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ARPA Institute, ARÓA HIMNARG NEWSLETTER LRAPYR December 2010, Vol. 17 Tygdympyr 2010, : 17 Address: 18106 Miranda St., Tarzana, CA 91356, Tel: 818-453-0618

Analysis Research & Planning for Armenia

Genomics is the high tech future in genetics that includes medical conditions is of utmost importance. Armenia gene cloning, gene discovery/characterization, gene and currently has no advanced DNA testing facilities. Lebanon, protein expression and characterization, oligonucleotide Georgia and Azerbaijan each have one, Turkey and Iran synthesis and DNA sequencing. Proteomics is a related have several, but Armenia has none. This is unacceptable. technology that involves protein separation and If Armenia is to become a viable and competitive economy characterization and high-resolution 2D gel in this highly competitive global market, we need to make electrophoresis. De-novo sequencing for protein and sure that it is equipped with the most advanced peptide mass spectrometry and gene expression analysis, technological facilities and has the necessary highly trained using Gene Chip technology with cDNA-based arrays also personnel. Hence, given the fact that DNA technology is require DNA technology. In addition, population genetics, one of the most widespread and useful technologies of the to determine the origin of species, as well as various future, Armenia should not lag behind in this arena. On the agricultural and other areas use DNA technology for contrary, Armenia should be the center of excellence, when research into new product development. DNA technology it comes to higher/advanced technologies, both in practical is also being applied to invent the future high power logic and in theoretical aspects of developments. gates. Thus, rather than encoding signals in high and low voltages, these genetic circuits encode signals in high and In a similar manner, Armenia being one of the most ancient low concentrations of short DNA molecules. The chemical countries of the world, with its numerous known and logic gates that perform the information processing are also unknown treasures of the past millennia of human history, DNA molecules, with each gate a carefully folded complex archeology, architecture and anthropology, etc., the world of multiple short DNA strands. Scientists have been able to should be able to see what Armenia has, how ancient it is construct gates that perform all the fundamental binary and how advanced a country it has been. That can be done logic operations, such as AND, OR, and NOT, the building through the use of modern technologies, the internet and blocks for constructing arbitrarily complex logic circuits. software technology. ARPA has also started another useful These new approaches could help enable a new generation program, whereby all the museum articles, national of technologies for embedding "intelligence" in chemical monuments, newly excavated treasures can be archived and systems for biomedical applications and bio-nano- presented to the world through a well designed and technology. developed program that makes watching the national treasures of Armenia a cinch. We are working with the The human genome can be best described as a 2.85-billion- Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Antiquities of the letter-long text written in the DNA language of living cells. National Academy of Sciences and the Museums of It uses four letters G, A, T, and C which are encrypted into Armenia to start on a unified approach towards the 64 possible triplet words called codons. This DNA based implementation of a universal program of archiving and language is used by all living organisms. The challenge is presenting all of our ancient treasures to the world. A the development of the technologies to use this information software engineer in Syria has developed such a program in a cost-effective manner. Genotyping methods are being for Syria. He will lead the effort placing his software on the improved in order to increase throughput by at least two disposal of Armenia. The program will be evaluated by our orders of magnitude to enable pharmaceutical, ARPA experts, who will develop a plan for its biotechnological and academic research to uncover implementation in coordination with the right associations between genetic variants and diseases. To institutions/bodies of Armenia. bring this innovative DNA sequencing and genetic screening capabilities to Armenia and train the right cadre If you can contribute in any of these projects please to allow the discovery of genetic aspects of thousands of contact ARPA Institute at [email protected].

