Research!America

If, in 2001, you were old enough to grasp the enormity of what happened that cloudless Tuesday morning, you’ll never forget the circumstances in which you first heard news of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

The most hyperbolic adjectives failed to encompass the sum total of feelings in the immediate aftermath of the attacks in New York; Arlington, VA; and Shanksville, PA. Most commonly, it seems, was a sense that our world had changed, suddenly and completely.

A decade on, those feelings were right. What aspect of our lives remains untouched by 9/11?

Travel, personal freedom, our government … each changed because of the events of 9/11, to say nothing of the direct and indirect personal loss.

Even our focus, scientific research, has changed. In the days leading to this weekend’s anniversary, several media outlets have focused on how science and research has changed. Among them:

• The Scientific American, with a piece earlier this week, looks at the rise of biodefense, forensics and cybersecurity.
• Slate looks at the skyrocketing number of neuroscience research projects and why it matters to homeland security.
• The Huffington Post reports that psychologists have turned to a new approach, Psychological First Aid, as a way of staving off post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The Crimson White, a student-run newspaper at the University of Alabama, profiles three students and a professor on their recollections of 9/11. Most telling is the profile of Walter Enders, PhD. “Before 9/11, I was pretty much going to wind down my research on terrorism. I’d been at Iowa State for about 25 years and had written 20 papers at that time,” Enders told the paper. “I came [to Alabama] and thought, well, that’s the end of that. I really didn’t think I’d be working on terrorism here, but then 9/11 happened, and suddenly there was a huge demand for terrorism research.”
• MetroWest Daily News features the contributions of Natick Labs – or, more formally, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center – and the research being undertaken there, which helps protect soldiers on the front lines.
• Medscape Today interviews James A. James, MD, DrPH, on his role as director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response. CPHPDR is a program of the American Medical Association, a Research!America member.

Reading and reminiscing about 9/11 serves as sort of mental period piece; in unearthing the memories of that day, we’re transported back to our feelings and our own perspective of how the day unfolded. Here’s how Research!America reacted; our Annual Report from 2001 focused on homeland security and this column, from our president and CEO, Mary Woolley, ran in the first newsletter we published about the attacks.

In the difficult days following the attacks of September 11th, many of us are asking ourselves, “what can I do to help?” and “where do I/my work/my organization fit in?” The outpouring of help for the rescue and recovery effort has been nothing less than inspirational, and nowhere has that been more true than among the people and institutions who are committed to health. Research!America is proud to be standing side by side with those of our colleagues and partners who have and continue to help on the front line.

We at R!A have been taking stock of our mission and programs in light of the recent tragedy. We are fortunate to have a solid, up to date strategic plan to draw from at our upcoming October 16th board of directors meeting, R!A Chair Hon. Paul Rogers and I will communicate R!A’s future plans to the entire membership. Until then, we offer the following thoughts.

Investment in research has always been a good use of America’s resources; assuring steady progress in achieving better health and quality of life, and contributing to the nation’s prosperity. In times of crisis, when national defense is also at stake, the importance of research – not only in health, but in all the sciences – is more important than ever. It is time for every member of the research community to step forward and participate fully in the tasks of assuring both homeland security and improved global health and quality of life. R!A is prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder in a new mobilization of science to protect the nation.

So much has changed. But as we pause to remember that day, contemplate from where we’ve come and wonder to where we’re headed, let us never forget.