faculty and students drawn from throughout the science and engineering departments at FSU has developed unique computational, analytical and experimental capabilities in the fields of composites and nanotube research. A National Science Foundation funded multi-institutional Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) in this technology has recently been established at FSU, partnering with Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Its core research programs are nationally recognized and supported by over 40 companies and federal agencies. Operating under the leadership of FSU research faculty, the academic-industry-Army team will develop, validate and implement those technologies to transition nanotubes from the laboratory into applications such as those associated with the Army's future combat systems (FCS). FSU is seeking $5M for this new and important activity through the Army University and Industry Research Centers Program Account (PE0601104A). US Navy Training, Performance, and Expertise The study of expertise is aimed at eliciting the mechanisms and practices underlying an expert performance. Expertise consists of a vast knowledge structure in the form of neural networks and synapses, which enable cognitive operations such as attention and concentration, anticipation, problem solving, decision-making, and motor execution to be performed skillfully and effortlessly. Recent research has been devoted to the functions and mechanisms underlying the performance of teams. In addition to individual superior performance, explicit and implicit communications and coordination are needed for a team to perform as an expert unit. The Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University proposes to focus with the Navy on expert performance in individuals and teams in the US Navy. More specifically, the studies which will be conducted for the Navy are sequential in nature and are focused on the following issues: Defining expert performance criteria for critical roles/tasks for the Navy; developing valid tools for expert performance examination in both "real-life" tasks and simulated conditions in the laboratory; defining and developing procedures for the examination of "distributed cognition (ie., team functioning)," in selected tasks; developing procedures to examine communication and coordination of teams in the Navy in real and simulated conditions. LSI/FSU will also develop practices to attain individual and team expert performance and will develop simulation laboratory for training individuals and teams to attain expert performance. Florida State University is requesting $5 million from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Warfighter Sustainment/Applied Research Account (PE0602236N) to undertake these efforts for the Navy. Army Performance and Training The Army Training Support Center (ATSC), an element of the Army Training "objects" for the Army. They have been working for just over a year with the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University to develop expertise in object-oriented analysis and design, automated design support, and human performance analysis. FSU, in collaboration with the ATSC, is currently conducting research into a new methodological framework that incorporates both human performance analysis and object thinking. Initial research efforts began on this project at the end of 2002 and have progressed rapidly; our review committee made up of leaders from industry, academia and the DOD's ADL initiative has favorably received the work. We intend to extend the object and performance thinking into the delivery and evaluation of training and performance support. In addition, through refining and field-testing our software prototypes, we will shape a vision for the future of automated design support within the military. We are requesting additional funding in the amount of $4M in FY2004 to continue our efforts with the Army Training Support Center through the Army's Manpower/Personnel/Training Technology Account (PE 0602785A). Research on Chiropractic Care at Designated Military Treatment Facilities The Naval Defense Authorization Act provides active duty service members the opportunity to be treated by a chiropractic health care provider for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions if referred by their primary care manager at one of the designated military treatment facilities. Florida State University is actively developing a new School of Chiropractic and is establishing interdisciplinary research with health related programs and faculty within the University. Chiropractic, Sports Medicine and Exercise Science investigators at FSU will conduct three projects in collaboration with the Jacksonville Florida Naval Hospital Chiropractic services site in order to evaluate the effectiveness of chiropractic care on the health and readiness of Navy and Marine Corps personnel in their performance of peacetime and contingency missions. These three projects include: Testing and Evaluation of Protocols for Referral for Chiropractic Services, Outcomes Research on Chiropractic Services and The Influence of Various Training on Approach The Nature and Occurrence of Musculoskeletal Injuries Presenting for Chiropractic Services. FSU is requesting $1.5M for this activity in FY04 from the Navy/ RDT&E Navy/ Medical Development (PE#0603706N) account. Mr. Chairman, this is just a few of the many exciting activities going on at Florida State University that will make important contributions to solving some key concerns our nation faces today. Your support would be appreciated, and, again, thank you for an opportunity to present these views for your consideration. (Clerk's Note: The following statement was submitted for the record by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey:) TESTIMONY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY OF NEW JERSEY PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS The following is the testimony of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the largest freestanding public university of the health sciences in the nation. We appreciate the opportunity to bring to your attention two priority projects the Center for BioDefense, and the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center -- which are consistent with the mission of this committee. - The University is located on five statewide campuses and contains three medical schools, and schools of dentistry, nursing, health related professions, public health and graduate biomedical sciences. UMDNJ also comprises a University-owned acute care hospital, three core teaching hospitals, an integrated behavioral health care delivery system, a statewide system for managed care and affiliations with more than 200 healthcare and educational institutions statewide. UMDNJ is home to the International Center for Public Health, a strategic initiative that has created a world-class infectious disease research and treatment complex at University Heights Science Park in Newark, New Jersey; the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School National Tuberculosis Center, a model TB Prevention and Control Center funded by the Centers for Disease Control; the Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens at the New Jersey Medical School, which serves as a focus for infectious disease research; the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), a joint venture of UMDNJ and Rutgers University, recognized as one of the nation's leading environmental health programs; and a statewide system of Level I and II Trauma Centers. In addition, UMDNJ plays a dominant role in providing continuing education, outreach and other assistance in