Page 1 ARPA Institute Lecture Series' Summaries For Jan. differs from the generally accepted periodic 2010 to Dec. 2010, Held in the Merdinian Armenian characterization of Armenian history. It stresses two major Evangelical School Auditorium in Sherman Oaks, CA. aspects: the cyclical nature and the apparent gradual consolidation of Armenian identities. Further investigations 1. Gregory E. Areshian received his Ph.D. from the Saint- may confirm or disprove these findings. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) Institute of Archaeology 2. Lucina Agbabian Hubbard has presented talks at of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. He directed the seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics related excavations of several archaeological sites and participated to the Armenian musical culture. She is adjunct instructor in other archaeological field projects in Armenia, Syria, at USC Thornton School of Music, was lecturer in the Georgia, Egypt, and Central Asia. He is the author of more Ethnomusicology Department at UCLA, in the Teachers’ than 130 publications mostly concerning Near Eastern, Training Program at La Verne University, and has been Armenian, and Caucasian history and archaeology from singer and artistic director in concerts of Armenian music Late Prehistory to the Modern times, and also social in diverse venues in North America. Her lecture was on theory. He authored and edited four books. Since 2007, he "Armenian Musical Culture in Retrospect". She outlined has co-directed the Dvin and Areni UCLA Joint Projects in the scope of creative contributions to the Armenian culture Armenia and continues to participate in the Mozan-Urkesh by the colorful gusan/ashughs and their vocal–instrumental Project in Syria. Dr. Areshian presented his lecture on performances; the intuitive improvisations on traditional "Amenian Identities In Ancient And Medieval Histories". folk songs of the Armenian peasants in the context of every He argued that identities are inseparably related to past day rituals; the rich yield of sacred music by monastic experiences of individuals and social groups: from families hymn composers of medieval centuries, and the daring and clans to nations. Reflecting the self-positioning of steps taken by contemporary composers in the people in specific broader socio-cultural contexts they are westernization process of the nation's music. Featured were hierarchical, dynamic, and an individual or social group the reciprocity between these diverse styles with musical may combine together components of different identities. examples and the role of the general public in the Nowadays philosophers studying this subject stress the Armenian musical culture. major distinction between identity at a time and identity 3. Jason Paul Kazarian received a B.Sc. in Computer across time. This distinction is especially salient across Science with a Mathematics Minor from California State other humanities and social sciences. A very large amount University, Dominguez Hills; and a M.Sc. in Computer of research is carried out on the subject of contemporary Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. His project identities but relatively few explore their historical areas include accounting, embedded systems, fund raising, transformations. Armenian Studies are not an exception. geographic information systems, medical databases, During the last two decades a substantial research effort message processing, navigation, software porting, real-time has been devoted to the study of modern Armenian identity systems, satellite control, simulation, telecommunications, and only a handful of works discussing its historical telemetry reduction, training, user interfaces, and web trajectory were published. The lecture discussed the causes marketing. Most recently, he was the Executive Director of of that disparity and the importance of a long-term an Information Technology training academy in Gyumri, perspective. It addressed the origins of Armenian identity Armenia. Jason presented a lecture on "Agriculture, and the sociopolitical, economic, linguistic, demographic, Education, Information-Technology: Critical Sectors For and territorial aspects of its formation and transformations. Armenia's Economy". Based on recent long-term work Special attention should be paid to the roles of social elites experience in the Republic of Armenia, a high-level in the construction of identities, yet the extreme examination of public and private efforts in the constructivist position must be rejected. Several agricultural, educational, and technological economic consecutive periods in the transformation of Armenian sectors was offered. For each sector, the current state and identity were identified and analyzed: (1) from the Early the foreseeable future state, and reflection on each sector's Iron Age (ca 1000 BC) to the end of the Post-Achaemenid unique challenges were discussed. Additionally, he Period (early 2nd century BC); (2) the Artashesian Period presented a subjective analysis on how the Diaspora can (2nd - 1st centuries BC); (3) the Arshakuni and Marzpanate engage with Armenian businesses and non-government transformation (ca 224 - 670 AD) - period of formation of organizations in promoting Hayasdan's growth in these the main traits of the Modern Armenian national identity; sectors, thus advancing the economy and enhancing life in (4) the Bagratuni and Seljuq period (9th - 12th centuries) - Armenia. dilution of Armenian identity; (5) the Cilician Period (12th 4. Hrayr S. Karagueuzian received his B.Sc. in 1969 in - 14th centuries) - formation of the Armenian Diasporan Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the identity; (6) from the Great Lazarian-Arghutian Damascus University, M.Sc. in 1972 in Pharmaceutical resettlement (1828-30) to the present - resurrection of the Biology and Ph.D. in 1978, both from Columbia Armenian national identity. This approach substantially University, New York, NY. Since 2007, he has served as

