Influential leaders hold high-level discussions on biomedical S&T initiatives

Influential leaders from the medical and research communities held high-level discussions on biomedical science and technology (S&T) initiatives at the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Sept. 16.

"ONR's relationship with naval medicine is very important, most visibly with the Marine Corps component because of the physical demands required on the battlefield," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr. "This meeting of the minds allowed us to engage on a wide range of topics. We had an opportunity to align our thoughts on delivering cutting-edge medical solutions to warfighters."

The one-day event featured a lineup of dynamic senior Navy leaders, including Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson Jr. and Rear Adm. Matthew Nathan, commander of Navy Medicine National Capital Area and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

ONR has a successful track record of providing Sailors and Marines with medical advancements. Most recently, a breakthrough was made in undersea medicine regarding a new capability for examining how cells work at pressures far below the sea surface. This innovative "patch clamping" technique bridges a gap to understanding and identifying potential applications to guard against decompression sickness during military diving operations.

Medical S&T efforts at ONR are executed under the organization's Force Health Protection (FHP) research portfolio. Some initiatives under the FHP umbrella include developing new practices, procedures, medical devices and pharmaceuticals for improved personnel performance; casualty prevention; fatigue countermeasures; and combat casualty care.

"This joint opportunity positions ONR to move forward together with the Navy and other medical stakeholders that are essential to improving the future health and fitness of the Navy and Marine Corps," said Dr. Terry Allard, ONR's director of warfighter performance.

In the coming weeks, ONR researchers will continue their medical S&T dialogue with Nathan, who has been tapped to become Robinson's replacement as Navy surgeon general.