177 
Date: April 7, 1972 
To: Acting Associate Director, C&FR, NINDS 
From: Assistant Administrative Officer, C&FR, NINDS 
Re: Proposed expedition of Dr. D.C. Gajdusek on the Scripps Institute of 
Oceanography research vessel Alpha Helix 
Before Dr. Gajdusek’s recent departure for New Guinea I believe he briefly 
discussed with you an opportunity for him and some members of his staff to spend 
a period of approximately two months working on studies of viral diseases in the 
Southern Solomon Islands from the research vessel Alpha Helix . In Dr. 
Gajdusek' s absence I feel you may want some background information on this 
trip. 
After some preliminary discussions with Theodore H. Bullock, Chairman, 
National Advisory Board for R/V Alpha Helix , William A. Nierenberg, Director, 
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Mr. Walter Garey, Co-Principal 
Investigator, R/V Alpha Helix Program, Mr. Nierenberg on February 22, 1971 
advised Dr. Gajdusek that his proposed research program on studies of viral 
diseases in the Southern Solomon Islands had been approved and that a schedule 
was being developed for the Alpha Helix with the aim of providing the requested 
amount of ship time in the desired season and locale as requested. This 
approval was based upon continuing support of the Alpha Helix operations by the 
National Science Foundation. In a letter from Mr. Garey of May 4, 1971 Dr. 
Gajdusek was advised that the National Advisory Board of the R/V Alpha Helix 
heartily endorsed his proposal for virus research on natives in the Southern 
Solomon and Northern New Hebrides Islands and assigned a time period in the Fall 
of 1972; 9 September through 8 November 1972. This letter also requested the 
submission of a budget, including requests for scientific equipment, supplies, 
and estimated transportation charges for personnnel and their supporting gear. 
On October 21, 1971 Dr. Gajdusek submitted to Scripps the requested budget which 
totaled $42,304. On February 15, 1972 Dr. Gajdusek submitted the names of ten 
investigators as candidates for the expedition. This listing has now been 
revised and will be detailed later in this memorandum. The itinerary which has 
been agreed upon between Dr. Gajdusek and Mr. Garey is as follows: All 
personnel for the expedition will be flown from Bethesda, Maryland to Honiara on 
approximately 8 September 1972 where they will board the Alpha Helix . The 
vessel will then proceed as follows: 
Bellona 
Rennell 
Vanlkoro 
Tikopia 
Cherry (Anuta) 
Ureparapara 
Loh 
Tegua 
Hlu 
Torres Group 
Vanualava 
Motalava 
Me rig 