Page 2 the Director of the Translational Arrhythmia Research by all parties. New U.S. archival documents in the form of Section, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of official U.S. diplomatic correspondences and memos Medicine at UCLA, and since 2009 (July) as Professor of hitherto unprocessed will be presented that detail Turkey's Medicine (Step VI), Division of Cardiology David Geffen organized attempts to cash in on the victims' life insurance School of Medicine at UCLA. Previously, he directed the policy benefits and theft of their bank accounts and Basic Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Cedars-Sinai valuables deposited in various Ottoman Bank branches. Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Karagueuzian is a NOTE: An analysis of these newly declassified documents member of numerous international committees, editorial by the speaker are now published in a book coauthored by and review Boards of international journals and Yair Auron & entitled: A perfect Injustice: Genocide and publications committees and societies. He is the recipient Theft of Armenian Wealth (Transaction, 2009). Copies of of numerous research, technical and scientific awards, the book are available for purchase by interested attendees. grants and honors, as outstanding investigator and 5. Armine Koundakjian received her degree in Chemistry scientific researcher. He holds five patents in the field of and has studied methodical teaching in the USA, taught Fibrillation and Defibrillation. Hrayr is the author of over chemistry for several years and has actively participated in 130 technical papers, 20 chapters in books, and numerous and is a member of numerous Armenian political and abstracts, review articles and letters to the editors. His cultural organizations in the Diaspora. Ms. Koundakjian research and technical capabilities has led him to pursue has authored several articles on auxiliary teaching methods the study of U.S. archival documents and memos related to and is the creator of an educational auxiliary game for the life insurance policy benefits and the theft of the bank teaching Armenian synonyms. Armine and Sarkis accounts of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Mahseredjian presented a lecture on "Repression of Ottoman Turkey. He is the author of and has served as the Armenian Repatriates During Stalin's Era". The atrocities committee chair of ARPA Institute's "Health Education and experienced by and the ill fate of thousands of Armenian Lifestyle Program" (HELP), which has been (and is still repatriates to Soviet Armenia during Stalin's regime, who being) implemented in Armenia and Artsakh, when he was were exiled to Siberia and forced into labor camps between on the Board of Directors of ARPA Institute, 1994-2004. the years of 1920 and 1953, were presented. The historical He presented his lecture on "Dollar Diplomacy & the research addressed the circumstances and the mechanisms Armenian Genocide", where he stressed that, except for a that were utilized to deport innocent people to the Siberian short period after the end of the First World War, Turkey marshlands and will include charts, statistics and has consistently denied that it ever conceived and interviews with survivors of the treacherous gulags. The employed a policy of intentional destruction of its presentation discussed recordings of three in-person Armenian citizens during 1915-1923. For Turkey, an survivors and data collected at the National Archives of overwhelming motive to cover up the centrally conceived Armenia. and implemented ethnic cleansing is to prevent tarnishing 6. Dr. Varoujan Gorjian received his B.S. in Astronomy the sacred image of the "New" Turkish Republic and its from the California Institute of Technology in 1992, and founding leader Mustapha Kemal. Modern Turkey is his M.S. and Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from packaged and sold to the Turks as a government distinct UCLA in 1994 and 1998, respectively. He has worked at from the previous "terrorist" regime of the Committee of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 1998 and is a scientist Union & Progress (the Ittihadists) whose leaders were involved in numerous projects related to the Spitzer Space convicted and sentenced to death in absentia by the Turkish Telescope as well as work on Education and Public Military Tribunals for their role in committing the mass Outreach programs. His interests cover a wide area, murder. Turkey's disclosure of these facts and those ranging from the study of active galactic nuclei (AGN) responsible for the carnage will also expose Mustapha with emphasis on determining their intrinsic luminosity Kemal as a war criminal who himself was sentenced to and their fueling mechanism, the infrared and radio death in 1920 in absentia. The unjust enrichment realized imaging of young star forming regions (which may be the by the Turks through the massive theft of the victims' sites of globular clusters in formation), to the determination wealth is a contributing factor which preempts recognition of the cosmic infrared background (CIRB) in the near and acknowledgment. For the victorious Allies of World infrared spectral region, to help constrain the history of the War I, acknowledging the massacres as "Genocide," with cosmic star formations. His presentation on "Viewing the later UN-mandated moral, legal and financial Black Holes: from Mt. Aragats to Space" explained one of obligations would de facto violate West's initial pledge the most amazing phenomena in astronomy. Yet black made in 1923 to "renounce any and all financial claims" holes themselves don't emit any light, but their presence against Turkey. These financial deals directly involved can be detected as material falls into them and emits very Genocide money. Later Turkey's membership to the NATO bright radiation. A key catalog of this emission from alliance and its increasing lucrative arms contracts with the around black holes was made at Byurakan Astrophysical U.S. further hardened and perpetuated the policy of denial Observatory on Mt. Aragats and is known as the Markarian