all aspects of emergency preparedness and response. Basic and applied research among the UMDNJ campuses directly addresses the biomedical implications of biological and chemical weapons and appropriate response in the event of their use. UMDNJ's scientific and academic expertise has positioned us to develop a comprehensive program to combat chemical and biological terrorist attacks. With the strong support of this committee, UMDNJ has achieved over $9 million in Congressionally directed appropriations over the past four years to develop a Center for BioDefense in New Jersey. This funding has enabled the Center to develop statewide and national efforts to combat chemical, biological, and other terrorist threats with programs focused on research, education, training, public health, and emergency response. Beginning in 1993 with the first incident at the World Trade Center, through the Anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001, New Jersey has been affected by and was a target of terrorism, both directly and indirectly. As the nation's most densely populated state, and home to a myriad of high technology, pharmaceutical, radiological and chemical industries, New Jersey is vulnerable to the potential for further terrorism to occur in and around our state. The Center for BioDefense is actively involved in many critical areas to meet the needs of the state, UMDNJ Testimony Subcommittee on Defense April 16 - Page 2 Congressionally directed appropriations of $4.2 million secured for the Center in Fiscal Year 2000, 2001 and 2003 are being utilized to develop novel strategies for detection of biological weapons agents. Through proposals accepted by the U.S. Army Medical Defense Research Program, scientists at the Center aim to develop faster, more efficient methods of identifying specific infections. This work is vitally important in protecting all Americans, especially in the event of multiple and simultaneous use of biological weapons. Infections by many of the agents of bioterror show similar symptoms during early stages. Furthermore, during early infection, it is often difficult to isolate the infecting organism to detect its presence. Traditional methods of testing for these diseases can take days to weeks. Using cutting edge microarray (DNA gene chip) technology, researchers at the Center are developing gene markers to detect the presence of these agents in human blood samples - within hours of the initial infection. This research could lead to highly reliable and rapid testing to be used by military and civilian forces to help determine the presence and identity of disease. We have made excellent progress in carrying out the experiments approved by the Department of Defense and the US Army. During the first year of funding, we opened our state-of-the-art Biosafety Level Three (BSL-3) laboratory, equipped the genomics laboratory, and began the infection experiments. To date, we have performed these experiments with the causative agents of tuberculosis, anthrax, and glanders. Data acquired from these experiments are being used to develop and test additional custom DNA chips for use as novel diagnostic tools to provide early warning of infection by select agents. The Center's research program has attracted state and national attention. Its Biosafety Level Three facility serves as back up to the state labs in the event of another biological attack. In addition, the Center is a key player in a $60 million grant proposal submitted to the NIH as part of a consortium to establish a Regional Center of Excellence (RCE) in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Because of the Center's reputation as a regional center of expertise on biodefense issues, it was asked by such exemplary institutions as Yale University, Columbia University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook to join them in addressing the biodefense research agenda of NIAID through this comprehensive RCE application. UMDNJ respectfully requests funding of $2 million for the Center for BioDefense to further its basic science investigations into the development of early warning technology for biological warfare agents, and for other research relating to the human genetic response to infection by select agents. In addition to research, the Center for BioDefense is playing an increasingly important role in all other areas of counter-terrorism and biodefense activities within the State of New Jersey and UMDNJ Testimony April 16 - Page 3 year 2002 are establishing a novel statewide system of resources and expertise to enhance the capabilities of New Jersey's emergency responders to react to and mitigate the effects of terrorism, mass casualty incidents, and other high-impact events. The Center's Incident Support and Operational Planning (ISOP) unit trains and educates first responders, assists with emergency operations planning and exercising efforts, and is strategically locating specially equipped (mass casualty) vehicles in each region of the state to ensure prompt and effective deployment of these resources and subject matter experts in the event of a large scale emergency. Helping to bridge the gap where training is lacking, the Center is taking a lead role in making New Jersey the best prepared, with the most educated first responders. Since the fall of 2001 the Center has conducted more than 200 training sessions in all regions of the state. The Center recognizes that the definition of first responders has expanded and has targeted paid and volunteer EMS and fire departments, law enforcement, public health professionals, nurses, and school professionals, among others for training and educational sessions. Novel and unique programs have been and are being developed to approach the concepts of domestic security and preparedness from new and innovative angles. As part of this effort, practical lessons in epidemiology, surveillance and other public health issues are provided to local and state officials through the Center's "Public Health War College" to enhance their capabilities to effectively plan for and respond to public health emergencies. UMDNJ respectfully requests additional funding of $3 million for the Center for BioDefense to expand the Center's training and education programs. Requested funds would be utilized to continue and broaden the reach of the Center's ISOP unit, including the introduction of cross-disciplinary training programs to forge more common understanding of the scientific issues and incident response issues that relate to homeland security across different population groups. Our second priority is the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center (GPCC), established at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick, the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in New Jersey. The goal of the Center is to eradicate prostate cancer and improve the lives of men at risk for the disease through research, treatment, education and prevention. The Center was founded in memory of Rep. Dean Gallo, a New Jersey Congressman who died of prostate cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage. Prostate cancer is a devastating health problem in the nation and in the state of New Jersey, which continues to experience one of the highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer, other than skin cancer, among men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer-related death among men. The American Cancer Society estimates that 189,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 30,200 men will die of the disease in 2002. Statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control in 2002 placed New Jersey fourth in the nation for the rate or |