Biography
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Heipertz is the Principle Associated Director at MHRP, arriving in August of 2024.
LTC Heipertz is a native of Union, New Jersey and earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 2003 from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He completed his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology in 2008 from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. LTC Heipertz was a Direct Commission in 2009 completing the AMEDD Officer Basic Course. He is also a graduate of the AMEDD Captain’s Career Course and the Army Command and General Staff College.
Following the Officer Basic Course, LTC Heipertz was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and MHRP where he conducted HIV research from 2009-2012. His focus area was molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infections in military relevant geographic areas. In 2012, he moved to the 1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML) where he was the Chief of Endemic Disease and Biological Warfare Section. His additional duties included the 1st AMLs Antiterrorism Officer, CBRN Defense Officer, Safety Officer, and the S8. In 2014, LTC Heipertz moved to Fort Bliss, TX to be the Deputy Chief of Microbiology at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC). Shortly after arriving, LTC Heipertz was by-name requested to be the PROFIS Microbiologist to the 1st AML where he deployed for Operation United Assistance, the DoD response the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Upon return to WBAMC, LTC Heipertz served as the Chief of Microbiology/Immunology and the Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program until 2017. Next, LTC Heipertz attended a 1-year Fellowship at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reviewing applications for Microbial Diagnostics as well as Viral Vaccines. Following the Fellowship, LTC Heipertz moved to the Office of Regulated Activities (ORA), US Army Medical Research and Development Command, serving in multiple positions including the Deputy Director of ORA. In 2021, he moved to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases where he served as the Chief of Business Innovations and Programs within the Research Programs Office.
LTC Heipertz awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 OLC, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal with 1 Star, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Superior Unit Award with 1 OLC. He holds the 5Y Civil Defense Officer, 8X Army Medical Department Acquisition Officer, and 8Z Medical Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Additional Skill Identifiers and is an Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner.
LTC Heipertz and his wife Erica were married in 2010 in Hershey, PA and have children Ella and Caleb.