Page 3 and his Ph.D. in 1996. He is currently on the Academic Board of the Zoryan Institute; Editorial Board of the Armenian Review; Advisory Committee of the Caucasus and Central Asia Program (U. C. Berkeley); and on the Academic Board of the Center for Contemporary Armenian Studies (Paris, France). His most recent publication is "Armenian Demography, the Homeland, and the Diaspora: Trends and Consequences" in Arméniens et Grecs en diaspora: approches comparatives. Dr. Astourian is working on a book on the origins of the Armenian Genocide, using sources written in eight languages and archival materials from half a dozen countries. He presented his lecture on "Armenian Demography, the Homeland, and the Diaspora: Trends and Consequences", where he analyzed the post-genocide evolution of the Armenian population in the world. He focused on significant trends, such as the concentration, or emigration, of the Armenian population from the homeland, fertility rates in the homeland, and the geographical distribution of the Armenian population in the world. Based on these trends, the lecture drew some conclusions about the evolution of the Armenian Diaspora communities in relation to Armenia itself and the sociopolitical consequences of trends that started emerging in the 1970s and were reinforced in the 1990s. On the whole, the lecture was a reflection about the radical transformation of the Armenian Diaspora and the future of Armenia. 8. Mr. Harold Avedis DeMirjian is a graduate of the University of Southern California, School of Engineering, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in petroleum exploration and production technology, and has worked for the Getty Oil Company and its predecessors for over 30 years. He has also served as Vice President of two European Subsidiaries of the Getty Oil Company. He has pioneered, developed and refined a highly successful enhanced oil recovery process known as Thermal Recovery. He is retired since Pictures from the 2010 ARPA Lectures in the 1985. He supervised an international group, funded Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School in through the USAID and charged to explore the oil and gas Sherman Oaks, CA production potential of Armenia. He is a founding member and treasurer of the ARPA Institute, has served on the Catalog. This catalog has been an important steppingstone Boards of Directors of the Haigazian University, Armenian in understanding super-massive black holes at the centers Evangelical Schools of Southern California and the United of galaxies known as Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). The Armenia Congregational Church of LA, as well as on AGN in the Markarian Catalog have been studied by numerous committees of community organized action astronomers using telescopes from all over the world as groups. He presented his approach to organize the Diaspora well as in space. The state and understanding of AGN from one step at a time, through a system of councils, like personal work, using the Spitzer and Hubble Space "United Armenian Council of Southern California". The Telescopes, and the historical contribution that Armenian lecture investigated the desirability and practicality of astronomers have made to this field were reviewed and uniting the of Southern California by creating a discussed. central body, called "The Council". Representatives from 7. Dr. Stephan Astourian is the Executive Director of the all groups and religious, benevolent, cultural and political Armenian Studies Program at the University of California, organizations would be invited to form the Council. An Berkeley. He received his Licence (B.A.), Maîtrise (M.A.) outline of the most practical course of action was presented and D.E.A. from the University of Paris I (Sorbonne). and a strategic plan discussed to achieve the objectives. (Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies), both summa cum laude, The personal involvement of the Southern California Page 4 Armenian community leaders was especially solicited and awarded the Polished Apple Award, he has educated and their direct recruitment sought to join in the work towards trained a whole generation of professionals working in the making the long time dream of having a united Armenian fields of chemistry, biology, and medicine. In 2008, he body become a reality, one step at a time. received the Outstanding Faculty Award, the highest award 9. Ms. Sara Anjargolian, a documentary photographer given by the university in recognition of excellence in and attorney focusing on visual storytelling and faculty research. Also in 2008, Dr. Melikyan was elected humanitarian projects that seek to drive social change, Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Armenia. In 2010, he received the prestigious Jerome Political Science/Public Policy, and then with a Juris Richfield Scholar Award. Dr. Melikyan's research was Doctor degree from U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. Sara extensively covered by the media, including the reputable joined the Justice Department in Washington D.C. and Chemical and Engineering News magazine. As an expert, worked there until 2002, after which she lived in Armenia for many years he was involved in protecting the American for two and a half years, traveled extensively throughout public from harmful chemicals and environmental the region, and photographed the country and its people, pollutants. The lecture was based on Dr. Melikyan's newly while serving as Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at published book, which provides compelling evidence on the American University of Armenia law department. Sara antioxidants, foods, supplements, cosmetics, and natural is currently touring with her new book of photography compounds and their potentially harmful effects to the "How We Live: Life on the Margins in Armenia". Sara's human body. It questions the current paradigm of choosing lecture, photography presentation, screening of a short food items and arms the general public with critical documentary, and book signing covered two topics: labor knowledge that will allow them to make educated choices migration from Armenia to the West and life on the when it comes to exposing their bodies to harmful margins of society in Armenia. The labor migration chemical compounds. When dealing with consumables, the project, titled "Not Here: The Story of Nine Separated author puts forth the novel concept of "presumption of Families", documents the lives of nine families living guilt: A chemical compound, of any origin, is considered to between Los Angeles and Armenia. One person within be harmful to the human body ("guilty"), until proven each family has left Armenia in search of work and is now harmless ("innocent") by qualified, independent parties". living and working in Los Angeles to support his/her He also champions two novel, groundbreaking concepts family back home. The project explores both the that, if adopted by the society, will allow for the transition breadwinner's new life in Los Angeles, and the lives of the to a science-based food consumption. The focal points of family he/she left behind in Armenia. The second project, the lecture was green tea, coffee, sunscreen lotions, hair "How We Live," documents the current poverty crisis in color, antioxidants, supplements, and parabens, which are Armenia. For the first time in over a decade, poverty is on widely used in cosmetic formulations. the rise in Armenia, with 28% of the population living below the poverty line according to a 2009 World Bank report. Through stories and images, "How We Live" ARPA Board of Directors and Officers in 2010 explores the socio-economic basis upon which poverty exists and is perpetuated, and simultaneously seeks to!shine H. V. Panossian, Ph.D., President, Technology a light on lives that might otherwise pass quietly into A. Gharakhani, Sc.D., V. President, Software/Technology oblivion. H. Aintablian, Ph.D., Secretary, Technology 10. Gagik Melikyan is a Professor of Chemistry in the A. H. DeMirdjian, M.S., Treasurer, Energy/Petroleum Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California M. Tashjian, Ph.D., Health, Executive Director, Armenia State University Northridge (CSUN) in Los Angeles. He earned his Ph.D. degree from the Institute of M. Babian, D.D.S., Health Elementorganic Compounds in Moscow, and D.Sc. degree H. Boghosian, Ph.D., Technology from the Institute of Organic Chemistry, National G. Injejikian, M.A., Education Academy of Sciences of Armenia, in Yerevan. He is an R. Kendirjian, M.S., Finance internationally recognized expert in the field of radical G. Melikyan, Ph.D., Chemical Technology chemistry. Being a highly cited author, his research has P. Narguizian, Ph.D., Science/Education culminated in 77 papers, reviews, and book chapters on radical organic and organometallic chemistry, transition A. Runge, MT (ASCP), Health metal-mediated chemical transformations, computational V. Shahmirian, Ph. D., Medical Technology chemistry, natural product syntheses, and non-steroidal V. Vorperian, Ph.D., Power Electronics hormones. Dr. Melikyan discovered four new organic reactions, and delivered 53 presentations at national and international conferences. A devoted educator who was

