199 
MEMORANDUM 
Date: June 26, 1972 
From: Research microbiologist, CNSSB:C&FR, NINDS 
Re: Alpha Helix Expedition, 18 September thru 18 November 1972 
To: Associate Director, C&FR, NINDS 
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you with information on the 
NINDS research expedition aboard the research vessel Alpha Helix . 
Background : The Alpha Helix is a research vessel operated by the Scripps 
Institute of Oceanography, under the auspices of the National Academy of 
Sciences and the National Science Foundation. Although used in a wide 
variety of research studies, the ship's major contributory function to 
medical science is the deployment of mobile, versatile and sophisticated 
modern clinical and laboratory facilities in remote and frequently 
inaccessible areas of the world. At the present time the Alpha Helix is 
operating in Antarctica. Funds for the operation of the ship are derived 
from a grant from the National Science Foundation and include the 
necessary support for transportation and work of scientists participating 
in research expeditions. 
From the middle of July until the middle of November, with the approval 
of the National Science Foundation, the Scripps Institute has programmed 
two expeditions. The planning phases for thse studies began in January 
1971. The first, designated Solomon Island "A” Expedition , under the 
direction of Dr. Albert Damon, Professor of Anthropology, Harvard 
University, will take place during the period of July 27th to September 
11th, 1972. These studies are designed to collect anthropological and 
medical research data, including a study on bone age by x-ray 
diffraction. 
At the request of the Director of Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the 
National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation, Dr. D. 
Carleton Gajdusek, Chief of our Central Nervous Studies Branch, has 
organized and will head the Solomon Islands *'B'' Expedition , scheduled for 
the period of September 18 to November 18, 1972. Dr. Gajdusek has 
selected the following scientific personnel for participation in this 
expedition: 
NIH D. Carleton Gajdusek, M.D. 
NIH Paul W. Brown, M.D. 
NIH Richard A. Ferber, M.D. 
NIH Stephen Wiesenfeld, M.D. 
NIH Mrs. Judith Meyer 
NIH Clarence J. Gibbs, Jr., Ph.D. 
University of Western Australia, 
Perth: Michael Alpers, M.D. 
Sr. Scientist and Expedition Leader 
Ship Physician and Expedition Medi- 
cal Officer 
Asst. Expedition Medical Officer 
I* !• •! •• 
and Geneticist 
Research Cinematographer 
Research Microbiologist 
Neurologist /Epidemiologist 
I 
