Richard Bauman Email and Phone Number

Currently, I am supporting the human blast research that CDR Josh Duckworth, MC proposed and is directing.

ADVANCE, LLC is a small company that is represented by the unique and overlapping skillsets of a biochemist, pharmacologist, physiologist, neuroscientist, and a specialist in veterinary surgery. The two principal objectives of ADVANCE are shaped by the spine and brain injuries that result from exposure to explosions on the battlefield. The first is to use controlled explosions to characterize comprehensively injury to the brain and spinal cord and disruption of neurologic and memory functions. The second is to use this characterization to develop products that will mitigate or prevent these injuries. Currently, a preclinical characterization of the extent to which standard immobilization of spine casualties and the shocks and vibrations of ground medical transport might exacerbate blast injury to the central nervous system. Two potential products are (1) a recommended modification in the standard of care for spine casualties and (2) an improved transport platform that will immobilize safely the neck and lower spine while dampening the shocks and resonant vibrations of transport. Although our primary customers are the Marine Corps, NAVY, and Army, the future goal of ADVANCE is to be responsive to the needs of the civilian medical community and support projects that will improve Homeland Security.

As PI of the WRAIR large animal blast program, a more effective preclinical model of blast injury to the central nervous system was developed and used to characterize blast wave injury to the structure and function of the brain and the neurologic, sensory, and memory impairments. A modified version of this model will soon be used to support the development of products by ADVANCE.

Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians in a research effort that focused on the blast physics and biomechanics of blast wave injury to the brain. Tests were performed in an explosive driven blast tube, an exact reconstruction of the crew compartment of a HMMWV, a 4-wall structure, and in and on the ground. The systemic physiological data, histopathological findings, and the kinematic and sensory and memory tests revealed that the blast wave alone can injure the brain and impair neurologic and sensory/memory function. Blast physics and biomechanical data suggested that direct transmission across the skull is one route of entry into the closed head cavity. A survey of these findings is published in the 2009 special blast issue of the Journal of Neurotrauma.

Studied and screened:(1) impariments of rodent physiology and behavior resulting from exposure to sustained stress (1) the efficacy of hemoglobin base oxygen carriers in models of hypovolemic shock(2) methemoglobin formers as treatments for cyanide toxicity(3) drugs that were potential neurotherapeutics for traumatic brain injury and seizures resulting from exposure to nerve agents