Page 5 ARPA Institute is now accepting applications for the 2011 Invention Competition Please go to http://www.arpainstitute.org/Invention%20Competition.html for details

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D0k;7 Òrof7 Armyn Ko[ar3an5 Fiziga Dr. Bruce Boghossian Handing out an Award D0k;7 Òrof7 Òol Nargizyan5 Biodyqniga Certificate to a University Student in Armenia D0k;7 #agop Òanosyan5 Ga-awarman Dyqnologia Page 6 Dr. Panossian & his wife travel to Armenia every year, system that will archive each and every museum article, spending many days for ARPA, free of charge to ARPA. monument or items of antiquity in Armenia. If ARPA is able to facilitate approval of such a proposal by the executors of all the museums and antiquities in Armenia, Armenia Trip Report, by Hagop Panossian Mr. Abajian agreed to make his software program available During my trip to Armenia from October 10 to November for use in Armenia and to personally work on 10, 2010, I had the opportunity to meet with several implementing this program. important dignitaries and intellectuals. These included the deputy Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Ara On a third new project, Dr. Kapo Danadian of New York, Avetisyan; the Minister of Economy, Mr. Nerses who is a supporter of ARPA Institute, informed me that he Yeritsyan; the deputy Ministers of Economy and Culture; would like to donate 100 Diabetic testing devices (worth the vice president of the National Academy of Sciences of over $10,000) to be used in the villages of Armenia. I Armenia (NAS); and the president of the State Engineering inquired about the best way to distribute these devices and University of Armenia (SEUA). I also met with the heads found an organization called "the International Women's of the State Education and Science Committee, the Institute Club (IWC)", which performs such activities in the villages of Archeology and Ethnography, the Institute of of Armenia, to be the most fitting for such a task. One of Microbiology, the Institute of Biotechnology, and the the leading members of the IWC is our own Executive Director of the Sardarabad Museum, as well as many Director, Dr. Madeleine Tashjian. The devices will be sent university faculty members and staff. to her through the United Armenian Fund shipments and she will make sure to deliver them to those in need.

I made arrangements to meet with the appropriate leaders and administrators for the above mentioned two new initiatives to find the best strategies and to identify the necessary steps to accomplish these ventures. Below is a summary of these meetings and discussions:

On October 11, 2010, I had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia, Vache Kirakosyan, head of the High and Information Technologies department. Discussed were issues related to new developments in the high tech industry in Armenia, especially the Microsoft Innovation Center at the SEUA. Mr. Kirakosyan suggested that ARPA work with the head of the center, Ms. Eva Dr. Panossian & Dr. Ara Avetisyan, Deputy Minister of Enkibaryan. Education & Science of Armenia On October 11, 2010, I also had a meeting with the head of the foreign relations department of YSU, Prof. One important finding was that Armenia does not have a Alexander Markarov and discussed with him details about modern DNA laboratory for the purposes of medical the ARPA awards ceremony and a lecture on "Innovation, testing, forensic analysis, population genetics and research, Invention and How to Turn an Invention into a Marketable while Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and other middle-eastern Product". countries all have the best available. I decided to explore the possibility of the creation of such a laboratory in Armenia and discussed the need and approach with several people, especially those institutes and centers in Armenia Here's An Easy Way To Help ARPA Institute that have anything to do with DNA testing and analysis. ARPA Institute will earn a penny every time you search the Internet, and a percentage of every purchase you make While in Lebanon, I met a software engineer, Vicken online will go to support our causes if you use Abajian, who works on development of software for Syria GoodSearch.com as your search engine and select ARPA intended to archive all the antiquities and monuments of Institute as your preferred charity. You can also use the country. When asked if such a program will work for GoodShop.com for your online shopping to send 37 Armenia, he responded, "definitely". He even proposed to percent of each purchase to ARPA! Go to adapt this program for Armenia's museums and antiquities http://www.goodsearch.com and enter ARPA Institute as the charity of your choice. on his own, without pay. He will only need a few specialists in software to work with him and create a usable

