responsible for overseeing the influenza virology program, both in vitro and in vivo, at Southern Research. He leads the support effort for pre-clinical studies and clinical sample testing by designing and executing validations or qualifications for immunogenicity assays, and managing sample analysis in partnership with both commercial and government clients. In addition, Westfall has experience conducting GLP regulated general safety toxicology studies for newly discovered influenza vaccines in support of regulatory submissions to the FDA.

Prior to joining Southern Research in 2015, Westfall was principal investigator and study director at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, a BSL3+/ABSL3+ contract research organization, where he successfully conducted a GLP-compliant animal model qualification for an aerosolized Tier-1 Select Agent in nonhuman primates. He supervised and performed a broad range of procedures using novel and standard techniques and methods, including refining a number of animal models using both viral and bacterial species. Viral animal models were primarily mouse and ferret influenza models using seasonal, pandemic and highly pathogenic avian influenza strains. Influenza studies included testing new vaccine platforms and antivirals for efficacy on newly emerged and pandemic influenza strains.

Westfall is a member of the American Society of Microbiology. He earned his doctorate in medical microbiology from Texas Tech University (TTU) Health Sciences Center and his Bachelor of Science in biology from TTU.