UPCOMING EVENTS:

6-9 April 2010

Information Gathering at the Front Line: Critical Perspectives on Soldiers as Gatherers, Analyzers, and Users of Situational Information

Co-Hosted with California State University, San Bernardino

Indian Wells, CA

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11-13 April 2010

Biological Communication Workshop

West Point, NY 

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29 June- 4 July 2009

Sunbelt XXX Conference

Riva del Garda, Trento, Italy

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Monthly Newsletters:

Network Science Center Feb 2010

Network Science Center Jan 2010

Network Science Center Dec 2009 

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Opportunities:

Cadet Do and Dr. J. Kenneth Wickiser perform research

Cadet Woo Do, Class of 2011, and John Kenneth Wickiser, Ph.D, assistant professor of Chemistry and Life Sciences, work in a lab in Bartlett Hall Feb. 2. The pair is developing an RNA-based drug that will stop painful bone spur growth in the limbs of amputees, and eliminate the painful treatment process of grinding down those spurs to treat the condition. Do, a life sciences major, hopes to branch in the medical corps and become an Army doctor. The study, being done in conjunction with scientists from the Office of Naval Research and Carnegie Mellon University, is expected to last 18 months. (Photo by Sgt. Vincent Fusco/Dir. of Public Affairs & Communications)

Cadet Corner February 2010

 Cadet Woo Do 

With one year left before he graduates from West Point, Cadet Woo Do has his eyes set on medical school. The work this third-year cadet is doing with NSC's Biological Networks team is already giving him a taste of what to expect. Cadet Do, whose hometown is Everett, Washington, has been working with NSC's Dr. Ken Wickiser on research that has potential benefits for combat veterans who have lost limbs. Cadet Do, in collaboration with the Hollinger laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University, is assisting in the development of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) therapeutics to address heterotopic ossification in combat veterans who have had limbs amputated. The typical surgery results in painful bone spurs that grow at the site of amputation. Cadet Do is assisting in the development of a drug that it is hoped will knock down the expression of the genes associated with this uncontrolled bone growth process. "When soldiers are injured in theater and require amputation, there tends to be some uncontrolled bone growth at the site of amputation for the lifetime of the individual. This growth, called Heterotopic Ossification, is very painful and requires surgery to manage it. Scientists in the Hollinger lab at Carnegie Mellon University have created a gel that can be mixed with a drug and then injected into the skin. This gel is degraded naturally by the body and while it is broken down by our enzymes, the drug it carries is delivered to the site of injection over a long period of time. The system provides a safe way to deliver a drug to a pinpointed location and precludes the requirement to inject the patient numerous times at the site of amputation over the course of the treatment," explains Do. His work with Dr. Wickiser has attracted much attention, including the media. An article that focuses on the relationship between Cadet Do, as a cadet researcher, and Dr. Wickiser, as a faculty mentor, is expected to be published soon. It was partly for educational opportunities such as his work with NSC that drew Cadet Do to West Point, but also, he chose the military academy because he believed it "would afford me the unique opportunity to develop myself as a leader and to live for a cause much greater than myself." And he certainly has proven to be a leader. Cadet Do is a finalist for one of the prestigious Truman Scholarships, given by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation to college juniors who show exceptional leadership potential.  During his time as West Point, Cadet Do has learned the value of camaraderie and cooperation. "By no means is the West Point route of academic, military, and physical development an easy one. But it sure does mean a lot to have great friends you can count on working with you along the way. West Point humbles you by demonstrating each and every day that success is in no way the product of a singular effort," he said. Cadet Do is majoring in life sciences and psychology and in addition to his goal of becoming a military doctor, he hopes one day to play a role in medical research and in the development of healthcare policies for the U.S. When not busy with his studies, he enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. He also enjoys running, wrestling and weightlifting.

HeraldNet article about Cadet Do here