Page 7 On October 12, I met with the President of the State acting Dean of Engineering of AUA. We discussed the Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA), Prof. "Invention Competition" and the Awards Ceremony, which Vosdanik Maroukhyan, in his office and had long was scheduled on October 15 at 3:00 pm in the Balian Hall discussions about the "Distance Learning" and the of the Yerevan State University (YSU). I invited them to "Invention Competition", as well as ways and means of attend the ceremony. Also discussed were ways of cooperation and steps that need to be taken to make these cooperation between AUA and ARPA and how the events more encompassing. I also visited Prof. Laert university can participate in the distance learning events. Hovhannissyan, Pro-rector for financial and student They were very interested in helping ARPA disseminate activities and social programs, in his office and asked him the Invention Competition announcement to as many about the design and list of equipment needed for their university students as they can, as well as publicize the planned "Energy Efficiency" laboratory. He promised to seminars. They promised to attend the awards ceremony. complete and give it to me in a few days. On October 15, the "Invention Competition" awards On October 12, I also met with Prof. Levon ceremony was held in the Balian hall of the YSU. Present Yepiskoposyan, the DNA specialist in the Molecular were the participating students, their advisors, Dr. Bruce Biology Institute of the NAS. We discussed his interests in Boghosian and Dr. Aram Hajian of AUA, our Board population genetics and his research activities in the member, Mr. Gabriel Injejikian, our Executive Director in Institute. Also discussed were the need for advanced Armenia, Dr. Madeleine Tashjian, and my wife Ani along instrumentation and equipment for scientific studies in with other guests. The day started with my opening Armenia. He indicated that he and everyone in Armenia remarks, thanking those present and congratulating all have to send their DNA samples abroad to be tested, and he students who participated in the competition and their uses the test results from these tests to publish his research advisors. I also discussed the competition criteria, how the work. He promised to work on a proposal that will describe evaluations are carried out and the winners have been all the necessary equipment and tools for a modern DNA selected, as well as the rules for participation. Then I laboratory and describe the activities, which such a lab will formally announced/launched the competition for next year support and benefit the various centers that carry out and announced the names of the participants and their advanced DNA analyses. He will also include the prices, advisors to come to the podium and receive their which he surmised would not exceed $500K. certificates. The students were called upon to briefly On October 13, I had a meeting with the vice President of present their inventions and they were handed their the NAS, Dr. Yury Shoukouryan, in his office on 24 certificates, or awards if they had won. This year our Baghramyan Blvd. I introduced ARPA Institute and its "Invention Competition" evaluating committee did not find activities to him and discussed the need to cooperate with any of the inventions worthy of first place; so, awards for NAS, the various institutes and their leaders. second, third and fourth place winners were handed out for the sum of $1000, $600 and $400, respectively. On October 18, I met with Gurgen Hakopyan, President of the Gyumri Technopark and discussed their need for a Polycom unit to be used as a means for their students to benefit from the ARPA Seminars. Gurgen was very interested in the "distance learning" seminars and presented a series of topics that their specialists and students are interested in. He will keep us informed. On October 19, I met with Academician Vladimir Barkhoudaryan, head of the Division of Armenology and Social Sciences, to discuss the new venture of e-archeology for Armenia. He suggested that I discuss the matter with the head of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Dr. Pavel Avedisyan. On October 19, I met with Tigran Segoyan and Hayk Yesayan of the Armenia Renewable Resources & Energy Dr. Yury Shoukouryan & Dr. Hagop Panossian, at Efficiency Fund. I discussed with them the possibility of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia preparing an independent list of equipment and tools that will be necessary to build a modern "Energy Efficiency" laboratory within the SEUA, as well as prepare a general On October 14, I had a meeting with Dr. Bruce design for it. They promised to send it to us. Boghosian, the newly elected President of the American On October 21, at 9:00 am, a videoconference was held University of Armenia (AUA), and Dr. Aram Hajian, the in the SEUA to discuss the "Distance Learning" seminars.

Page 8 to work on a proposal and even a business plan and send it to us as soon as possible. On October 26, at 11:00 am, I met with Dr. Pavel Avedisyan, the head of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of NAS, who informed me about the activities of the Institute. I then presented him with the idea of e-archeology to see if there is any interest from their Institute. He was very enthusiastic about e-archeology and wanted ARPA to help him develop the software that can be used to archive all newly excavated antique articles in Armenia. He was anxious to start the process of electronic archiving, even if the Ministry of Culture, which is the main Ministry in charge of all antiquities and monuments in Armenia, may not get involved at this time. He promised to talk with the Deputy Minister of Culture, Ms. Arev Dr. V. Sahakyan & Acad. Dr. Y. Shoukouryan Samuelyan, and see if there is any interest from their side. attending the videoconference at the SEUA On October 30, I attended the Digitech Expo held in the Demirjian Sports Arena. There were over a hundred high tech companies, some local and some international, Present were, from the NAS, Dr. Yury Shoukouryan, vice presenting their services. Microsoft, National Instruments, President of the NAS, and Dr. Vladimir Sahakyan; from Synopsys, Sun Microsystems and many other international the YSU, Artur Avagyan, Armen Sargsyan, Natalya firms were there. The Prime Minister and Danielyan, Seda Arakelyan, Sahak Kaghyan and Paruir the Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan visited each of Varderesyan; from the SEUA, Prof. Vosdanik the booths and were presented with information about the Maroukhyan, Prof. Norik Haroutiunyan. Jora Manucherian services offered. presented slides and discussed the plan for implementation and expansion of the "Distance Learning" program and the steps needed to achieve our goal. It was suggested that we create a "Memorandum of Understanding" that all parties involved sign, which will be used to coordinate these seminars. On October 22, at 2:00 pm, I visited the Molecular Biology Institute of the NAS and met with the Director, Dr. Anna Boyajian and her coworker Levon Yepiskoposyan. The details of their activities were presented and they stressed the need for an advanced DNA Laboratory in their facility, since they insisted that their center carries out the most advanced DNA analyses in Armenia. They promised

The Digitech Exposition at the Demirjian Sports Arena, Yerevan, in November 2010

On November 1, I met with the Director of the Luys Foundation, Ms. Jaqueline Karaslanian. Luys is an organization under the auspices of the and receives funding of over $1.5 million a year to provide 50% of the total expenses of students of Armenian descent, from Armenia or abroad, who are admitted into any of the top 20 international universities in Europe or the USA. Ms. Karaslanian works with the Harvard Business School to create business networking Drs. Levon Yepiskoposyan, Anna Boyajyan & Hagop with the universities of Armenia, and also with MIT to try Panossian at the Institute of Molecular Biology Page 9 On November 2, Mr. Levon Thorose and I presented a lecture on "Innovation, Invention and How to Get an Invention to become a Marketable Product" in the YSU Balian Hall. Present were about 30 students and professors. Also present was Prof. S. Gevorkyan, the inventor of the vibration-sensing device that Levon is trying to get funding for from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, to develop it into a product for use in military applications. Levon presented this invention and the steps he and Prof. Gevorkyan have taken to get to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The main objective of the lecture was to promote inventiveness and to show the students the steps required to create inventions. On November 2, at 4:00 pm, Prof. Yepiskoposyan and I visited the Children's Hospital in Nork, where we met with Dr. Panossian with Dr. Jaqueline Karaslanian of the the Director, Dr. Nikolay Dallakyan. He was also very Luys Fund of Armenia, at Her Office. enthusiastic about a modern DNA laboratory, which he was sure will help the hospital with various children's diseases. He showed us children with various birth defects to make Armenia part of their Distance Learning programs. that he thought were caused by genetic disorders. She was enthusiastic about the work that ARPA does in On November 3, there was a distance-learning seminar on Armenia and was willing to work with us. "Turbines", which was presented from Los Angeles and On November 1, at 6:00 pm, Dr. Madeleine Tashjian, projected to the engineering hall of the SEUA in the ARPA's Executive Director in Armenia, and I had a presence of over 30 students and six professors. It was meeting with the Minister of Economy, Hon. Nerses delivered by Khachig Demirjian and monitored by Jora Yeritsyan and his deputy, Mr. Vahe Danielyan. Discussed Manucherian. At the end of the seminar, there were several were the "Invention Competition", the "Distance Learning" comments and questions from the students. They all program, the newly initiated DNA Laboratory and the e- thought that the seminar was very useful. archeology projects. He was very interested in the work that ARPA is doing and encouraged us to carry these programs out, promising to help, if needed. He gave orders to his deputy, Mr. Danielyan, to arrange meetings with deputy Minister of Culture, Ms. Arev Samuelyan, to discuss the e-archeology project, and work with the student associations of the universities to publicize the seminars and the Invention Competition.

Distance Learning Seminar at the SEUA

On November 3, at 4:00 pm, I met with Vardan Vartazaryan, the Chief of Staff of the Medical University of Armenia. Discussed were the Distance Learning Program and the DNA Laboratory. He appreciated both initiatives and promised to present it to Dr. Gohar Kyalyan, L to R, Vahe Danielyan, Dep. Minister of Economy, the President of the University, and to let me know if she Arev Samuelyan, Dep. Minister of Culture, P. would be willing to see me. Engibaryan, CEO on EIF & Dr. Panossian

Page 10 On November 4, I visited the AGBU Virtual University Center on Alec Manougian Street, with Dr. Varoujan Masarajian. The Director presented the various courses and teaching facilities they were using and informed us of the over 900 students participating in the school system from all over the world. On November 4, at 5:00 pm, I visited the Civilitas Foundation and met with the founder, former Foreign Minister of Armenia, Mr. Vardan Oskanian. I presented to him the ARPA activities, of which he was very supportive, encouraging us to continue to expand. We discussed various issues, including Diaspora-Armenia relations and how Armenia can make use of the human potential of the Diaspora. His attitude was that Armenia does not have representatives of the Diaspora in the current government, and so the Diaspora does not have any contributions in AUA Students & Faculty Attending the Lecture on resolving the issues facing Armenia. He suggested that Innovation and Invention; November 6, 2010 Diaspora organizations, especially the larger ones, should always point out to the current administration all the undesirable prevailing political and legal practices within the country, especially the monopolistic approach of the "Oligarchs". On November 4, I visited the newly established Biotechnology Center of NAS and met with the Director, Academician Dr. Ashot Saghyan. He called upon his colleagues, and we discussed the DNA Laboratory Project, which they liked very much and insisted that their center was the most fitting for the Laboratory. On November 8, I visited the Erebuni Hospital Otolaryngology/ENT Center with Ms. Salpy Akaragian (our former board member and the current President of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIMF)) and met with Dr. Arthur Shukuryan, the Director of the Center. The AIMF is starting a 3 year program in the hospital to train SEUA Students Attending the Lecture on experts for cochlear implant operations, which will be Innovation & Invention; November 9, 2010 taught by Dr. Akira of UCLA. They thought that our Distance Learning program fits their needs perfectly. Marketable Product" at the SEUA. I also presented the However, they need to use the Polycom equipment once or ARPA Invention Competition announcement and discussed twice a week for 3 years. I suggested that they may have to the conditions and criteria for participation. Present were purchase the equipment for their constant use. about 120 students and professors. Also present was Prof. On November 8, I presented the lecture on "Innovation, S. Gevorkyan, the inventor of the vibration-sensing device. Invention and How to Get an Invention to Become a Once again, I used Levon Thorose's briefing and Prof. Marketable Product" at the AUA. I also presented the Gevorkyan's invention as the example. I discussed in detail ARPA Invention Competition announcement and discussed the Technology Readiness Levels of inventions and how to the conditions and criteria for participation. Present were use them to decide how ready an invention is to become a about 50 students and professors. Also present was Prof. S. marketable product. There were a few questions and the Gevorkyan, the inventor of the vibration-sensing device. I students seemed to be very interested. On the question of used the briefing that Levon Thorose had prepared and how many think that they have an invention to present, used this invention as an example of the steps he and Prof. only a couple raised their hands. Gevorkyan have taken to get to higher TRLs. I discussed in On November 9, at 3:00 pm, I visited the Genetics detail the TRLs of inventions and how to use them to Faculty of the YSU with the Head of the Science and decide how ready an invention is to become a marketable Technology Committee of the , product. Dr. Samvel Haroutiunian. Also present were Dr. Rouben On November 9, I presented the lecture on "Innovation, Aroutiounyan, the head of the Applied Molecular Biology Invention and How to Get an Invention to Become a Department, and Dr. Eva Dalyan, the Head of the Page 11 Department of Genetics. They claimed they have the most advanced DNA analysis center in Armenia and that the Please don't forget to make your tax-deductible DNA lab should be located within the YSU premises. I donation to ARPA Institute. explained that such a lab should be an independent center for free use by all the universities and research centers of ARPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, ID Armenia, and that the main objective is to create the No. 95-4423297. experts of the future in DNA technology, which will be one of the most important technologies of the future. Dr. Please cut and enclose this slip with your donation Harutiunyan agreed and thought that the lab should be and send to: under the control of his Science and Technology Committee. That way, it will not be claimed by any center or university and will be used by all parties doing research Mr. Harold DeMirjian, ARPA Treasurer in DNA. He agreed to coordinate the proposal effort and to 13100 Addison Street present chapters on the activities of each of the centers and, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 if possible, even a business plan to send to us. Name & Address: ______

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